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.

Poland will receive PLN 67 billion under the National Recovery Plan this year. PLN 27 billion is already at work in the Polish economy, with a further PLN 40 billion to arrive before the end of the year.

The issue of diminishing competitiveness of the European Union will not be resolved with increasing centralisation and consolidation. We need more focus on regional investment. As far as the new EU financial perspective is concerned, both Member States and local governments need to have at least as much of a say when it comes to investing EU funds as they have today.

"Poland has sent its first request for payment from the National Recovery Plan to the European Commission. The total amount of payments from these two proposals will be greater than the previous one and could amount to more than PLN 40 billion (around €9.4 billion), including more than PLN 17.5 billion (€4.1 billion) from the grant part and more than PLN 22.6 billion (€5.3 billion) from the loan. The money should arrive in Poland later this year.

Ministers responsible for cohesion policy discussed in Budapest how cohesion policy should evolve to meet and respond effectively to the major demographic challenges. Deputy Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy, Jan Szyszko represented Poland at that meeting.