The vital role EU funds played to support regional authorities and their potential in the recovery process was discussed during an online EPP Local Dialogue organised by Piotr Całbecki, Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region.
Elżbieta Piniewska, President of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Regional Assembly said that the pandemic is a social and economic challenge, a test of the agility of EU, national and local government institutions as well as a test of solidarity. Piniewska added that actions to support health services undertaken by local government with the use of EU funds showed that regions can build a stronger future.
Piotr Całbecki gave a detailed explanation of EU support and funding in the Kujawsko-Pomorski Region during the coronavirus pandemic. He said that EU funds enabled the region to fight the pandemic. Całbecki said that the region created a package of 910 million złoty to supplement national measures. 600 million złoty were targeted towards the economy supporting the local economy through grants, subsidies and liquidity assistance such as loans. This permitted support for thousands of businesses that otherwise would have closed especially in cases where government support was not enough. 177 million złoty were invested in the health sector supporting hospitals through equipment, ambulances for COVID-19 patients, development of new wards and joint procurement. 47 million złoty were used for a social package supporting care services. Remuneration of professionals was increased allowing them to work in hybrid format and protecting the most vulnerable. 9.5 million złoty was invested in education and as of 11 March, even though schools were closed, students could follow lessons live.
S. Urszula Wardowska, Director of the Social Welfare Home in Chełmno shared her experience of work in social welfare homes during the pandemic. She said aid that support from the Marshal's package was a huge injection of funds and that otherwise it would not have been possible to meet the demand of supplies needed for the 152 residents who include elderly and persons with disability.
Karolina Welka, Director of the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Wloclawek spoke on support received from hospitals . She said that hospitals had to create areas for COVID-19 patients. Through EU funds hospitals could obtain equipment swiftly. She said that regional hospitals are grateful for funds received and specialized hospitals could refer patients to other hospitals. In her concluding remarks Welka said that through EU funds and support specialists had "who to fight with and what to fight with and this is what matters most."
Christopher Todd, Head of Unit, DG REGIO (Poland) spoke on Cohesion Policy funds for the 2021-2027 period. he said that the EU responded quickly to the needs of member states in the fight against the pandemic and cohesion policy demonstrated its flexibility as a crises response tool. He said that the EU made sure that these funds could be used with maximum speed which was of essence and with simplified procedures. Todd said that the Kujawsko-Pomorskie was one of the first regions to present diagnoses of needs so by April 2020, funds were reallocated to support medical institutions, SMEs and social welfare homes. Todd added that COVID-19 will not be the only global challenge we will be facing. He explained that future cohesions policy investment will aim to make our society and our planet healthier, more sustainable and more resilient. Post-crisis recovery must take advantage of funding dedicated to innovation. He stressed that the COVID-19 crisis has added to the urgency of the digital agenda. On the EU Green Deal, Todd said that this lies at the heart of the growth agenda.
Gelu Calacean, Head of Unit, DG EMPL (Poland) spoke on ESF+ investment priorities. He said that goals include to have 78% of active population in employment. Due to the digital and green transitions, 60% of adults must participate in training every year. Calaceanexplained that the Commission wants to also address inequalities and poverty. He said that these three goals will guide discussions on use of the funds. "If there is one lesson which everyone learned in the last year is that investment in people comes first." In this regard he spoke against decrease in support for social fund in favour of investment in infrastructure.