Funds 2021-27

What are EU funds?

EU funding is the process by which the European Union (EU) makes funds available to support, among other things, investment, training, and research in EU member states. The purpose of these funds is to support economic, social, and regional development in the European Union and to even out economic and educational differences between its regions.

Poland is one of the largest beneficiaries of the European Union due to the fact that all Polish regions, apart from Warsaw, have a Gross Domestic Product per capita (GDP per capita) lower than the average of this indicator in the European Union.

What is the value of EU funds allocated to Poland and when will they be spent?

For the years 2021-2027, as a beneficiary of the "European Funds" perspective, Poland will have approximately PLN 345 billion (approx. EUR 76 billion) at its disposal.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the first EU competitions started with a delay in mid-2023. All competitions will end by 2027 and the implementation and settlement period of the projects will end in 2029.

These funds were divided between funds and programs, depending on the objectives, areas of operation (national or regional), and various economic sectors, including: research and development, education, infrastructure, IT, culture, environmental protection, agriculture, health and many other.

EU funds and programs implemented in Poland

for the dolnośląskie voivodeship (EUR 2.3 billion)
for the kujawsko-pomorskie voivodship (EUR 1.8 billion)
for the lubelskie voivodship (EUR 2.4 billion)
for the lubuskie voivodship (EUR 915 million)
for the łódzkie voivodship (EUR 2.3 billion)
for the małopolskie voivodship (EUR 2.7 billion)
for the mazowieckie voivodship (EUR 2.1 billion)
for the opolskie voivodship (EUR 966 million)
for the podkarpackie voivodship (EUR 2.26 billion)
for the podlaskie voivodship (EUR 1.3 billion)
for the pomorskie voivodship (EUR 1.67 billion)
for the śląskie voivodship (EUR 5.14 billion)
for the świętokrzyskie voivodship (EUR 1.45 billion)
for the warminsko-mazurskie voivodship (EUR 1.78 billion)
for the wielkopolskie voivodship (EUR 2.15 billion)
for the zachodniopomorskie region (EUR 1.68 billion)

Transforming the economy to a low-carbon one
Promoting biodiversity of ecosystems
Green and safe transport
Increasing the level and accessibility of healthcare
Protecting monuments and supporting cultural institutions

Increasing opportunities to use technology
Increasing competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises
Supporting modern and green technologies

Supporting business start-ups through affordable loans
Assistance to employers and their employees in key sectors
Development of education and its accessibility
Support for institutions dealing with the integration of migrants
Development of higher education capacities for digitisation and green solutions
Training for healthcare workers

Activities in the following voivodeships: lubelskie, mazowieckie (excluding Warsaw and 9 surrounding poviats), podlaskie, podkarpackie, świętokrzyskie, warmińsko-mazurskie voivodeship)

Supporting innovative solutions
Increased competitiveness of enterprises
Support for the development of the tourism industry in cities
Improving the quality of life
Increasing access to transport, eliminating transport exclusion

Expanding access to ultra-fast internet
Improving e-services to allow most business and citizen matters to be done online
Strengthening cyber security
Developing the digital skills of employees involved in the sector (especially in terms of cyber security)

Support for migration and asylum policy in line with European law
Secure management of EU borders
Prevention of radicalism, terrorism, and cybercrime

Improving methods of managing European funds acquired
Supporting innovation in human resources management
Create and maintain appropriate working conditions for the implementation of European projects
Supporting cooperation activities
Activities supporting visibility and access to European projects in Poland

Food aid (e.g. food parcels)
Joint actions for people in need (e.g. workshops, counselling)

Supporting sustainable fishing
Reconstruction and protection of water resources
Implementing innovations in this industry
Supporting international cooperation in managing the seas and contributing to their cleanliness

Support for international cooperation
Integration of European regions
Solving problems that go beyond the capacity of individual countries

Who can benefit from EU funds?

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises
Large enterprises
Newly established start-ups
VC/PE funds
Business accelerators
Foundations

Local governments
State institutions
Educational institutions
Higher education institutions (universities)
Research institutes

What is the percentage of EU funding?

Action co-financed by the EU	Value of the Funding
Investment projects	40%-80% of investment
Research and development projects (R&D)	40%-80% of the cost
Grants for ideas and start-up business models	50%-90% of the cost
Courses/training to improve qualifications and competences	80%-100% of the cost
Financing development for international markets	up to 50% of the costs
Co-financing of acquisitions of foreign companies	up to 50% of the investment

What does the exact value of the funding depend on?

There are many factors influencing the value of funding. Below are the most common:

Enterprise size (the smaller the enterprise, the higher the funding usually)
Cost types
Additional bonuses (for example, in the SMART (Research and Development) path, for presenting the results of your research at scientific conferences and publishing scientific works, you receive funding that is 10-15 percentage points higher)
In some competitions, the region in which the company or organization is located

What does the process of obtaining funding and implementing EU projects look like in brief?

1

Selecting appropriate programs for projects

Verification of which European funds program will be the best for obtaining funding

2

Preparation and submission of an EU application

Preparation of all documents in the application and constant contact with institutions managing EU funds

3

Signing the EU subsidy agreement

Evaluation of the contract and commencement of payment of funds

4

Project settlement and management

Settlement of funds obtained from European funds

Contact us for more information and a current schedule of projects available for your company/organization.