Local governments to redirect approx. PLN 1.8 bn to pandemic fight
19:35
Local governments have directed nearly PLN 1.8 billion to fight pandemic under Regional Operational Programs (RPO) until April 2, according to estimates from the consulting company Grant Thornton.
The current financial perspective of the European Union – for the years 2014-2020 – has been perceived in Poland as a huge opportunity for economic and social development since its launch. Poland received €105.8 billion, which means over PLN 60 billion annually. Similar to the previous financial perspective, the Polish government focused on decentralization, i.e. it decided to allocate a significant part of the allocation - about 30% - for implementation to voivodship marshals under Regional Operational Programs. At the end of this perspective, however, a huge challenge emerged before local governments related to the coronavirus pandemic. All marshal offices decided to immediately use the EU money they had to spend under the RPO.
“More than half of the funds will go to support the medical and sanitary services. For enterprises a slightly smaller part is foreseen. Looking at the distribution of money, it can be concluded that for most voivodships the most urgent task now is to protect the lives of citizens. 57 percent of funds directed to the fight against coronavirus are expected to go to hospitals, sanitary services and other institutions caring for saving human health and limiting the spread of disease,” the report stated.
(ISBnews)
