As Poland prepares for its presidency over the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2025, NE Global sat down with Monika Sikora, Poland’s Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, to discuss the priorities of her Ministry and the importance of developments fund for Poland in different crucial sectors. Sikora brings to the table long experience in the EU institutions, she was from 2019 to 2023, an advisor to the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg, where she served on the Budget Committee, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee and the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee. In 2022, she was awarded the title of best accredited assistant in the European Parliament. From 2021 to 2023, the Undersecretary was a member of the board of the Institute of Democratic Thought Foundation.
NE GLOBAL: Which are the areas you would like to support in the short term if you speak about funds?
Monika Sikora: As the Deputy Minister responsible for social funds, my mission is clear: invest in people. European Funds are the backbone of lifelong learning, and Poland is leading the charge. At the national level, we have rolled out strategic solutions to support our school system with digital tools, inclusive education, and top-tier vocational training. We are also bolstering adult education and enhancing higher education quality. Via regional programs, we empower teachers, school staff, children, youth, and adults to develop vital skills and make meaningful contributions to society. But let’s face it, we have hurdles to overcome. Our adult digital skills lag behind the EU average (44 percent in Poland vs. 56 percent in the EU), with an ambitious target of 80 percent by 2030.
To bridge this gap, our European Funds for Social Development 2021-2027 program is stepping up. We are creating local digital activation centres and offering robust training for entrepreneurs. Accessibility is another critical issue, especially with demographic shifts. We are investing EU funds to ensure public and private sectors develop more accessible services, products, and spaces. Our projects cater to the elderly and people with disabilities, showcasing our commitment to a more inclusive Europe. Initiatives include job coach assistance, a new disability assessment system, and a national Communication Centre, providing tools for alternative communication and sign language.
Innovation is at the heart of our strategy. Our European Social Fund Plus (EFS+) – financed program prioritises social innovations, with incubators driving forward solutions with real potential. These incubators tap into the creativity of individuals and smaller entities, who understand social problems and have the ideas to solve them. Finally, the social economy is a shining success of ESF support in Poland. In 2022, we made history with our first law on social economy, thanks to European funds. This new social policy concept has been a game-changer, fostering professional reintegration for those at risk of social exclusion. In short, we are using European Funds to build a stronger, more inclusive Poland, where everyone has the chance to thrive.
NEG: How important are EU funds to agriculture right now?
MS: Agriculture is a lifeblood of our economy, and funding has never been more crucial. Under the Partnership Agreement for 2021-2027, we are dedicating approximately EUR 10 billion from cohesion policy to support rural areas, a substantial increase from the EUR 5.2 billion allocated in the 2014-2020 period. This boost in funding will be channelled through eight national programs and 16 regional programs. We are earmarking around EUR 5.6 billion from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the ESF+ for rural development and urban-rural connections over the next six years.
In addition, ten out of sixteen regions are implementing the Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) initiative, with EUR 345 million allocated for grassroots projects. These funds will help foster local partnerships and innovative solutions tailored to regional needs. We are also enhancing urban-rural collaboration through Integrated Territorial Investments and other territorial tools, with about 100 projects set for the 2021-2027 period. In total, we are directing roughly EUR 4.1 billion from cohesion policy funds to national programs, ensuring our agricultural sector thrives through sustainable practices, advanced technologies, and stronger community ties. This robust investment highlights our commitment to a vibrant, resilient agricultural future.
NEG: How are you going to design in the next months your regional policy?
MS: We are set for an intense period of policy design in the coming months. The focus is on wrapping up the 2014-2020 programs, which are nearly complete with almost 100 percent of ERDF and 98 percent of ESF funds certified to the European Commission. Simultaneously, we are advancing the 2021-2027 regional programs. Calls for proposals are ongoing, and contracts for over 20 percent of the allocation have already been signed. Key to our strategy is the midterm review scheduled for early 2025. This will be a crucial opportunity to evaluate progress and adjust our programmes to better meet current socio-economic conditions. We are also gearing up to implement the Social Climate Fund, which will address climate issues and shape regional policy. In essence, our regional policy will be a blend of concluding past initiatives, pushing forward current projects, and integrating climate considerations to ensure sustainable development. The future is challenging, but full of potential.
NEG: How do you evaluate your cooperation with the EU?
MS: We greatly value our cooperation with the EU. Constant contact with European Commission representatives allows us to consult on issues needing clarification, ensuring smooth implementation of EU-funded programmes. We appreciate the EU’s work in education and lifelong learning, which inspires national and regional actions. For instance, we are implementing the Council Recommendation on upskilling pathways and testing the concept of individual learning accounts.
Our collaboration with the EU on specialist issues like monitoring and indicators has been very positive. In this regard for example, we have started a constructive dialogue aimed at simplifying processes and reducing administrative burdens in ESF monitoring. With Poland set to assume the EU Council Presidency in January 2025, effective cooperation with the European Commission will be crucial. This partnership will be key during the preparations and throughout our term, especially with the upcoming new draft regulations for cohesion policy.
NEG: Do you have specific plans in 2024 to develop the rural areas of the country?
MS: Yes, we have robust plans for 2024 to develop rural areas, guided by the National Strategy for Regional Development 2030 (NSRD). This strategy targets 755 communes, including 581 rural and 162 urban-rural, identified as areas at risk of permanent marginalisation. Our focus is on breaking the cycle of adverse social and economic conditions, such as limited access to public services.
We aim to enhance the capacity and competencies of regional and local public administrations, promoting effective inter-institutional and inter-sectoral cooperation. This includes strengthening rural-rural and rural-urban connections in strategic development, public service provision, public transport restoration, and community engagement. We are moving away from viewing urban and rural areas in isolation. Instead, we are fostering cooperation and development planning in functional areas where local government connections are identified and strengthened. Enhancing collaboration between cities and surrounding municipalities is crucial for local and regional economic growth, enabling resource sharing and service co-financing.
Understanding the flow of resources, goods, services, capital, and labour between cities and rural areas is vital. This awareness will bolster the social, economic, and spatial potential of our municipalities
