Last August we started Funding – a series of publications and information in which in the following months we summarized the most crucial events and invited to fund activities.
We've been talking. under the “European Funds for the improvement of Enterprises in the Financial position 2021-2027” task financed by the European Funds method Assistance Programme 2021-2027. The task is implemented by the Confederation of Leviathan and the Association of Employers Business Centre Club.
The cycle included 18 editions, in which we summarized the most crucial events, programme changes and fresh support instruments for companies and public institutions.
KPO: evidence measures and real impact on investments
One of the key themes of the full cycle was National Reconstruction Plan. The Polish budget is almost affected PLN 100 billion, which are successively launched in areas specified as energy, infrastructure, wellness care or digitalisation. The scale and pace of spending from KPO importantly influenced the dynamics of investment in fresh months. In the close future Poland plans to submit further payment applications.
New EU priorities: safety and resilience
The last year brought a clear change of accents in EU programmes and in KPO. Issues are increasingly crucial safety, resilience of infrastructure and technological independence. National and regional programmes have identified fresh priorities relating to cybersecurity, military mobility and the protection of critical infrastructure. The KPO was besides created Security and Defence Fund. These changes are a direct consequence to the geopolitical situation and expanding risks to economical stability.
Innovation: Acceleration and fresh instruments
Innovation support remained 1 of the most frequently analysed topics in the cycle. In particular, this was the case SMART Pathswhich is of large interest to entrepreneurs. In fresh months, it has accelerated the process of evaluating applications, although only a tiny part of them inactive end with the grant decision. Discussions are ongoing on possible changes in this instrument.
An crucial novelty was besides the launch STEP – A strategical technology support instrument in areas biotech, cleantech and deeptechwhich forms part of the EU's efforts to strengthen technological autonomy.
Not only EU funds
We have besides highlighted another sources of improvement backing in the Fund Facts cycle. A fresh edition began in 2025. Norwegian and European economical Area Funds. Poland will receive almost PLN 4 billion, which is the highest amount of 15 countries utilizing these mechanisms. The first competitions are planned for 2026.
Preparations for the fresh financial position 2028-2034
In parallel to the current implementation of the Funds, there is simply a debate on the future financial perspective. In July 2025, the European Commission presented a draft next EU budget worth nearly EUR 2 trillion. According to the first proposals, Poland would stay its largest beneficiary – with a pool of ca. EUR 123 billion. The associate States are facing a long negotiation process, but it is already worth following the lines of change and priorities that will apply after 2027.
Scale of implementation of funds in figures
In summary, the period of implementation of the position 2021-2027, the data show a clear acceleration:
institutions announced almost 4 000 calls for proposals,
applicants submitted more than 67 000 applications,
signed almost 23 000 grant agreements.
These figures well illustrate the scale of activity and the pace of usage of available resources.
The conclusion of the Fund Facts cycle does not mean the end of the fund discussion. We are facing further years of implementation of the current perspective, fresh instruments and preparations for the next EU budget.
