The changes to the EFEP programme respond to current challenges, relating both to the geopolitical situation and to residents’ growing need for affordable housing. During the so-called mid-term review of the programme, it was decided to reallocate funds that had not yet been allocated to new objectives.

Better railway and enhanced safety

Priority 7 – Resilient civil and military mobility focuses on improving dual-use mobility – for both civil and military purposes. This is a response to geopolitical threats, particularly in regions situated at the border with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. This support will help strengthen the railway network in Eastern Poland and its role as a humanitarian and logistics corridor.

The investment projects will include, among others, the refurbishment of track layouts and infrastructure at railway stations, including improvements to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities, as well as the construction or refurbishment of bridges, tunnels and underpasses. They will also cover rail traffic management systems and electrification. The beneficiary of the support will be PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. The planned investments will amount to PLN 883 million (EUR 209 million).

More dwellings with affordable rent

Priority 8 – Social Housing – aims to establish a support system in Eastern Poland for investment in housing with affordable rent. Social housing associations (TBS), community housing initiatives (SIM), housing cooperatives and municipal companies will receive grants to supplement their own contributions to preferential loans from Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego. This will lead to an increase in investment and, for residents, a greater supply of housing with affordable rent. Support will be provided for the construction, conversion or refurbishment of facilities for residential purposes. The dwellings will be built to high energy efficiency standards – which, in practice, will mean lower bills for their residents.

PLN 422 million (EUR 100 million) has been allocated for this purpose. The implementation will be managed by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK). Projects will be selected in a competitive process.

European Funds for Eastern Poland

The European Funds for Eastern Poland (EFEP) programme is a follow-up of the support for the development of the eastern voivodeships of our country: Warmińsko-Mazurskie, Podlaskie, Lubelskie, Świętokrzyskie, Podkarpackie and the regional part of the Mazowieckie Voivodeships (excluding Warsaw and nine surrounding counties). The programme is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and aims to consolidate conditions conducive to economic competitiveness and a higher quality of life in Eastern Poland.

The programme provides funding for investments in small and medium-sized enterprises, projects aimed at adapting cities to climate change, developing zero-emission urban mobility, protecting biodiversity, developing smart energy distribution networks, improving rail and road connectivity, and promoting sustainable tourism. The budget for the European Funds for Eastern Poland programme for the period 2021–2027 amounts to PLN 12 billion 428 million.