The event was also attended by, among others, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, Tomasz Siemoniak, Minister of Infrastructure, Dariusz Klimczak.

I remember that government meeting, where Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz came with very good information that Poland will be the first country in Europe to attempt to re-allocate funds from the NRP to security and defence. This is an unconditional priority for our presidency, a definite priority in the European Union today. Let us build the strength of Poland, the strength of the Union through investment. Armaments, defence industry, private and state-owned companies, civil defence, cyber security. This is absolutely critical. This is the main mission of our public activity today. Protect independence, sovereignty, ensure security for our families

- Deputy Prime Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said while opening the first meeting of the committee.

Funding will certainly be provided to state-owned and private companies, research institutes for the growth and development of their production lines, their potential, simply, investment in security. This gives us an opportunity to use the European funds already available to the maximum extent. Why does Poland need to be strong? Why does Poland have to re-allocate funds under the NRP and do everything to invest in its security? Because only force is a deterrent. Only the strong ones will be feared

- emphasised the head of the Ministry of Defence. 

Poland is the first country in the European Union to introduce the Security and Defence Fund under the NRP. I am already aware that other countries wish to follow in our footsteps. It is an investment fund, rather than a procurement fund - Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz emphasised.

SDF funds can be invested in three areas. These include civil protection, the modernisation of industry, including R&D, as well as the protection of critical infrastructure, which includes the very important area of cyber security. We have gathered preliminary information from all ministries and we know that these needs are enormous. We tentatively estimate them at approx. PLN 90 billion, and the Fund budget is projected at a level of PLN 26 billion. This only shows how huge our investment needs are

- the minister pointed out. 

She also stressed that negotiations with the European Commission, which the MDFRP is conducting jointly with the Ministry of Defence, have already started. After the first negotiating mission, a decision has already been obtained that investment projects financed under the SDF can be implemented after 2026.

The negotiations with the EC should be concluded on 27 May this year. Subsequently, on 20 June 2025, the Council of the EU is expected to adopt the amendments introduced in the NRP. The aim is that the Act establishing the Security and Defence Fund will come into force in September this year at the latest. We plan to announce the first SDF competitions in the first half of 2026.

What will the SDF money be spent on

We plan that under the Security and Defence Fund it will be possible to fund projects related to: 

• civil protection - the construction of shelters and protective facilities for the population and the modernisation and construction of the infrastructure necessary to safeguard social needs (water intakes, food storage facilities, communication systems, road infrastructure at a local authority level);
• modernisation of industry - investment to increase the productivity of companies, support for R&D in dual-use areas;
• protection of critical infrastructure (including cyber security).

The SDF will significantly address the needs of local authorities. They mainly relate to the support for investment, such as ad hoc shelters or infrastructure, including transport, which is necessary to improve security and mobility.

Objectives and tasks of the Committee

The Steering Committee for the implementation of defence and national security measures financed by the Security and Defence Fund under the NRP was established by a resolution of the Council of Ministers on 28 March 2025. It will determine investment priorities relevant to the national security and defence that could receive money from the SDF. It will also be tasked with monitoring projects financed by the fund and drafting proposals for related legal solutions. 

The co-chairs of the committee include the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and the Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy. It also includes the Minister of State Assets, the Minister of Digital Affairs, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, the Minister of Infrastructure, the Minister of Development and Technology and the Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure.