Poland is soon to receive over 76 billion euros from the EU budget for the years 2021-2027. The All-Poland Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations (OFOP) calls on organizations nationwide to mobilize and participate in the work of committees monitoring programs funded by European funds.
According to the Partnership Agreement defining the strategy for the use of European funds in Poland for the years 2021-2027, we will have around 76 billion euros at our disposal in this EU perspective. This is a standard 7-year EU budget, from which Poland will benefit for the next time, different from the funds planned for the National Reconstruction Plan. The Partnership Agreement project was submitted for public consultation in mid-January 2021 – following numerous comments, consultations, and public hearings, the document was ultimately approved by the Polish government and the European Commission and published in July 2022.
European funds will be implemented through specially developed programs, including international and cross-border ones, and in Poland additionally according to the Partnership Agreement within 16 regional programs managed by marshal offices and 8 thematic national programs managed by the government:
– European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate, Environment 2021-2027 (FEnIKS) – budget approx. 135 billion PLN
– European Funds for Social Development 2021-2027 (FERS) – budget approx. 21.9 billion PLN
– European Funds for Modern Economy 2021-2027 (FENG) – budget approx. 45.9 billion PLN
– European Funds for Digital Development 2021-2027 (FERC) – budget approx. 11.4 billion PLN
– European Funds for Eastern Poland 2021-2027 – budget approx. 14.3 billion PLN
– European Funds for Fisheries 2021-2027 – budget approx. 3.5 billion PLN
– European Food Aid Program 2021-2027 (FEPŻ) – budget approx. 2.7 billion PLN
– Technical Assistance for European Funds 2021-2027 (PTFE) – budget approx. 2.5 billion PLN
The implementation of projects, both competitively and non-competitively, will only be possible after their approval by the European Commission and the establishment of monitoring committees for each program. In addition to approving project selection criteria and methodology, these committees will verify compliance with conditions and horizontal principles. Each monitoring committee will include representatives from national and regional authorities, administration, organizations representing local governments, the academic sector, social partners (trade unions and employers’ organizations), business and social entrepreneurship, and a minimum of 9 civil society entities, such as non-governmental organizations and their federations.
The monitoring committees for programs will play a much greater role than in previous EU perspectives for several reasons. Indeed, the key will be to meet the ambitious climate goals arising from the European Green Deal, with the aim of making the European Union a climate-neutral area, a fair and prosperous society, and a modern and ecological economy. To achieve this, a whole package of regulations, elements, and principles has been developed, including DNSH (Do No Significant Harm). Furthermore, in accordance with Article 15 of the general regulation from June 2021 establishing horizontal conditions for the use of European funds, effective application and implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights were indicated, in addition to existing horizontal principles such as gender equality, accessibility for people with disabilities, non-discrimination, and sustainable development.
“It depends to a large extent on the potential, role, and involvement of the organized civil society whether these conditions and principles will be monitored. The monitoring committees must provide a place for NGOs dealing with monitoring each of the mentioned horizontal principles and advocating for our rights,” says Iwona Janicka, an expert from the All-Poland Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations.
In addition, representatives from organizations focusing on issues related to the programs, such as education, social inclusion, labor market, health, digitization, economy, just transition, infrastructure and transport, rural areas, urban functional areas, revitalization, culture and cultural heritage, fisheries, healthy food, food aid for the poorest, and strengthening the capacity of NGOs in shaping and implementing public policies, will be needed in the monitoring committees.
The selection of NGOs for monitoring committees must be carried out in a transparent procedure independently of national and regional authorities and their advisory bodies. Due to the successive approval of programs by the European Commission, the selection of NGOs will take place in the coming weeks for both national and regional programs. For national programs, the development of procedures and the establishment of an electoral commission are the responsibility of the Public Benefit Activity Council within the Chancellery of the Prime Minister. In the case of regional programs, the appropriate electoral process and the establishment of an electoral commission must be carried out by the relevant provincial Public Benefit Activity Councils (respectively, the advisory body of the provincial marshal).
