On 14 May, a conference open to journalists and the public took place in Warsaw to promote many archaeological and palaeontological findings, which have been discovered during construction works, as part of the implementation of ESI Funds projects in Poland within the Infrastructure and Environment Programme.
“Feniks” rising from the ashes
- 18 May 2021
The event, in hybrid form, took place in the Museum of Independence in Warsaw. It was accompanied by a photo exhibition of the discoveries made during the construction of the EU funded subway in Warsaw.
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy was represented by Christopher Todd who gave a speech, alongside the Polish Minister in charge of the EU Funds Waldemar Buda and some experts in the field of archaeology.
Shedding light on the future of Poland
As highlighted by the Conference and the photo exhibition, through unexpected, accidental archaeological discoveries, the past resurfaced and contributed to a better understanding of the history and pre-history of Poland. Moreover, the discovery of animal bones, vessels, coins, tools of worship and human remains, which can now be seen again and admired in museums, have also shed light on the future thanks to the knowledge they convey.
Poland will continue to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of EU funds in the coming years (2021-2027). It will receive EUR 76 billion under cohesion policy in current prices. The next edition of the Operational Programme for Infrastructure and Environment is under negotiation, with the interesting proposed name of “FENIKS”. This future Programme, same as the current one, is going to change “space”: it will be a huge infrastructure investment in the environment, energy, transport, health and culture sectors. At the same time, it will also change how we perceive “time”, and – like the phoenix rising from the ashes – it will bring some things back to life.
The Programme will contribute to Poland’s bright future by building and investing in infrastructure – a sign of EU’s long-lasting support to Poland for many years to come. But it may also write the history of the past thanks to the possible discovery of additional archaeological treasures at construction sites.
Background
The Polish Operational Programme for Infrastructure and Environment is the single largest programme financed from EU cohesion policy. Its 2014-2020 edition amounted to EUR 27 billion of European Union support from the Cohesion Fund and the European Regional Development Fund. The programme is still under implementation, but most projects are already in their advanced stage.
We can already see tangible, concrete results all over Poland. The funding will result in over 2000 kilometers of built or modernized roads, 1000 kilometers of modernized railways, 1600 buildings undergoing energy efficient refurbishment, 360 cultural monuments undergoing renovation – just to name a few.