Coronavirus response: €20 million to support the health sector and businesses in Poland

Thanks to a modification of the Operational Programme for Kujawsko-Pomorskie region in Poland, nearly €20 million are now available to help tackle the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic in the country. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “Kujawsko-Pomorskie is one of the hardest hit regions in Poland and this decision will provide much needed relief to companies and medical and social personnel. No region in the EU is left to face the crisis alone.” Kujawsko-Pomorskie will benefit from an extra €3.45 million to provide working capital for micro, small and medium-sized businesses. €2.5 million will be used in vocational training infrastructure and to provide students and teachers with proper remote schooling conditions through the purchase of laptops and mobile internet. €8.8 million will increase accessibility of health services as well as social services for people at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Search and rescue infrastructure and services will receive €0.7 million, while €4.4 million will be directed to the improvement of health and social infrastructure. Regional hospitals have already received, among other equipment, 158 respirators, 11 fully equipped ambulances, 52 disinfection and decontamination apparatus and 10,000 COVID-19 diagnostic tests for employees of social welfare homes, care and treatment facilities, nursing and care facilities, social welfare centers, shelters and night shelters for the homeless. The modification was possible thanks to the exceptional flexibility under the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative (CRII) and Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative Plus (CRII+), which allow Member States to use Cohesion policy funding to support the sectors most exposed to the pandemic and its economic consequences, such as healthcare, SMEs and labour markets. For more information on EU Cohesion policy’s response to the crisis, visit the Coronavirus Dashboard.