– The Instrument for Reconstruction and Enhancing Immunity (RRF; in Poland: KPO) is simply a fresh instrument that we introduced immediately after the outbreak of the coronavirus-induced pandemic.
It operates differently from another funds, offering investment resources, and in parallel associate States implement reforms to strengthen their position, support the economy, modernise education and wellness care. This is simply a fresh instrument, which took a long time to implement, so there are delays in all associate States, any larger, others smaller," says Newseria Siegfried Mureşan, associate of the European Parliament from Romania, Vice-President of the Group of the European People's organization (from Poland there are 21 MEPs from PO and 2 from PSL) and co-rapporteur of the EP for the Instrument for Reconstruction and Enhancing Resistance.
The EP underlines the request to extend the deadline for implementation of projects under the KPO
The Instrument for opposition Reconstruction and Enhancement (RRF) – launched after the COVID-19 pandemic – expires in August 2026. Euro MPs in the late adopted resolution request that this deadline be extended by 18 months for key projects close to completion. This is peculiarly crucial for Poland, which for 3 years – through a dispute between the erstwhile government and the European Commission – had blocked access to funds from the National Reconstruction Plan (KPO). At the same time, the resolution calls for greater transparency in the funds spent.
The resolution adopted at its June gathering with 421 votes underlines the request to extend the deadline for projects under national recovery plans. These are investments which will be at an advanced phase of implementation at the date of the expiry of the instrument, i.e. 31 August 2026, and will be approved by the European Commission.
The hazard that large-scale investments will not be completed
– Currently, only 1 associate State - Italy - has received six payments from the European Commission. 3 associate States benefited from 5 payments, respective out of four. 9 associate States received 3 payments and six received two, 1 or zero payments, as mentioned by Siegfried Mureşan. – An additional 18 months for successful completion of the RRF is simply a benefit for all associate States.
Euro MPs stressed in the resolution that besides short time for RRF projects is simply a hazard that large-scale investments will not be completed, as are the key reforms for individual countries. Parliamentary Committees: Budgetary and economical and Monetary Affairs have produced a joint study assessing the implementation of the RRF. As of 3 June 2025, RRF payments amounted to EUR 316 billion (49 % of the envelope). 31% of milestones and mark values were considered to have been realised and a further 22% were reported by associate States as completed.
The point is that Polish citizens should not endure from blocking funds for 3 years
"Unfortunately for Poland, for almost 3 years the RRF was frozen and blocked due to breaches of European values and EU regulations by the erstwhile anti-European government. It would so be fair besides for Poland to extend the operation of the instrument by 1.5 years to gain more time and access to all funds with the current effective pro-European government. The aim is that Polish citizens should not endure from the blocking of funds for 3 years as a consequence of the erstwhile government's malpractice – the co-rapporteur for the RRF evaluates.
The Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy informed on 24 June that almost 750 1000 contracts with beneficiaries had been concluded so far for a full of nearly PLN 121.5 billion, which represents just over 46 percent of the full KPO allocation for Poland. In the grant part, the contracts amount to over PLN 67 billion (60.1% allocation), and in the debt section – to PLN 54.3 billion (36.2% allocation).
RRF is the main investment tool for Next Generation EU
The EU Council late formally approved a revision of the Polish KPO, which includes the creation of the safety and Defence Fund of PLN 25 billion. This appropriation is intended to cover the construction of civilian protection infrastructure, specified as shelters, the expansion of the arms manufacture and the construction and renovation of dual-use infrastructure, as well as cybersecurity. MFiPR announces that in July it will carry out a 4th revision of KPO, and in September Poland will receive PLN 26.3 billion from the 4th and 5th payment applications. In autumn, she planned to submit 2 further payment applications.
Established in 2021, the RRF is the main investment tool for the Next Generation EU, an instrument that is the EU's consequence to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economical difficulties. Its budget is EUR 650 billion in grants and loans. associate States can finance reforms and investments in reconstruction that contribute to the EU's political priorities, i.e. environmental and digital transformation. The EP resolution underlines the stabilising impact of the RRF on associate States and the EU in times of economical and political uncertainty.
The EU presently spends more than always on the EU and RRF budget
– erstwhile the RRF was launched, it was 2020, before the illegal and unwarranted invasion of the Russian armed forces into Ukraine. The priorities were somewhat different at the time, but we were able to adjust them and include a peculiar pillar for energy projects that would reduce dependence on Russia. would increase energy efficiency and strengthen interconnections in this area. I am convinced that the transition to a digital economy, projects that reduce our energy dependency and thus reduce energy costs, and projects with dual usage – civilian and military – that defend European citizens should be a precedence for the remainder of the period, points out Siegfried Mureşan.
"The EU is presently spending more money than always from the EU and RRF budget. This means increased control and transparency. The European Court of Auditors, the European Public Prosecutor's Office and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) should be strengthened, they must gain more competence, as requested by a associate of the Committee on economical and Monetary Affairs. "In particular, the European Public Prosecutor's Office, which is the fresh institution created in fresh years, needs more staff and a budget increase, due to the fact that more people should be active in investigating irregularities and possible frauds.
