Among other things, the plan for the implementation of the European Funds Program for Eastern Poland for 2021-2027, the scope of support for the region and business, and the development of the macro-region were presented during the event.

The Eastern Poland Program (EPP) is aimed at developing innovation and competitiveness in five voivodeships: Lubelskie, Podlaskie, Podkarpackie, Świętokrzyskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie. The Program subsidizes business-oriented projects: activation of startups, implementation of innovations in SMEs, conquering foreign markets, development of companies with use of industrial design, and infrastructure projects: roads, ecological urban transport, railroads.

Since Poland's accession to the European Union and the launch of the first support program, it was possible to do really a lot for the Eastern Poland. Thanks to good management of national and EU money and sound investments, Eastern Poland is an increasingly better place to live. The region is also becoming more competitive,

Minister Grzegorz Puda began the meeting.

Despite the more than satisfactory results achieved by the program to date, which are significantly accelerating the pace of change in the economy and living conditions of the residents of the macro-region, but also the country as a whole, Eastern Poland still has quite a distance to make up compared to other parts of the country.

As the head of the MDFRP pointed out, in order to maintain positive development trends throughout 2021, the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy has been working intensively on the successor to the Eastern Poland Program for the 2021-2027 programming period. In the new perspective of European Funds, the dedicated program for this macro-region will function under the name of European Funds for Eastern Poland. The program has been submitted to the European Commission. The final form of the program is currently being negotiated.

Together with members of the Commission for Eastern Poland at the Union of Voivodeships of the Republic of Poland, which I have the pleasure of chairing, and with the marshals of the eastern voivodeships, we have been working intensively to ensure that the program for Eastern Poland is continued in the new perspective. I am glad that this goal has been achieved, as the program is a great support for our regions in implementing important investments and strengthening the competitiveness and innovation of the economy,

noted Marshal Artur Kosicki.

The main objective of the new program will be to perpetuate conditions that foster economic competitiveness and a higher quality of life in Eastern Poland. The program's budget will amount to PLN 11 billion 400 million. Five voivodeships will benefit from the program: Lubelskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie, as well as part of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship (regional Mazowieckie statistical region, i.e. without Warsaw and its nine surrounding counties).

The European Funds for Eastern Poland program will be a natural consequence of investments in the areas that the MDFRP has taken care of developing so far.

We still want to invest in business innovation; support start-ups within the framework of Start-up Platforms; or develop innovative products and services, create new jobs, green urban transportation, new roads, modernization of railroad lines, modern and accessible rail station buildings and stations,

Minister Puda listed.

We will also finance new areas - investments in energy grids, urban adaptation to climate change or biodiversity. We will be implementing all these projects in a new context - with a much greater emphasis on respect for the environment and climate impact, in line with the European Green Deal. Given the consequences of COVID-19, we will again develop the region's tourism potential.

During the meeting, the assumptions of the European Funds for Eastern Poland program were presented in detail. Its main goals, challenges, areas of intervention. The priorities of the program were discussed.

Local governments will be the biggest beneficiaries of the program. They will receive funds for activities related to the adaptation of cities to climate change, the development of urban transportation systems, development of voivodeships’ roads and the creation of attractive supra-regional tourism products. The money also will go to entrepreneurs operating in Eastern Poland and to central units,

Grzegorz Puda mentioned.

The Program provides support in the following areas: entrepreneurship, energy and climate, transportation and supra-regional tourism products.

The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss the "Needs of local governments in terms of accessibility of local governments to EU funds."