1st joint update on the readiness, risk, and contingency planning for the 26th World Scout Jamboree Poland 2027

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Dear National Scout Organizations (NSOs) and Heads of Contingent,

Building on the WOSM Events Strategy and its strengthened approach to oversight, the World Scout Committee is pleased to present its most recent review of the readiness, risk assessment, and contingency planning for the 26th World Scout Jamboree Poland 2027. The WSC’s review, conducted on 30 November 2025, was informed by updates and inputs from the Host and the World Scout Bureau. 

As the assessment of progress and risk is currently aligned between World Scouting and the Host, this review is presented as a joint update by WOSM and Związek Harcerstwa Polskiego (ZHP) — the Host NSO — together with its Jamboree Organising Committee (JOC).

1. Current readiness and progress

Based on the latest reviews and reporting, preparations for the 26th World Scout Jamboree are progressing well and in line with agreed milestones. The Jamboree Organisation has moved from planning into active delivery, with early site works underway, permits secured, and key operational structures in place. Programme development is well advanced under the theme “Bravely,” with a clear educational framework and modular design that supports inclusive, participant-centred experiences across the campsite. 

Early registration has exceeded expectations, reflecting strong confidence and engagement from NSOs worldwide. Overall, the current level of readiness demonstrates a solid and maturing preparation process, supported by close collaboration between the Host, WOSM Support Team, and WOSM governance structures.

The progress of the 26th World Scout Jamboree, Poland 2027, is structured and monitored through the Host Organisation Agreement – Operational Requirements (HOA-OR), which translates the commitments of the Host Organisation Agreement into concrete operational deliverables, timelines, and milestones. The HOA-OR provides the primary framework for planning, implementation, and oversight across all key functional areas of the event.

The Jamboree Organisation, established by ZHP as the Host NSO, reports regular progress against the HOA-OR to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with WOSM standards. The operational requirements cover all major domains, including site development, logistics, finance, safety and security, programme delivery, communications, and governance.

As of January 2026, the HOA-OR comprises a total of 122 operational requirements, with the following status reported by the Jamboree Organisation: 45 requirements completed, 65 requirements on track, 12 requirements not yet started, in line with the agreed timeline, 0 requirements slipping or slipped.

Progress at the operational level is underpinned by a detailed task management framework, comprising several thousand individual actions allocated to specific departments and teams. This facilitates ongoing monitoring of delivery, early detection of risks, and prompt corrective measures where necessary.

2. Oversight and How Risk is Being Managed

As part of the WOSM Events Strategy, the World Scout Committee is exercising its constitutional role to supervise the organisation, execution, and governance of World Scout Events, including the authority to intervene when necessary.

The WOSM Support Team (WSB staff and volunteers) works day-to-day with the Host to support planning, identify gaps early, and align delivery with WOSM standards and timelines.

The supervision is supported through WOSM’s event oversight system:

• An independent Audit Group has been established to provide additional verification through fact-finding missions and document review, with initial audit activities planned during 2026 as part of the strengthened event oversight cycle.
   
• The Oversight group, composed of two World Scout Committee members, a volunteer with experience leading Outdoor Youth Events and the Global Director, WOSM Events.
   
• Risk items will be integrated into WOSM’s global Risk Register, with structured early-warning signals feeding into oversight and governance review.

The Host’s risk framework is reviewed on a quarterly cycle, and the key risk areas identified and actively managed are: 

• Transport provision and disruptions: Transport provision is identified as a key operational risk due to the scale of arrivals, departures, and daily participant movements between the campsite, programme locations, and off-site modules. The potential risk of insufficient transport capacity from local authorities during the Jamboree is being addressed through advanced coordination with the City of Gdańsk, complemented by built-in redundancy via direct contracting and contingency arrangements secured by the JOC. Transport planning is therefore assessed as resilient.
   
• Communication and coordination: The complexity of delivering a World Scout Jamboree requires close coordination across the Host Organisation, WOSM Support Team, volunteers, contractors, and public authorities. The risk of miscommunication or delays in decision-making is mitigated through reinforced internal communication systems, clarified decision pathways, targeted training, and strengthened staffing within the JOC Office. These measures are designed to ensure clarity, responsiveness, and continuity of operations.
   
• Unbalanced volunteer workload: Volunteer workload and sustainability are recognised as key risks, particularly as preparations intensify and transition from planning to delivery. The scale and duration of the preparations place significant demands on staff and volunteers. Volunteer wellbeing is actively monitored through feedback mechanisms, and leadership continuity is ensured through extended mandates for key executive roles. To safeguard long-term sustainability and prevent burnout, additional professional staff capacity is being introduced to absorb administrative and operational workload, enabling volunteers to remain focused on leadership, planning, and delivery roles.
   
• Sanitation and site readiness: Sanitation and overall site readiness are critical risks given the scale of the temporary infrastructure and the need to meet health, safety, and security standards for all participants. Those risks are mitigated through the early completion of critical design work, permit processes, and procurements. Works on the Jamboree site have commenced, are ongoing, and will continue in a phased and planned manner to ensure the site is fully ready well in advance of the event.
   
• Regional security environment (including monitoring related to the war in Ukraine): The broader regional security environment, including indirect effects related to the war in Ukraine, remains a key contextual risk. Mitigation measures focus on continuous monitoring rather than reactive action. The Host Organisation works in close coordination with Polish state authorities and relevant partners to assess developments and integrate updated risk intelligence into planning. Safety and security frameworks are reviewed regularly, supported by joint exercises and scenario planning, and reinforced by robust infrastructure resilience measures. Current external assessments indicate no direct or significant threat to the viability of the Jamboree, with active monitoring continuing at national and international levels.

3. Safety and Security Coordination

Safety and security planning is being developed in coordination with Polish state authorities, including a joint command structure with relevant public services (e.g., police, fire service, border guard, health services, and sanitary inspection).

Workshops have been held to clarify “who leads what” among the Host, WOSM structures, and authorities, with tabletop exercises scheduled for 2026 and a full-scale simulation planned in the months prior to the event.

4. Note for NSO and HoC decision-making
 

This communication provides WOSM and the Host Organisation’s best current assessment based on available planning information, risk review cycles, and coordination with competent authorities. It is provided to support transparency and preparedness across all Contingents.
 
Each National Scout Organization and Head of Contingent remains responsible for its own decisions regarding participation and readiness, including the information you provide to your Contingent leadership, parents/guardians, and participants, and the contingency measures you plan at National/Contingent level. 
 
This includes ensuring that Contingent Management Teams are appropriately briefed, trained, and prepared to assume leadership responsibilities in atypical or emergency situations, in line with national policies and the guidance provided by the Polish authorities, the Host Organisation and WOSM.

5. Next updates

Regular updates on Jamboree progress are provided to the WSC at all of its business meetings. Additionally, targeted briefings, updates, and dedicated engagement moments for National Scout Organisations and Heads of Contingent will continue, including planned Heads of Contingent meetings in July 2026 and April 2027. The next WOSM update of this document to NSOs and Heads of Contingents on readiness, risk assessment and contingency planning of the Jamboree is anticipated to be published towards the end of June 2026.

The Jamboree Organisation remains at the disposal of NSOs and their Contingents to respond to any questions, including via [email protected] and through other established coordination and communication channels. Questions pertaining to WOSM’s oversight processes for the 26^th World Scout Jamboree can be sent to Raül Molina, Global Director, WOSM Events, at [email protected]

Thank you for your continued partnership and leadership in preparing contingents for a safe, meaningful, and well-supported Jamboree experience.

Yours in Scouting,