On September 19, during a ceremonial gala at Topacz Castle, Mayor Rafał Gronicz received from Marshal Cezary Przybylski a statuette and certificate confirming Zgorzelec’s membership among the best local governments in Lower Silesia.
As competition director Artur Świtoń, who hosted the gala, acknowledged, the jury issued its verdict without hesitation in the “international cooperation” category, selecting Gmina Zgorzelec as the leader. The award, presented by the competition’s patrons—Voivodeship Marshal Cezary Przybylski and Wrocław County Head Roman Potocki—was received by Mayor Rafał Gronicz and, at his invitation, Lord Mayor Siegfried Deinege. It is recognition of exceptional activity in cooperation with foreign partners. Polish-German sports and cultural events, education, exchanges of seniors and young people, joint projects, and the broad range of fields covered by Zgorzelec’s contacts with France, Ukraine and Greece, as well as daily relations with German neighbours, clearly distinguish the City from other Lower Silesian municipalities.
During Tuesday’s ceremony presenting distinctions and awards, which concluded the first Lower Silesian edition of the nationwide “Model Municipality” competition, 19 municipalities and 9 businesses from across Lower Silesia presented themselves. In addition to Zgorzelec, which was awarded the title of Leader of International Cooperation, the competition jury also recognised Gmina Zgorzelec’s commitment to environmental protection, awarding the City’s neighbouring municipality the title of Leader of Ecology.
Zgorzelec-related highlights were also present among the businesses. The title of Leader of Construction Services was awarded to the Zgorzelec-based company Ostal Group, founded by brothers Roman and Jarosław Ostalski, which specialises in the production and installation of, among other things, energy-efficient window and door joinery.