Highlights:

• The programme supports local governments in preparing urban areas for increasingly frequent extreme weather events through the development of green and blue infrastructure and more effective management of rainwater and meltwater.
• Local governments in Eastern Poland – cities and municipalities that meet the programme criteria, including medium-sized cities (20,000-100,000 inhabitants), spa municipalities and selected cities in the Podlaskie Voivodship with more than 10,000 inhabitants – may benefit from the support.
• The call for the third edition of the programme started on 15 December 2025, and applications can be submitted until 16 March 2026.
• PLN 210 million is available for distribution.
• In the two previous calls, PLN 413 million was awarded to 24 projects in 18 locations.
• The support takes the form of non-repayable grants.
• The programme is financed by European Funds for Eastern Poland.

In the current European financial perspective, we have allocated over 11 billion euros to various climate resilience programmes. And today, I am very pleased to announce that we are launching another stream of such funding, with over 200 million EUR for a new edition of the climate resilience programme for eastern Poland 

– said Urszula Zielińska, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, during a press conference.

For what can the funding be used?
Cities are increasingly feeling the effects of climate change, and this programme responds to these challenges. Droughts, heatwaves and flooding show that existing green spaces and ageing infrastructure are not enough. Therefore, the funds can be used for new investments that serve to manage rainwater and increase green areas in cities, also using blue infrastructure. The cost eligible under these projects (an expense that can be covered by the funding) may also include the development and updating of municipal climate change adaptation plans (MPA).

Examples of investments that may be financed under the adaptation programme:

• solutions protecting against urban flooding and waterlogging,
• development of rainwater retention and treatment systems to ensure the restoration of groundwater resources or its reuse,
• ‘de-concreting’ – removal of hardened surfaces,
• introduction of new green areas that store rainwater and protect against drought,
• reconstruction of the surroundings of schools and public buildings (rainwater storage systems).

Who can apply for funding?
The programme is addressed to local governments in the Eastern Poland macroregion that are planning investments to build the city's resilience to the effects of climate change, including the development of green spaces, areas that allow for natural water absorption, and nature-based solutions. These are:

• medium-sized cities in the Eastern Poland macroregion (20-100 thousand inhabitants) that have lost some of their socio-economic functions, as well as their organisational units,
• municipalities with health resorts or health resort protection areas, as well as their organisational units.
• In the Podlaskie Voivodship, all county towns and other towns with more than 10,000 inhabitants are eligible for funding, with the exception of those that can benefit from the FEnIKS programme.

List of eligible locations
Lublin Voivodship: Biała Podlaska, Biłgoraj, Chełm, Kraśnik, Lubartów, Łuków, Zamość, Krasnobród Health Resort, Nałęczów Health Resort, Biszcza Health Resort Protection Area (OOU).
Mazowieckie Voivodship (Mazovia): Ciechanów, Mława, Ostrołęka, Ostrów Mazowiecka, Siedlce.
Podkarpackie Voivodship (Lower Carpathia): Dębica, Jarosław, Jasło, Krosno, Mielec, Przemyśl, Sanok, Stalowa Wola, Tarnobrzeg; Spas: Health resorts: Horyniec Zdrój, Iwonicz Zdrój, Latoszyn Zdrój, Polańczyk, Rymanów Zdrój; Latoszyn OOU.
Podlaskie Voivodship (Podlachia): all county towns; other towns with a population of over 10,000 (excluding potential FEnIKS beneficiaries).
Świętokrzyskie Voivodship (Holy Cross): Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, Sandomierz, Skarżysko Kamienna, Starachowice; Health resorts: Busko Zdrój, Solec Zdrój; OOU: Kazimierza Wielka, Czarniecka Góra, Pińczów.
Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodship (Warmia-Masuria): Bartoszyce, Działdowo, Ełk, Giżycko, Iława, Kętrzyn, Mrągowo, Ostróda, Szczytno; Health resort: Gołdap; OOU: Frombork, Górowo Iławeckie, Lidzbark Warmiński, Miłomłyn.

The Ministry of Climate and Environment supports cities in applying for funding
In connection with the launch of the third call for projects strengthening the climate resilience of cities and the development of green and blue infrastructure, the Ministry of Climate and Environment's project ‘Support for adaptation measures for Eastern Poland’ is of particular importance, as it helps local governments to effectively apply for funding. As part of the project, local governments receive support in preparing grant applications and creating urban adaptation plans, as well as benefiting from training, workshops, thematic meetings, study visits, and specialist expertise and analyses.

Third call for proposals for co-financing from the European Fund for Eastern Poland (FEPW): https://www.funduszeeuropejskie.gov.pl/nabory/22-adaptacja-do-zmian-klimatu-2/

Ministry of Climate and Environment project ‘Support for adaptation measures’: https://www.gov.pl/web/klimat/wsparcie-dzialan-adaptacyjnych-dla-polski-wschodniej