The government has made a decision. The construction of shelters for Poles begins, we know the date and amount

The government has officially begun work on a task to revolutionize the civilian protection strategy in Poland. A key component of the plan is the establishment of a peculiar special intent vehicle (SPV) in the structures of the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego. Its sole task will be to finance and supervise the construction of shelters and another protection infrastructure on a massive scale. An tremendous amount has been allocated for this intent PLN 26 billion, coming from EU funds under the National Recovery Plan (NRP). It is simply a historical and unprecedented movement in Europe that redirects funds originally intended to rebuild the economy after the pandemic for the safety and defence objectives of the country. The Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, confirmed that the bill was already on the list of legislative work of the government, and the full process is gaining momentum. Poles are shortly to know the circumstantial locations and schedules of the first investments, which are intended to increase their safety in the face of a changing geopolitical situation.

Special company in BGK and PLN 26 billion. Yes Poland will fund shelters

The heart of the full task is simply a unique financial mechanism. alternatively of creating a new, complex government agency, it was decided to include a peculiar intent company (SPV) in the statutory activity Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego. This solution is intended to guarantee transparency, efficiency and fast mobilisation of funds. According to Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, the bill on the implementation of the safety and Defence Fund under the KPO is already being implemented.

This fund will be provided with a sum EUR 5.58 billion, representing about PLN 26 billion. This money comes straight from the National Recovery Plan, which is an issue on the scale of the European Union. Poland as the only associate country negotiated the anticipation of redirecting these funds to defence purposes. EU ministers agreed to this in June, which opened the way for this ambitious programme. BGK will be the sole owner of the recently established company, which guarantees full State control over the implementation of the investment.

The task of SPV will be not only to order the construction, but besides to manage the full investment process – from task selection to execution supervision to final settlement. This centralised approach is designed to destruct bureaucratic barriers and accelerate the implementation of key tasks for your security.

What precisely is going to happen with the money from KPO? They're not just bunkers.

Although the public debate speaks most about shelters, the programme has a much broader scope. The safety and Defence Fund will fund a number of investments that will full strengthen the state's resilience. The funds will be allocated to respective key areas, which shows the strategical and multidimensional reasoning of the bill designers.

The main investment objectives of the Fund are:

• Construction and modernisation of protective structures and civilian protection infrastructure. This includes both classical shelters and hiding for immediate use, which can be created e.g. by adapting existing facilities specified as underground parking.
• Investments in dual-use infrastructure. This is about roads, bridges or railway lines that service civilian purposes during peacetime, but are designed to be utilized for fast deployment of troops and equipment in a crisis situation.
• Strengthen cybersecurity. A crucial part of the backing will be utilized to defend key state systems and critical infrastructure from cyberspace attacks.
• Modernisation of companies and support for defence technologies. The peculiar intent vehicle will be able to make capital contributions to Polish companies that make innovative technologies for defence purposes. This is to stimulate the improvement of the national arms industry.

Such a broad approach guarantees that money from KPO will not only increase the physical safety of citizens, but will besides strengthen the Polish economy and its technological potential.

Key dates and schedule. erstwhile will they start their first investments?

The government is working on this issue with large determination, as can be seen from the work agenda presented. It is crucial to adopt the legal framework rapidly to launch the backing stream as shortly as possible. According to the announcements of the Pełczyńska-Nałęcz Ministry, the legislative process is to run smoothly and the first real effects of the programme are to be seen in the close future.

The most crucial deadlines to pay attention to are:

• 22 July 2024. – The bill on the safety and Defence Fund was officially included in the list of government legislative work. It's the formal beginning of the trial.
• End of September / autumn 2024. – The planned date of adoption of the bill by Parliament. erstwhile the president has signed, the fresh law will enter into force, allowing the formal establishment of a peculiar intent company in BGK.
• Since 2026 – Start of financing first, concrete investments. The transitional period will be utilized to prepare procedures, identify precedence projects and carry out the essential analyses.

This means that even though the first shovel will should be inserted under the construction of the shelter, the foundations under the full strategy are laid now. The fast pace of legislative work is simply a signal that the authorities consider civilian protection as an absolute priority.

Who will oversee the giant project? The Government shall appoint a Steering Committee

To guarantee efficient coordination and supervision of the spending of specified immense resources, the bill provides for the establishment of a peculiar Steering Committee. It will be an interministerial body, which will include representatives key to the safety of the state of ministries. specified a structure is to guarantee that all investments will be carried out in accordance with the strategical interests of Poland.

According to the draft, the Steering Committee will include:

• Minister of Funds and Regional Policy (as President)
• Minister of Defence (as Chairman)
• Minister of State Acts
• Minister for Digital Affairs
• Minister for the Interior and Administration
• Minister of Economy
• Minister for Infrastructure

The presence of representatives of so many ministries shows a comprehensive approach to the issue. The decisions taken by the Committee will take into account not only purely military but besides economic, logistical and social aspects. It is this body that will find the strategical directions of the activity of the peculiar intent vehicle and approve the most crucial projects for financing, ensuring that PLN 26 billion will be spent in the most efficient way and in accordance with the needs of the state.