Adaptation to climate change, prevention and risk management is one of the priorities of the Cohesion Policy.
European Union by 2020. These are activities not only in the area of low-carbon economy, but also effective prevention of natural disasters, for which more than 120 million USD of the Regional Operational Programme 2014-2020 has been allocated.
Rapid response to threats
If, however, there is already a risk of a natural disaster, the information must reach the inhabitants in no time at all. But how can this be coordinated if there are more than 5 million inhabitants or if there is a threat in the middle of the night? It is necessary to build an integrated warning system, which will enable alarming people at risk from the central level, i.e. by the Provincial Centre for Crisis Management. Such was the idea of the Governor’s Recommendation for the construction of an integrated system for warning and alerting the population about threats to the Regional Operational Programme 2014-2020.
Until 30 December 2012 it is possible to submit applications for co-financing of projects in this area (Measure 5.1 Adaptation to climate change). What is important, when applying for funding for alarm systems against natural hazards, it is necessary to comply with the Voivode’s Recommendations. EU funds will be used to purchase sets of alarm sirens, their installation and equipment. A siren must have a minimum power of 300 Watt. Within the framework of the project it is possible to purchase a control and control centre, however, it should be remembered that there can be a maximum of one centre in a given district. The competition is aimed mainly at local governments and their organizational units, and its implementation is planned for 21.2 million USD.
Minimising risk
The prevention of floods and droughts is an example of the measures for which it will be possible to obtain EU support in. Co-financing will be available, for example, for projects involving the construction or modernisation of retention reservoirs, as well as securing the flow of water. When applying for funds, one should pay attention to the compliance of the planned project with the Small Retention Program for flood risk maps developed by the National Water Management Authority.
In the second quarter of 2016, a competition for the development of complex small retention systems for forest areas will be organized. The pool of funds allocated for this recruitment is USD 5.7 million. In the next quarter, however, there will be a possibility to apply for funds to secure the run-off of floodwater in areas of special flood risk. The competition is planned for USD 42.6 million. The funds will be available to local governments, water companies and PGL authorities. The full schedule of calls for proposals for 2016 is available on the website.
Professional preparation
The budget of the RPO WM 2014-2020 will also finance the necessary rescue and fire-fighting equipment for the Voluntary Fire Brigades. The competition in this respect is planned for the first quarter of 2016 and its amount will amount to USD 6.2 million. The additional equipment may include specialist equipment for altitude, chemical and ecological rescue, or search and rescue groups. TSO units carrying out flood protection tasks may also count on co-financing of the equipment.
What funds are available for?
For the years 2014-2020 is guaranteed over USD 8 billion of EU support, directed mainly to business, administration and the scientific sector. The maximum co-financing will amount to 80% of the investment value. In 2016, 47 competitions for the total amount of USD 2.3 billion will be announced. Three calls worth USD 54.7 million will be made for adaptation to climate change. Seven competitions will focus on activities related to the transition to a low-carbon economy, including, among others, ensuring energy security using renewable energy sources (RES). Then Unit for Implementation of EU Programmes is responsible for disbursement of funds from the Regional Operational Programme. on EU funds for is available on the following website
EU funds for better crisis response systems
