We are pleased to announce that, as part of the implementation of the project “Green Spirit of Activity. Hajnówka – A New Era of Development”, a bilateral agreement was signed on 7 September 2026 between the City of Hajnówka and the Association of Municipalities of the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch in Switzerland.

We are particularly proud that this is the first bilateral agreement signed among the 19 beneficiaries of the Polish-Swiss City Development Programme financed from the Second Edition of the Swiss Financial Assistance.

The established cooperation will focus on supporting the sustainable development of areas that possess valuable natural and cultural heritage. Hajnówka and the Entlebuch region are linked by their exceptional location surrounded by nature and by the need for the responsible use of local resources with the well-being of residents and future generations in mind.

The partnership creates an opportunity for the exchange of experience, knowledge and good practices between the Polish and Swiss sides. The cooperation will cover, among other things, the development of sustainable tourism, environmental and nature education, and support for the development of the local economy – in particular through the development and promotion of local products, support for local entrepreneurship, and the building of a strong and recognisable place brand. An important area will also be the exchange of experience regarding the involvement of residents and the development of cooperation with local stakeholders.

The signed agreement is the first important step in building a long-term partnership and creates space for jointly seeking solutions that will allow the unique natural and cultural assets of both regions to be combined with their social and economic development.

We are convinced that Polish-Swiss cooperation will be an opportunity for mutual learning and for the implementation of initiatives that can bring lasting benefits both to the residents and to the entire region.

Lucyna Lewczuk

Referat Przedsiębiorczości, Promocji i Turystyki

Photo: Martin Mägli, UNESCO Biosphäre Entlebuch