Marek Kuchciński: We must care about historical memory, about our roots, but thinking about the future

April 13, 2017
10:22 am

Over PLN 2.5 billion of support will go to medium-sized cities as part of the government's Strategy for Responsible Development. The support package was presented in Przemyśl by Mateusz Morawiecki, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Development and Finance. The programme will cover 255 cities. The money is to be earmarked for, among other things, boosting investment, development with the use of individual advantages of a given region.

Also present at the inauguration were Speaker of the Sejm Marek Kuchciński, Deputy Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Development Jerzy Kwieciński, Marshal of the Podkarpackie Region Władysław Ortyl and Podkarpackie Voivode Ewa Leniart.

Marek Kuchciński argued that Przemyśl appears to be a city which unites not only geographic regions but also various initiatives over 1000 years. - I am glad that the Polish government, that the Minister of Development and Finance can announce a program for medium sized cities precisely in Przemyśl which, looking at the right side of the Vistula, is counted among cities with the greatest number of monuments. There is a great strength in them and we, as a historical nation, have to take care of historical memory, roots, but also think about the future, because the basis of development is economy and finances. I hope that the program will meet our expectations - he said.

In May, the Infrastructure and Environment Programme (OPI&E) is planning a competition on improving the urban environment in degraded urban areas with a separate envelope of PLN 100 million for 255 medium-sized cities, including PLN 50 million for 122 medium-sized cities losing socio-economic functions;

In June/July, in the Eastern Poland Programme (EPOP) a competition is planned with a separate envelope of 60 million PLN for projects located in medium-sized towns losing socio-economic functions from the area of Eastern Poland, concerning implementation of innovation by SMEs;

In October, in the framework of the Knowledge Education Development (POWER) Program, a competition worth PLN 15 million is planned for transnational cooperation in the area of social revitalization dedicated to 122 medium-sized cities losing their socio-economic functions;

At the end of the year, the Intelligent Development Programme (IE OP) is planning a competition worth PLN 400 million for research to market entirely dedicated to projects implemented in 255 medium-sized cities.

The total amount of funds in the national operational programmes in the competitions dedicated to medium-sized cities within the Package scheduled for the nearest years is nearly PLN 2.5 billion, including: POWER about PLN 970 million, POIR about PLN 900 million, POIiŚ about PLN 520 million, POPW about PLN 60 million.

Local Government Investment Fund

Another way to support medium-sized cities is to use instruments other than debt or grants which are included in the offer of the Local Government Investment Fund (SIF) managed by the Polish Development Fund. Under the Fund, it is possible to obtain support for investments financed entirely with domestic funds or to obtain capital for own contribution to projects financed with EU funds. Potential areas of support include: roads, water and sewage sector, waste management, energy and gas supply, social infrastructure, revitalization, public transport and health care.

info: portalsamorzadowy.pl

Photo: Michał Mielniczuk UMWP