EPP-CoR local and regional leaders working with citizens and NGOs to respond to the crisis
During a debate on the implications of the war in Ukraine for cohesion policy and cross-border cooperation, held during a COTER Commission meeting, EPP-CoR members called for fresh financial resources to help them support refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Marek Wozniak, President of Wielkopolska Region said that Poland was dealing with an exodus of people from Ukraine. “The majority of the refugees are women and children. They did not want to leave their country, they want to go back as soon as possible, they left behind their husband, father or brother. Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs), citizens and NGOs are helping but we need more funds to provide education, accommodation, food, health and social services.” Wozniak added that there are limited unused funds from the 2014-2020 period so new financial resources are required. He also called for investment in infrastructure such as schools. Wozniak also stated that he had reached out to LRAs in France, Germany and Ukraine to see what are the needs on the ground and how cities and regions willing to help can support.
Sari Rautio, Hämeenlinna councillor said “We have to recognise that this crisis will not disappear even if the war ends now. The situation will continue for a long time so we need to look into the long term and use all tools, including cohesion policy, to strengthen Europe and ensure a peaceful future.” She called for the promotion of democracy and European values.
Adrian Teban, Mayor of Cugir who joined the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) visit to Poland with Elisa Ferreira, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms to discuss how to support LRAs hosting refugees said that cities and regions in the border with Ukraine need funds to cover transport, meals, education and other expenses. He said that EU funds are needed to address the problems in the long-term. He stressed that mechanisms in place need to be simple so that money reaches LRAs as quickly as possible, especially those on the border with Ukraine.
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj Napoca said “At the local and regional level we have partnerships with cities from Moldova and Ukraine in order to help them on the ground. Boc warned not to distinguish between registered and unregistered refugees in order to be able to help all Ukrainian citizens entering the EU. Boc called for additional flexibility when it comes to mobilising cohesion funds (2021-2027) and called for caution to ensure that the objectives of cohesion policy are not put aside as existing disparities between regions had to continue to be addressed.
Mieczysław Stuk, President of Pomeranian Region called for funds reserved in the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI), from which Russia was excluded to be allocated to other INTERREG cross-border programs involving regions affected by the situation. He also proposed for these funds to be transferred to regional operational programs in regions that will lose the possibility of international cooperation, due to the ceased cooperation with Russia, to provide help to Ukrainian citizens.