The Forum for Bieszczady was hosted by Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak, the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, Ewa Leniart, the Governor of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship and Władysław Ortyl, the Marshal of the Podkarpackie Voivodship.

The Bieszczady Mountains require special support to better utilise their potential. To this end, the then Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy launched the Bieszczady Programme almost five years ago. Today, we can be proud of effective measures fostring their development

- said Deputy Minister, Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak.

Looking at the enormous potential of the Bieszczady Mountains, it is impossible to ignore that it will be possible to release it mainly by good connection with other areas of our country. At the same time, the preservation of the natural environment, historical and cultural heritage of these areas must be kept in mind. Much has already been done in this regard, but a lot of work is still necessary. Therefore, meetings, joint talks and discussions are important allowing to develop a strategy of cooperation, work out standards comprising all activities and initiatives that will help to boost the development of the region

- said Ewa Leniart, the Governor of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship.

The Programme focuses its activities around four axes:

• Close Bieszczady means a safe way to school and work, quick connections to regional cities as well as fast and safe access to Bieszczady for tourists.
• Bieszczady for Inhabitants means access to social and health services, quality education and places for recreation and sport. In other words, the Bieszczady region is supposed to be a friendly place to live.
• Green Bieszczady means clean energy and clean rivers and Lake Solina.
• Entrepreneurial Bieszczady means activities aimed at creating a comprehensive and competitive tourism brand in the area.

We estimate that projects implemented in the Bieszczady Mountains or directly contributing to their development have been supported with the amount of about PLN 1.69 billion (excluding the construction of Via Carpathia on the territory of the Podkarpackie voivodship)

- the Deputy Minister added.

Sources of funding for the Programme include EU funds from the 2014-2020 perspective, funds from the state budget and the Local Government of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship.

The effects of the Bieszczady Programme were achieved thanks to large government investments, implementation of the Podkarpackie Voivodship Development Strategy by the Voivodship Board, support of EU funds, but above all the determination and commitment of project beneficiaries.

As one of the successes of the Programme activities, Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak cited the construction of the S19 expressway between Rzeszów and Barwinek, a section of Via Carpatia. She also stressed the importance of road investments on DK 84 Sanok - Krościenko and DK 28 from the Małopolska side to Medyka and the border crossing.

The social measures of the Programme, as presented by the Deputy Minister, include the support for nursery care, pre-school education, health care infrastructure, vocational training and the education of adults, including seniors, in the scope of digital competence.

Jarosińska-Jedynak indicated environmental initiatives such as the support for Bieszczady greenery or the progress in water and sewage management, as well as the protection of surface water and the development of renewable energy as successes of the activities carried out under the programme.

The deputy minister of the MDFRP also highlighted investments that foster the development of the region's tourism potential.