We have managed all the funds from the programme - we have about 3.4 thousand signed contracts for subsidies for the amount of PLN 9.1 billion from the European Regional Development Fund. Of this amount, 43%, or approximately PLN 3.9 billion, are projects already completed and accounted for. The remaining projects are at the final stage of implementation or in the process of final settlement - 81% of the programme's funds have already been approved in requests for payment to the European Commission

- summarised Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak, Deputy Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy.

For entrepreneurs

In the area of entrepreneurship, 100 per cent of the funds reserved for this purpose in the programme have already been distributed. Approximately 3500 entrepreneurs, including 1400 start-ups, received the support. Thanks to the subsidies and implemented investments, entrepreneurs have created about 3000 innovations and established approximately 4200 jobs.

Transport investments

44 contracts for subsidies were signed for co-financing investment in modern transport infrastructure. Their value is approximately PLN 4.2 billion under the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund).

In the area of sustainable urban transport, five of 14 projects in progress have been completed to date. The implementation of the remaining investments, due to their complexity, is still in progress but passengers are already benefiting from eco-friendly and available buses, trolleybuses and trams, new bus lanes and cycle paths. New smart transport systems are also in operation which help to control traffic in cities, facilitate the monitoring of street conditions or enable real-time passenger information at bus/tram stops.

The implementation of 28 road investments has been completed, of which 27 projects have already been accounted for. The last two projects, implemented by the Podkarpackie Voivodeship and the City of Kielce, will be operational by the end of 2023.

European funds from the OPEP also provide support to the railway. Out of 9 ongoing projects, with an ERDF value of approx. PLN 1.7 billion, two have already been completed and accounted for (in the Podlaskie Voivodeship: LK 52 on the section Lewki - Hajnówka and LK 32 on the section Białystok - Bielsk Podlaski/ Lewki). Another two investment projects are already completed in material terms - their settlement is in progress (in the Podlaskie Voivodeship: LK 31 on the section from the border of the voivodeship to Czeremcha - Hajnówka and in the Lubelskie and Podkarpackie voivodeships: LK 68 on the section section Lublin - Stalowa Wola Rozwadów including electrification).

Also in the other projects, despite ongoing investment work, trains are already running on modernised routes on most sections and travellers can use new and rebuilt terminals, stops and stations. Modernised, state-of-the-art and railway stations accessible for persons with special needs are in operation in Białystok, Bielsko Podlaskie, Czeremcha, Siemiatycze, Skarżysko-Kamienna, Nidzica, Szczytno and Olsztyn (Olsztyn Zachodni railway station), and soon in Olsztynek. Construction of the new Olsztyn Główny railway station is in progress.

European Funds for Eastern Poland 2021-2027

Support for the macro-region of Eastern Poland will continue in the coming years under the European Funds for Eastern Poland programme. It will serve to consolidate conditions conducive to economic competitiveness and a higher quality of life in six voivodeships of Eastern Poland: Warmińsko-Mazurskie, Podlaskie, Lubelskie, Świętokrzyskie, Podkarpackie and regional Mazowieckie  (i.e. excluding Warsaw and its nine surrounding districts).

The programme will provide funding for projects addressed to business, adapting cities to climate change, the development of low-carbon urban mobility, the protection of biodiversity, the development of smart energy distribution networks, increased rail and road accessibility and the development of sustainable tourism. The budget of the European Funds for Eastern Poland programme for 2021-2027 amounts to PLN 12 billion 428 million.

Read more about the new programme at www.fepw.gov.pl.