“Pogodne Suwalki” – That is the new slogan which promotes Suwalki as a place with bright weather and cheerful people. The polish word pogodne does not only stand for good weather in meteorological terms but also in matters for business and culture. UÅ›Mich carries this positive message and it’s cute face reflects openness and friendliness. UÅ›Mich will now spread the word about Suwalki in all TiF partner regions because they all carried home the little bear logo in various forms: umbrellas, T-shirts, caps, cups, bags, calendars … and UÅ›Mich himself as a stuffed animal. The bear was designed by an independent graphic artist and the branding was support by Norwegian funds as well as TiF. Suwalki’s president CzesÅ‚aw Renkiewicz doubled the budget.
How well this campaign works out proved the „UÅ›Mich Holiday” event that took place on the 26th of January in the heart of the city, Suwalki's Constitution Park. Here locals met to watch a hockey game while the youngest inhabitants painted the little bear or took part in a dance competition. UÅ›Mich bear was all over and workshop participants could finally take the chance to really hug the bear and to feel the spirit of Suwalki.

“I am impressed how well you have done. (...) You really carry it out", commented TiF communication manager Alf Johansen on the new branding. Tabita Skerberga from Jelgava / Latvia also spoke in high terms of the successful event. “It has been a very interesting seminar and the way you brand your city is something we can learn from.”
“The things we do inspired by TiF are important for our places. TiF has been a teaching project. I learned a lot from you and I hope we learned a lot from each other”, stated project manager Bjørn Frode Moen while summing up the event. "The most important thing - also for coming projects - is that we have the politicians with us." The project manager is looking forward to the extensions stage and to the Final TiF Conference which will take place from 21 – 23 of May in Warsaw.
“The TiF project is coming to an end”, said Suwalki’s president but he hopes that basing on the experience of this project the partners will be able to come up with some new ideas for future initiatives. To work on future cooperation Jørn Christensen, mayor of Suwalki's sister city Notodden in Norway, accompanied the Norwegian delegation and made his first official visit. He took the chance to meet with politicians and stakeholders to lay the foundation for new cooperation and to continue the Polish-Norwegian partnership.

After three days in Suwalki it is proven that this is one of the coldest places of the country but it's strength are the warm hearts that fill this city with energy, creativity and happiness.

Please find attached the presentations held during the workshop.