20 years of Malopolska in the European Union.

European funds are changing the daily lives of residents 

• In 20 years, Małopolska has already invested approx. PLN 71 billion from the EU pool
• Every resident of Małopolska can check how many projects are implemented in their area thanks to mapadotacje.gov.pl

• Not only the giants are benefiting. The map is teeming with towns and villages boasting modernization of local roads, construction of playgrounds, restoration of historical monuments or creation of recreational spaces

It's been 20 years since Poland became a member of the European Union. How has this crucial - not only in terms of investment - period been used in Małopolska? Thanks to European Funds, the region has experienced dynamic development and modernization, which are visible at every step. More than 21,000 projects have been implemented, which have had a significant impact on transportation, safety, education and the living comfort of residents, both in large cities and smaller towns.

One of the most visible effects of European Funds in Małopolska is the development of road infrastructure. One of the most advanced projects, the construction of the S7 expressway between Moczydło and Miechów, is an investment that has received funding of nearly PLN 500 million. Thanks to it, the region's residents can enjoy faster and safer travel between cities. Key projects such as the construction of the A4 highway and the development of the S7 network demonstrate the importance of raising funds in infrastructure for the long-term development of the region. The construction of a 57-kilometer section of the A4 between Targowisko and Tarnów, subsidized with PLN 850 million, was also a huge investment, significantly improving communication and road safety. Changes are also visible in the cities themselves. And we're not just talking about road repairs.

An excellent example can be found, for example, in Krakow, where the modernization of public transportation - including the purchase of a low-floor streetcar fleet - has significantly improved the quality of travel. The project, worth PLN 185 million, has improved public transportation, making it more accessible to the elderly and disabled.

Małopolska is a region that cares about health and the environment. Green investments in key areas

Investment in the health sector is another area where European Funds have played a key role. The project that first comes to mind? If you're a frequent visitor to the provincial capital, it would probably be the new headquarters of the University Hospital in Krakow-Prokocim (equipped for more than PLN 236 million - ed.). This is another place on the map of the province where patients can count on medical care at the highest level.

Thanks to EU support, schools in Małopolska have also undergone a real metamorphosis. Investments in energy-efficient school buildings, equipped with modern teaching aids, provide students with comfortable learning conditions. In the long term, such projects are expected not only to improve energy efficiency, but also to influence better educational results.

Environmental protection is one of the priorities of the European Funds, and we can also see this by reviewing more projects. One of them is the construction of the Eco-Incineration Plant in Cracow, a blockbuster example of an investment that contributes to the sustainable development of the city. Thanks to modern technologies, Cracow effectively manages its waste, minimizing its negative impact on the environment.

Entire regions benefit from European Funds

Of course, it is not only provincial cities that benefit from EU funds. More towns and cities over the past 20 years have been able to boast of modernizing local roads, building playgrounds, renovating historical monuments or creating recreational spaces. In Nowy Sącz, thanks to EU funds, local schools were modernized, enabling the creation of modern computer rooms and language labs, which are used by hundreds of students every day. In Tarnow, a project was implemented to build a new sports center that offers residents access to swimming pools, gyms and sports fields, promoting an active lifestyle.

Investments in Oświęcim have focused on improving tourist infrastructure. Thanks to EU support, the historic market square was restored and bicycle paths were created, attracting both residents and tourists. In Myślenice, EU funds enabled the construction of modern playgrounds and recreational spaces that have become meeting places for the local community. In Brzesko, EU funds allowed the modernization of the municipal hospital, and in Zakopane, the capital of the Polish Tatra Mountains, European funds contributed to, for example, the improvement of ski infrastructure or the modernization of our beautiful trails.

Twenty years is an investment eternity. However, when we look at numbers such as more than 21,000 completed projects, in which EU funding amounted to more than 71 billion zlotys, we become convinced that during this time we have been able to successfully join and succeed in the European system.