Commission delegation led by SG RECOVER's Director-General Céline Gauer and DG ECFIN’s Deputy Director-General Declan Costello visited Warsaw on 24 and 25 June. Discussions were held on the implementation of the RRP and the future outcomes of investments under the RPP, including in the fields of green transition and social issues.

Poland was represented by the Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, and the Deputy of Development Funds and Regional Policy, Jan Szyszko. The meeting was also attended by representatives of several ministries involved in the implementation of the RPP, including the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Digital Affairs.

This meeting reminds us that Poland, with its significant allocation of EUR 60 billion, is part of one of the largest European projects – Recovery and Resilience Facility – amounting to EUR 800 billion,

said Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz , as she opened the meeting with the Commission.

Poland have undertaken a plan that combines ambitious structural reforms and investments that have a significant impact on the lives of Poles. This plan covers many sectors, including health, education, infrastructure, energy, agriculture. Despite the 2-year delay, out ambition is to do as much as possible and do it well,

emphasised Minister Pełczyńska-Nałęcz.

I see Poland catching up, introducing delayed reforms and investments under the RRP. Poland is committed to make up for this lost time,

said SG RECOVER’s Director-General Céline Gauer.

The Polish RRP helps citizens in all aspects of life – education, the fight against energy poverty, development of public transport, railways, improving air quality, access to healthcare and crèches,

said Céline Gauer.

The National Recovery and Resilience Plan answers a question of where do we stand with the energy transition. There are funds under the RRP for Polish wind power plants in the Baltic Sea. We have changed the deadlines and milestone for the installation terminal in Gdańsk that the funds from the Recovery Fund can be used to finance the construction of this port. Three service ports for these power stations will be built along the Polish coast,

emphasised, in turn, Deputy Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy, Jan Szyszko.

Status of implementation of the RRP

Poland has thus far received over EUR 11.3 billion (more than PLN 49 billion) to finance the RRP from the European Commission – EUR 3.25 billion in grants and EUR 8.14 billion in loans. Payments of grants under the RRP amounted to more than PLN 8.7 billion (as at 20 June this year).

Minister Pełczyńska-Nałęcz stressed that 35 (out of 56) investments had been launched, encompassing 49.5% of the RRP’s allocation: 31 investments financed by grants and 4 investments financed by loans. As regards 18 grant investments, agreements were signed with the end recipients of the support for PLN 28.5 billion. PLN 3.5 billion has already been paid out from the European Commission's funds (funds from the Polish Development Fund).

These figures show how much we have accelerated, how much - due to the commitment of many people and ministries of the Polish government – we are moving forward with investment projects,

emphasised the minister.

Last few weeks alone saw the launch of investments for the green transition of cities, zero-emission public transport in cities (tram purchases), investments for enterprises in products, services and staff competencies and personnel related to business diversification (in the hotel, restaurant and catering sector). A programme to support the activities of cultural and creative industries operators has been implemented, and the land-use planning and management reform has been launched.

Annual meeting with the European Commission 

The visit of the EC delegation in Warsaw is the first event of its kind whereby we join the ranks of countries such as: France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Malta, Czechia, Finland, Denmark, which have already participated in such meetings. 

The meeting was an opportunity to exchange information and experience between the institutions tasked with the implementation of the RRP. Panel debates on topics such as energy transition, environmental protection and societal resilience were attended by representatives of the European Commission, social partners, government administration, as well as NGOs and local government authorities.

The combination of reform and investment have shown results. This is a good way to know what you are investing in and to better monitor these investments. This is something that has proved to work, said Deputy Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy Jan Szyszko, who participated in a debate on the first outcomes of the RRP.

The Secretary of State stressed that the quality of investment in the long term is measured by an increase in the quality of life and a decrease in inequality between social groups and regions in the country.

This is usually measured over a period of several decades rather than year-on-year. This is the success of Poland's 20 years in the EU. With unprecedented economic growth, we have been able to guarantee the effectiveness of regional policy, said the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of the Development Funds and Regional Policy.

An investment under the RRP – crèche in Otwock

As part of each annual meeting, the EC representatives arrange a study visit in a site funded under the RRP. During their stay in Poland, they visited the municipal crèche in Otwock. Due to the funding under the RRP (over PLN 4.3 million), 120 new centres for children under the age of three have been created in the city. All children from Otwock can now benefit from crèches and childcare provided in them. 

Poland’s RRP

The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) is a programme that encompasses 56 investments and 55 reforms. It is intended to strengthen the Polish economy and make it crisis-resilient.

Under the National Recovery Programme, Poland will receive EUR 59.8 billion (PLN 268 billion), including EUR 25.27 billion (PLN 113.28 billion) in grants and EUR 34.54 billion (PLN 154.81 billion) in preferential loans. In line with EU targets, a significant share of the budget under the RRP will account to climate objectives (46.6%), digital transformation (21.3%).

On 30 April this year, the Council of Ministers adopted a resolution to amend the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, submitted by the Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy The premise underlying the RRP revision is to limit it to changes necessary for the effective implementation of reforms and investments that are particularly important for Poland's further socio-economic development. 

The RRP's revision comprises 6 of the 7 components. The revision includes 14 out of 55 reforms (10 reforms from the grant part and 4 from the loan part) and 27 out of 56 investments (18 from the grant part and 9 from the loan part of the RRP).