PurposeThis paper seeks to review multidimensional aspects of local sustainable development policy in the context of governance. It aims to focus on the general conditions in Poland and to base its analysis on empirical research in selected Polish communities.Design/methodology/approachIn the first theoretical part the paper presents multidimensional aspects of governance for local sustainability. Identified barriers are the analyzed, based on case studies of local communities.FindingsThe paper shows that even if sustainable development and governance are integrated in theoretical discourses, in the practice of local policy making they are rarely considered in conjunction with each other. A lack of understanding of the importance of governance for sustainability and for local development has been identified on the practical level of local policy making. The Polish case studies show that the responsibility for governance barriers to local sustainable development is shared by local decision‐makers and local societies.Practical implicationsCreation of partnership and dialogue between the local community and government is believed to be of critical importance for local sustainable development. The relationship between local government and society can greatly enhance or obstruct sustainable development initiatives. The change towards local sustainable development requires more open and transparent decision‐making procedures that promote participation by a wide range of stakeholders.Originality/valueThe paper is another voice in the debate on governance for local sustainable development. Based on empirical examination it shows the issue of governance barriers for local sustainable development from a Polish local perspective.

The phenomenon of participatory budgeting in Polish cities shows growing awareness of citizens' role in local development. Participatory budgeting is a tool of partial empowerment of residents through local budgetary policy. A social energy released by initiatives and proposed projects allows for implementation of relevant activities that from the residents' perspective improve quality and comfort of urban life. Research problem around which the article is focused is a question to what extent an interest of inhabitants is related to projects and tasks of environmental character in their cities. The empirical part of the paper presents an analysis of participatory budgeting in Katowice, Łódź and Poznań and applies to projects reported in 2015 and realized in 2016. The aim of this article is to identify the activities of residents of the selected cities related to improvement of the quality of environment through participatory budgeting. The studies clearly show that despite the apparent differences between the cities, the participatory budgeting is an important area of creativity and innovation of the residents towards quality of urban environment.

Budżet partycypacyjny staje się coraz ważniejszym narzędziem polityki rozwoju polskich miast. Jest częścią debaty publicznej na temat roli mieszkańców w rozwoju lokalnym i budowania kapitału społecznego w samorządach lokalnych. W wymiarze aplikacyjnym budżet partycypacyjny pozwala na częściowe uspołecznienie polityki budżetowej jednostki terytorialnej. Ponadto pełni ważną rolę w edukacji obywatelskiej. Wzrost świadomości samostanowienia przez mieszkańców przynosi realne zmiany podnoszące jakość i komfort życia w mieście. Problemem badawczym, wokół którego koncentruje się treść artykułu jest diagnoza stanu rozwoju budżetów obywatelskich w małych miastach na przykładzie miast województwa śląskiego i województwa łódzkiego. Celem artykułu jest identyfikacja podejmowanych inicjatyw procesu budżetowania obywatelskiego oraz określenie ich zakresu przedmiotowego.

One of the pillars of the European Union’s Green Deal is the “Just Transition Mechanism”, which is interpreted here as providing fair access to diverse resources; above all, as a far-reaching reorientation of the approach to regional development and policy-making processes. Rooted in a normative approach to the development of just and fair place-based policy towards promoting growth in Poland, this paper aims to highlight the challenges posed by the Just Transition Mechanism in two selected Polish transition territories (Upper Silesia and Bełchatów Basin). The research methodology employs literary critical analysis along with an examination of pertinent documents, strategic plans and programs created at national and regional EU member levels. Additionally, interviews were conducted with key actors across the spectrum of the process. The authors argue that place-based policy, viewed as a new model of shaping regional policy, seeks to meet the expectations of the Just Transition Mechanism and can successfully face the challenges it encounters. The research reveals a significant gap between the analyzed transition territories in terms of knowledge and substantive preparation towards enacting the process. Visible deficits were noted in both regions concerning approaches to programming, particularly with reference to information policy and networking with partners.

Participatory budgeting has become a vital tool in making urban spatial planning more community oriented. Examination of how participatory budgeting has evolved is a pertinent subject in theoretical research and in practical applications. Projects proposed by local communities improve the quality of life in cities and enhance benefits offered by public spaces. The main goal of the paper is to present an overview and examine projects that transform public space, which have been implemented in selected Polish cities, namely in Katowice, Łódź, and Poznań within the framework of participatory budgeting exercise. Our research has demonstrated that in many cases participatory budgeting has acted as a catalyst of a variety of local bottom-up initiatives addressing public space in researched cities. It is thanks to the engaged and creative people at the local level that new functions which improve the quality of life are developed in cities.