One thing is certain – there will be very little time, just a few days for submissions and voting among NGOs, which will require immense mobilization and strengthening of many individuals who may not have been directly involved in investments and actions financed by European funds but, for example, were interested in the principles of the rule of law (freedom of speech, right to association, the rule of law), the right to information, women’s rights, non-discrimination of LGBTQIA individuals, rights of third-country nationals, accessibility for people with disabilities, and environmental protection, climate care, just transition. Involvement in monitoring committees will be ideal for individuals who are vigilant about transparency, ensuring access to documents, monitoring public procurements. Involvement in the monitoring committee can include the role of a member (or substitute) of the monitoring committee, as well as an observer. It is important to note that involvement in the work of the committee and its working groups is a civic function related to participating in meetings, analyzing documents regarding the area/issue, regarding the principles and conditions for the selection of projects, and engaging with the NGO community by providing materials, formulating opinions, recommendations, demands on behalf of the NGO community.
Recruitment for committees concerns the EU budget perspective for the years 2021-2027 (+2 years). Members of the monitoring committee (and substitutes) can count on support from the budget of the given program as part of technical assistance. Support will also depend on any grants obtained by civil society organizations to support representatives of NGOs in the monitoring process of European funds. At present, there will definitely be access to information, participation in training and conferences, meetings, and reimbursement of travel costs for committee meetings. OFOP encourages filling out the form for analysis of the potential and capacity of NGOs to work in monitoring committees and collaborate in this area. Organizations can expect opportunities for exchange of experiences, support from specialists, participation in informational and preparatory meetings, including on November 9th and December 14th. Interested individuals who want to receive current information and benefit from OFOP’s support can apply through the form – link: https://bit.ly/3PB1PkH
For those interested in joining monitoring committees without experience in this area, the All-Poland Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations invites them to introductory meetings on European funds for the years 2021-2027 on the following dates:
– November 8, 2022 (Tuesday) at 7:00 PM
– November 9, 2022 (Wednesday) at 2:00 PM
– November 23, 2022 (Wednesday) at 2:00 PM
– November 24, 2022 (Thursday) at 7:00 PM
– December 7, 2022 (Wednesday) at 2:00 PM
These will be approximately 1-hour meetings discussing the structure of programs funded by European funds for the years 2021-2027, the principle of partnership, horizontal principles, and what monitoring committees actually are. It will be an opportunity to familiarize oneself with the nomenclature. The meeting is dedicated to those who want to get involved in the topic and do not feel confident about the tasks representatives of NGOs may have in monitoring committees.
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with recordings that address aspects of horizontal principles:
– Report from the conference on the rule of law and fundamental rights – challenges for Poland in the context of European funds (Warsaw – July 6, 2022) Link to the recording: https://youtu.be/1zSoxWifGws
– RESPECT FOR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS. Link to the recording: https://youtu.be/hilQO1F4PLw
– ACCESSIBILITY PRINCIPLE. Link to the recording: https://youtu.be/ACYmNZdXGEI
– NON-DISCRIMINATION PRINCIPLE. Link to the recording: https://youtu.be/ePPWyEvikFo
– GENDER EQUALITY PRINCIPLE. Link to the recording: https://youtu.be/gcU8jsQvtSk
– SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLE. Link to the recording: https://youtu.be/SdccNiHCzWA
For more information, please visit: www.ofop.eu
For inquiries regarding monitoring committees, please contact: komitetymonitorujace@ofop.eu
Prepared by Iwona Janicka, All-Poland Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations
Partnership for a better perspective!
The All-Poland Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations carries out advocacy and networking activities under an agreement with the KLON/JAWOR Association and with the support of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation. We benefit from support from CIVITATES and the European Climate Foundation.
Press information: All-Poland Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations