Last Monday, on March 10th, the Warsaw Stock Exchange hosted the official launch of the “We Did It In Poland” campaign, an initiative by the WłączeniPlus Foundation aimed at raising awareness of Poland’s technological and business achievements both domestically and across the European Union.  

A Modern and Innovative Poland 

The “We Did It In Poland” campaign, held under the patronage of Poland’s presidency of the Council of the EU, was created to promote an innovative image of Poland and encourage national pride. The campaign highlights Poland’s technological and business achievements, seeks to attract European partners and investors, and aims to raise global awareness of the country’s economic potential and successes. 

As Adam Szłapka, Minister for European Affairs, stated:  

“We are part of the European Union, with outstanding scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs competing at a global level. The […] campaign presents a modern vision of Poland, encouraging people to speak openly about the country’s successes and take pride in its progress.” 

Deputy Secretary of State for European Affairs Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka highlighted the importance of using Poland’s EU presidency to reshape the perception of Poland that still exists in stereotypes. She emphasized that this is a unique moment when all eyes in Europe are on the presiding member state. Poland aims to use this time to promote Polish business innovation. Polish people are exceptionally creative and entrepreneurial, yet research shows that even many Poles are unaware of this.

Showcasing Polish Innovation 

To counter outdated stereotypes and strengthen national pride, the campaign highlights Poland’s significant contributions to innovation. A promotional video showcases Polish achievements such as BLIK (a mobile payment system), Booksy (an online booking service), EUROLOOP electric vehicle charging stations by ORLEN, and PayEye, the first commercial eye biometric payment service in the world. 

Campaign initiator Olga Kozierowska, a member of the NGO Council for Poland’s Presidency of the EU Council, emphasized the importance of changing the national narrative. The campaign encourages public participation by inviting Poles to share their personal achievements and stories of inspiring individuals using the hashtag #WeDidItInPoland. Additionally, an online form on the campaign’s website allows people to submit notable Polish innovations worth showcasing. 

“We want to present patriotism in a broader sense – one that goes beyond landscapes and history to include innovation, achievements, and everyday life,” Kozierowska explained. 

Changing Perceptions and Building the Future 

The campaign is particularly timely, as recent studies commissioned by the WłączeniPlus Foundation, show that only 4% of Poles recognize national inventions as a source of pride, while 41% believe that Poland is still underdeveloped.  

However, economic data contradicts this perception – since joining the EU, Poland’s economy has doubled, and its standard of living now rivals that of countries such as Portugal, Spain, and Greece. If you want to know more about Poland’s growing and impressive economy, check out our dedicated page.  

Do IT in Poland  

This campaign highlights Poland’s remarkable technological advancements. At Do IT in Poland, we are committed to continuing this momentum and showing you why Poland is the perfect place to start and grow your business. 

As one of the fastest-growing economies in the European Union, Poland boasts a dynamic startup ecosystem, exceptional talent, and a business-friendly environment. From groundbreaking fintech solutions to state-of-the-art biometric payment systems, Poland is cementing its reputation as a hub of modern innovation. 

Join us in shaping the future. Do IT in Poland! 

For more information, visit the campaign website: www.wediditinpoland.eu 

Main Photo Source: Olga Kozierowska – pomysłodawczyni kampanii We Did It In Poland | PAP Mediaroom