The first money from the National Reconstruction Plan (KPO) has reached beneficiaries. Over PLN 1 billion was earmarked for investment. The largest amount, nearly PLN 600 million, was allocated to the ‘Clean Air’ programme. At the end of February, the European Commission formally unblocked EUR 137 billion for Poland in the KPO and cohesion policy funds after almost three years.
“The first billion is behind us. We have already invested so much from the KPO for “Clean air”, investments in Polish farmers, laptops for teachers, crèches, internet in the countryside. And this is just the beginning”, said Minister for Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz.
Within the advance funds from the KPO, more than PLN 598 million was allocated to the ‘Clean Air’ programme. The aim of the programme is to replace heat sources and improve energy efficiency in single-family homes. More than PLN 209 million was allocated to Polish farmers for investments into small and medium-sized farms, diversification and shortening the supply chain of agricultural products.
The Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy (MFiPR) said that PLN 148.8 million was allocated for laptops for teachers, and PLN 187 million was earmarked for providing access to very high-speed internet in the so-called ‘white spots’ areas. In addition, PLN 17.1 million from the KPO was invested in insulating blocks of flats and tenements, and PLN 13.6 million were given to crèches.
At the end of February, the European Commission formally unblocked €137 billion for Poland in the National Housing Plan and cohesion policy funds. The Commission recognised that Poland had met the so-called milestones, including the independence of the judicial system, allowing the funds to be disbursed as part of the first payment request.
The National Recovery Plan for Poland envisages 55 investments and 55 reforms to strengthen the Polish economy after the Covid-19 pandemic, with Poland set to receive €59.8 billion (PLN 268 billion), including €25.27 billion (PLN 113.28 billion) in grants and €34.54 billion (PLN 154.81 billion) in preferential loans.
Arkadiusz Słomczyński