Since Poland’s entry into the European Union, Warsaw has obtained over PLN 18 billion from the EU budget for investments and development. The capital city of our country is a leader in obtaining EU funds in the entire Central and Eastern Europe region. The largest project supported by these funds is the Metro.
Warsaw is a European metropolis, driven by entrepreneurship, activity and involvement of its residents. The development of the city has already made it an open, friendly and functional city. Modern solutions are planned according to the social needs and respect for sustainable environment. However, these changes would not have been possible without the support of European funds – the most visible benefit of Poland’s membership in the European Union.
Since 2004 Poland has been the biggest beneficiary of the European funds, and Warsaw is the leader in obtaining them. So far the capital has obtained over PLN 18 billion from the EU budget, which gives as much as PLN 10,000 per capita. This is one of the highest results not only in Poland but in the whole Central and Eastern Europe region. These are the facts. Anyone who questions the benefits of the presence of our country in the EU, harms Poland and Warsaw, said Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski.
The capital can count on EU
The greatest support for the metropolitan investments is the EU Cohesion Fund (CF) which funds both the projects entailing urban mobility, and most projects related to environment protection in Warsaw. The total subsidised amount for Warsaw projects from the CF is as much as PLN 14.6 billion. One of the main tasks of the Cohesion Fund is the development of transport infrastructure based on low-emission public transport. Therefore, the greatest share of funds is allocated for the development of public transport, so that it becomes a good alternative to individual transport.
The most popular Warsaw investment supported by the Cohesion Fund involves the construction of the second metro line and the purchase of state-of-the-art rolling stock (PLN 7.37 billion of subsidy under three projects). In addition to this, the following projects are funded: the extension of tramway network, ecological buses, agglomeration railroad and major roads.
In recent years much attention has been given to the development of the Vistula river banks – thanks to EU grants from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) a spectacular project entailing renovation of the Vistula boulevards and the widely popular Multimedia Fountain Park was implemented. In turn, the Smolna Entrepreneurship Centre in Powiśle and the Targowa Creative Centre in Old Praga were established to support Warsaw’s business. A project for free mobile solutions that will facilitate moving around in public space, as well as project for the development of a civil alarm and warning system were also prepared. The total amount of ERDF subsidies allocated for the projects is over PLN 2.5 billion.
The third most important EU sources of support for Warsaw development is the European Social Fund. Much emphasis has been placed on, among others, social and professional mobilisation of disabled Warsaw residents, support of care services, as well as helping families. The total amount of ESF subsidies is over PLN 700 million.
Other project funding comes from other EU sources, such as grants managed directly by the European Commission for international projects.
EU support for the entire metropolis
The EU funds are complemented by funds from other European Union aid funds, directed mainly at science, research and development. Funds from the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism are also important – within which, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein contribute to the implementation of cultural, educational and social projects. Thanks to these funds, tenement houses in the Old Town, where the Museum of Warsaw is located, were modernised. Systemic support was also obtained for the Nursing Homes based in Warsaw, and natural meadows on the Vistula banks were restored.
EU support covers the entire Warsaw metropolitan area. A special financial instrument, called Integrated Territorial Investments, has been created. Thanks to this instrument, Warsaw together with 39 neighbouring municipalities – with the support of EU funds – implements projects at a supra-local scale such as cycle paths, P&R facilities, public e-services, education of children and the youth, as well as the provision of places for children under 3 years old in day care facilities. The total value of 176 projects from the Warsaw metropolitan area, which obtained EU subsidies as part of this instrument until September this year is about PLN 1.1 billion, out of which EU support reached PLN 708.5 million.