We have taken two key decisions today. Firstly, on the Committee's rules of procedure and secondly, on the investment priorities for the Security and Defence Fund. The funds are enormous. This is more than PLN 22 billion for Polish defence, Polish technologies in this field and dual-use infrastructure

- said the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz at the SDF Steering Committee meeting held at the MDFRP head office.

The SDF Steering Committee adopted the regulations and investment priorities for the Fund. They provide the basis for the preparation of investment policies determining the use of SDF resources.

Billions for the safe tomorrow

The money from the Security and Defence Fund will be used to support Poland's defence capabilities, civil protection. Almost every tenth zloty from the NRP is allocated to this fund. It will benefit innovative technology companies in the defence sector and local governments. We plan to subsidise investments covering four priorities:

• development of collective protection facilities and civil protection infrastructure - approximately PLN 9.65 billion for the construction of shelters, places of safe refuge, wells, water intakes and local wells, telecommunications infrastructure related to crisis management;
• construction and modernisation of dual-use infrastructure - approximately PLN 6.26 billion for the construction, modernisation of roads, bridges and tunnels owned by local authorities and railway infrastructure;
• investment in cyber security - approximately PLN 2.46 billion to increase the security and reliability of digital infrastructure that collects data and supports the management of our environment (water intakes, sewage systems, public transport, energy networks, etc.);
•  modern industry - approximately PLN 4.05 billion to increase production capacity in the Polish defence sector; support for, among others, the construction and modernisation of production infrastructure, the purchase of software and IT services; machinery and equipment useful in crisis situations; machinery and equipment necessary for industrial research and development work.

The final distribution of funds will depend on the interest of entities as part of the loan calls for proposals and the openness to allow an investor into the ownership structure.

SDF supported by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego

Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) will be responsible for operating the Security and Defence Fund.
Beneficiaries may rely on the support in the form of loans and equity investments (to be operated by the special purpose vehicle established by BGK).

Loans for local government units will be interest-free and spread over a number of years. Partial loan redemption is also possible. Companies will have a possibility to benefit from the maximum preferential financing conditions, in line with state aid rules.