On June 12–13, 2025, the Silesian Aviation Cluster and the Czech Aerospace Cluster co-hosted a two-day Learning Expedition to Silesia, gathering industry professionals, innovators, and stakeholders from across Central and Eastern Europe.

The event aimed to foster cross-sectoral collaboration, technology exchange, and SME empowerment through site visits, expert discussions, and targeted networking sessions in one of Poland’s most dynamic industrial regions.

The events were held as part of the IDEALIST project, in which APPAU is a participant. Given the specifics of this meeting, APPAU was represented at Lex in Katowice by Olena Prokopenko, who’s a partner in the Ukrainian Cluster Alliance and a representative of the United Innovative Space Clusters.

Day 1: Industrial Innovation and Future-Focused Dialogue

The program kicked off with a visit to Urządzenia i Konstrukcje S.A. (UIKSA) in Żory — a company renowned for its engineering solutions in mining, energy, tourism, and construction. Participants gained a first-hand look at the firm’s production lines and integrated industrial innovations.

This was followed by an engaging networking and pitching session at the SkyPort Skills Center, where participants showcased their companies and explored potential collaborations.

Two parallel thematic panels further deepened the dialogue:

• Session A: Interactive Foresight – Industry Futures: An exploration of emerging signals and trends shaping aerospace, energy, and mobility across Europe.
  
• Session B: Digital Technologies and Beyond – From Ideas to Business: Insights into accessible digital tools for SMEs, with a strong focus on drone technology and its rising impact on the aerospace sector.

Day 2: Research, Robotics, and UAV Technologies

The second day focused on advanced research and defense technologies.

The group visited the Łukasiewicz – Upper Silesian Institute of Technology, which supports innovation in the steel industry, aerospace, smart mobility, and additive manufacturing (3D printing). The institute presented its cutting-edge R&D ecosystem and international collaboration potential.

The expedition concluded with a tour of Flytronic S.A., part of WB GROUP, a leader in unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Flytronic S.A. demonstrated how their expertise in mechanics, electronics, and IT positions them at the forefront of defense innovation and strategic reconnaissance systems.

Insights and Takeaways

The Silesia Learning Expedition served as a powerful platform for matchmaking, knowledge transfer, and foresight thinking. Participants returned home with fresh inspiration, valuable connections, and a shared vision of how cross-border cooperation can drive industrial competitiveness and resilience.