ASPIRE is the newly-established Association of IT & Business Process Services Companies in Poland, bringing together for the first time in one group all the major players in the region to pursue a common strategy in promoting and developing opportunity in IT & Business Process Services.

ASPIRE’s relevance is underlined by the fact that not only is IT & Business Process Services the region’s major growth sector, but Poland is also the major growth region for ITES in Central and Eastern Europe.

ASPIRE enables the industry to speak with one voice to government, educational institutions and other stakeholders, to highlight the key importance to the local economy of a sector which in the city of Kraków alone has added 16,000 new jobs in three years and whose annual export revenues measure over €640 million.

Crucially, ASPIRE speaks not only of what the industry is but also what it can be, actively engaging with stakeholders to develop the region’s potential to fully grasp future opportunity presented by the world’s most dynamically growing global industry. 

SCOPE and ACTIVITY

ASPIRE provides a portfolio of services to the IT & Business Process Services community based on three principles:

•	Lobbying and representation
•	Information sharing
•	Reputation building

1. Lobbying and Representation

ASPIRE works to open and establish effective channels of communication with local stakeholders to develop new platforms of co-operation and exploit existing opportunities to deliver change.

The Association focuses on three main areas for the development of the sector:

•	Labour market development
•	Infrastructure
•	Legal environment

In the area of labour market development, ASPIRE works with universities and other educational institutions to support internship programmes, curricula development and enterprise development. The Association also keeps close contact with regional government to influence funding for skills development and labour market analysis.  

ASPIRE works with government on initiatives where it is a major player: areas like infrastructure, laws to improve incentives to educational institutions to adapt curricula to the needs of the industry and development of new technology parks.

2. Information sharing

A strong focus is placed on industry research with key data collected from members to demonstrate the value the sector brings to the local economy and opportunities for growth.

Members participating in research are in many cases able to measure their own data against the differential. Data is collected and analysed in co-operation with trusted third party providers.

3. Search and Send Information Centre

Members are provided with regular updates on issues related to government tax, policies and rules and regulations related to the IT Enabled Services industry.

Information about European Union and government funds as they relate to the development of the sector, e.g. PO KL (Human Capital Operational Programme).

ASPIRE co-operates with third party providers to provide market information in areas such as salaries and benefits and the property market. 

Informations is also provided on new government initiatives and investments relevant to the sector. 

4. Newsletters, Position Papers and State of the Industry Reports

News about members, industry trends and ASPIRE’s own activities and initiatives - prepared in Polish for government and educational institutions. 

ASPIRE also prepares Position Papers and State of the Industry Reports. 

5. Networking events and Personal Development Opportunities

ASPIRE provides speaking and networking opportunities for members at various events, workshops, seminars and small interest group meetings in Poland and abroad.
 
Regular member meetings are organized under various forums and initiatives offering opportunities for members to share best practices and formulate new ideas for strengthening their positions.

6. Promotion of the IT sector

ASPIRE understands the benefits of taking a proactive role in the development of the domestic IT sector and the synergies of this sector with its own development.

It is engaged in actively promoting the development of the IT sector in the region, offering guidance and support to emerging small and medium companies, supporting initiatives to facilitate trade and business in software and IT services, and encouraging advancement of IT research and facilitation of IT education. 

In line with these goals, ASPIRE works with local, regional and national government to formulate policies and procedures in the IT software and services sector. 

Head Office

ASPIRE is headquartered in Kraków which is the leading centre of ITES in Poland, but supports the growth of the sector across Central & Eastern Europe.  

Affiliations

ASPIRE is proud to be a member of the Central & Eastern European Outsourcing Association.

Contact

Andrew Hallam, President

e. andrew@aspire.org.pl
m.	+48 513 077 541

ASPIRE
ul. św. Anny 9
31-008 Kraków
Poland

t.	+48 12 426 25 37
f.	+48 12 426 25 36

www.aspire.org.pl