On January 16, 2025, the first stage of the call for Polish towns losing their socio-economic functions came to an end. Out of 139 eligible local governments, 119 submitted Programme Component Outlines (first stage applications).

Multi-centred national development; mitigating demographic change; creating conditions for a competitive economy; and strengthening security and resilience – these are the strategic objectives of Poland's development in the medium-term national development strategy to 2035, which is being prepared at the MDFRP. The key elements of the new strategy were discussed at the Development Policy Coordination Committee meeting today.

Environmental protection, research and local development, as well as entrepreneurship and innovation, culture, justice and home affairs, education and health, and civil society are examples of areas in Poland where money from the Norwegian and EEA Funds 2014-2021 has gone to. In the third edition of these funds, we implemented almost 1,800 projects. As many as 683 projects were carried out in partnership with companies, institutions and research bodies from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

"During its upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union, Poland will continue its efforts to strengthen the cohesion issue and take it to a higher level of political discussion in the EU," the Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, said today. The Minister attended a meeting of the General Affairs Council in Brussels, dedicated to boosting the key strengths of cohesion policy in the EU.

Nearly 103,000 investments completed with EU funding of PLN 351 billion – this is the most important effect of the implementation of cohesion policy programmes in the 2014-2020 financial perspective. At the last meeting of the Committee for the Partnership Agreement 2014-2020 chaired by the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, the implementation of the Partnership Agreement was also reviewed. Deputy Minister Konrad Wojnarowski also attended the event.

The Local Development Programme comprises 29 comprehensive integrated development projects. We have earmarked approximately PLN 561 million for this purpose. As a result of their implementation, the quality of life of the inhabitants in the assisted cities has increased, and they have become good examples for other urban centres in a similar situation. As part of the programme, cities have implemented, e.g. measures on climate change adaptation, improved air quality and transport accessibility. Deputy Minister Konrad Wojnarowski attended the conference summarising the project.

The debate on the future of cohesion policy has entered a decisive phase. The Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy is actively involved in this discussion. Today, an expert seminar was held at our headquarters, during which Deputy Minister Jan Szyszko presented the "Position of the Polish Government on the role of cohesion in the EU and the future of cohesion policy after 2027".

In response to the September flooding that affected regions in south-western Poland, the government is launching a special Support Fund. It will support entrepreneurs in rebuilding and securing business in areas affected by floods who have suffered, for example, due to the reduced inflow of tourists. With the total value of up to PLN 350 million, the fund is co-created by the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy (MDFRP) and Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK). This is in response to the urgent needs of local businesses in the Dolnośląskie, Lubuskie, Opolskie and Śląskie Voivodeships.

More than 2,000 calls for proposals and more than 41,000 applications for funding worth almost PLN 225 billion – this is the state of implementation of national and regional cohesion policy programmes from the 2021-2027 perspective, which was one of the topics discussed today during the 3rd meeting of the Committee for the Partnership Agreement 2021-2027.