On 1 July this year, the European Commission approved on Poland's proposal to revise the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), which our country submitted to the Commission on 30 April 2024.

On 25 June 2024, Prime Minister Donald Tusk – at the request of Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz – appointed Jacek Karnowski as Secretary of State at the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy.

Poland triggered 35 out of 56 investments from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan for almost half of the RRP's value in our country; we negotiated a revision of the RPP with the European Commission. At the end of August or at the beginning of September, we want to submit the second and third application for payment and at the end of the year we should receive the next tranche of money under the RRP, said Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz during the annual meeting with the European Commission. It summarised the first outcomes of the implementation of the Polish RRP.

The Ministry of Digitalisation, together with the Digital Poland Projects Centre, is launching the “Digital Development Clubs” project, which aims to improve the digital competence of Polish citizens. Funded by the European Funds, Digital Development Clubs will educate on the use of new technologies. The first pilot phase will involve 64 municipalities, which can apply for funding to launch the clubs – the funding will amount to PLN 31 million. The project aims to develop the public's digital skills and increase social inclusion.

A discussion about the development priorities of Poland up to 2035 and the Social Climate Plan 2026-2032 were the main topics discussed at a round table held at the Ministry of Development Funds and Social Policy. It addressed the strategic challenges related to the introduction of the new European emission trading system ETS2. The Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz attended the talks.

Poles increasingly expand their knowledge and skills. This positive trend was discussed today during the consultation on Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), an initiative to support the professional and personal development of adult Poles. With IKR, every adult will be able to actively invest in their career development and skills. The round table event was attended by Deputy Minister Monika Sikora and representatives of the European Commission, key ministries, Marshall Offices, representatives of social partners, NGOs, training companies, public employment services, provinces and academics.

On 26 April 2024, the Sejm adopted the Act on ensuring that business entities meet accessibility requirements for certain products and services, which transposed an EU directive, known as the European Accessibility Act (EAA), into Polish law. This is the beginning of the next phase of building an accessible and inclusive society. The new legal act, its opportunities and challenges were discussed at the conference titled “Polish Accessibility Act – Inauguration”.

The Ukraine Recovery Conference (hereafter referred to as “URC2024”) with the participation of Deputy Minister Jan Szyszko yielded important outcomes It gave rise to an international coalition to support urban centres in Ukraine. The Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy joined its ranks. Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego entered into an agreement with the European Commission to increase its funding from the Ukraine Facility.

The amendment to the Act on the Principles of Development Policy, adopted by the Sejm on 15 May this year, once effective, will be the basis for the implementation of the Social Climate Fund. It will help households, small businesses and transport users that are most vulnerable to energy poverty. The announcement was made at the Sejm by the Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz.

The European Union's cohesion policy is the “catalyst for European integration” and the Union's main investment policy, strengthening the competitiveness of the single market and creating a level playing field for the sustainable development of all Member States. This position was advocated by the ministers of Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary in the Joint Declaration they signed today in Prague with the ministers of Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia and the Baltic States.