Programme description
The programme’s ambition for Silesia is to facilitate its just transition, making the region’s economy modern and competitive. This objective will allow citizens to enjoy better quality of life in a clean environment rich with development opportunities. With resources allocated from both the European Regional Development fund and the Just Transition Fund, the programme constitutes the largest allocation among all EU regional programmes and defines 13 key areas of intervention to deliver on its ambition.
Interventions will increase business activity in research, development, and innovation. The programme plans to support investments in research infrastructure and research implementation. The public sector will benefit from the process of digitisation, which, along with internationalisation will assist small businesses and entrepreneurship.
In line with environmental goals, the programme will support actions protecting biodiversity, furthering buildings energy efficiency and investments in renewable energy sources. EU funds will support multimodal transport infrastructure that contribute to the decarbonisation of urban mobility. Investments will contribute to improving safety on local and regional roads while boosting the accessibility and attractiveness of sustainable public transport. Outside urban centres, support will go to the development of zero-emission public rail transport of regional range.
The programme will invest also in inclusive education, vocational education and higher education, social and health services, as well as sustainable tourism and culture. Measures will seek to stabilise the regional labor market, reducing the effects of the economic slowdown that followed the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of the Russian aggression on Ukraine. The focus will be on bespoke measures to strengthen skills and competences matching the demand of a labour market increasingly driven transformed by the transition to greener and more digital ways of production. To match such a demand, the programme will encourage smart specialisations in the regions while workers will receive assistance adapting to market transformations.
Moreover, the programme encapsulates a dedicated support for the LGBT community. Funding will prioritise initiatives supporting housing for homeless LGBT people as well as teacher training. Silesia increased their social spending in JTF from 7% to 16%, mainstreaming its gender component and devoting a large allocation for skills development. Gender equality increased from EUR 1 million to EUR 15 million.
Under just transition measures, the programme’s support will be allocated to the development of centres supporting the creation and transfer of knowledge and technology for a green, smart, digital economy.
With the goal of preventing energy poverty, funding will go to the installation of ecological and affordable energy sources, increasing energy savings in public buildings and in the housing sector. To mitigate the effects of industrial activity on the environment, EU funds will support recultivation, regeneration, and restoration of post-industrial areas, with an eye to the removal of the risk of improperly stored waste. EU support will also play a role in the repurposing disaffected industrial areas. Funding will support the decontamination of water polluted by mining, along with support to improve water management.
Sustainable urban development is programmed using i.e., Integrated Territorial Instruments and will consume approx. 25,75% of the ERDF and 16,07% JTF.
The region took an ambitious approach towards the wider use of financial instruments. This concerns specially entrepreneurship, revitalisation, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. 12,34% of the ERDF allocation of the programme is dedicated to financial instruments.
Financial information
Breakdown of finances by priority axis
| Priority Axis | EU Investment | National Public Contribution | Total Public Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERDF | 2.092.328.592,00 | 369.234.462,00 | 2.461.563.054,00 |
| ESF+ | 829.921.892,00 | 146.456.806,00 | 976.378.698,00 |
| JTF | 2.216.868.989,00 | 391.212.178,00 | 2.608.081.167,00 |
| Total | 5.139.119.473,00 | 906.903.446,00 | 6.046.022.919,00 |
Priorities and Specific Objectives
Social Europe
Access to employment and activation measures for all
Equal access to quality social and healthcare services
Social integration of people at risk
Modernising labour market institutions
Gender balanced labour market participation
Adaptation of workers and enterprises to change
Quality and inclusive education and training systems
Lifelong learning and career transitions
Active inclusion and employability
Integration of third country nationals
JTF specific objective
Just Transition Fund
Smarter Europe
Enhancing research and innovation
Reaping the benefits of digitisation
Growth and competitiveness of SMEs
Greener Europe
Energy efficiency
Renewable energy
Climate change adaptation
Sustainable water
Circular economy
Nature protection and biodiversity
Sustainable urban mobility
Connected Europe
Sustainable transport
Social Europe
Education and training infrastructure
Integration of marginalised communities
Access to health care
Culture and sustainable tourism
Europe closer to citizens
Integrated development in urban areas
Integrated development in rural and coastal areas