The European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Investment Fund and the Silesia Region in Poland are working together to support the social economy and improve urban areas in the region.
Under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the EIB and the Board of Silesia Voivodship created a fund of funds for the programming period 2014-2020. The EIB manages €54 million on behalf of the region.
This fund of funds is one of the financial instruments that the EIB is deploying in EU countries. Read more about our shared management funds and financial instruments.
Investing in the social economy and urban renewal
Revitalised urban areas, with better infrastructure, can lead to better and more efficient cities, a higher quality of life, faster economic development and more respect for the environment.
What is eligible
Projects that revitalise socially, economically and environmentally degraded areas by restoring their historical functions or assigning new ones.
Examples of such projects include:
- Conversion of degraded and unused industrial facilities and regeneration of post-military and post-industrial areas to promote education, leisure, sports, culture or economy
- Creation of spaces for commercial and social activity in order to enhance project profitability
- Revitalisation of old and degraded urban areas characterised by lack of access to high quality services
- Improvements to public safety
- Basic technical and social infrastructure
Who can apply
- Self-government units, their unions and associations
- Non-governmental organisations
- Entities whose majority shareholders are self-government units or their unions and associations
- Entities acting on behalf of self-government units, selected in accordance with the public procurement law
- Churches and religious associations, as well as legal persons of churches and religious associations
- Entities classified as public finance sector units having legal personality
- Housing cooperatives, housing associations, social housing associations
- Entrepreneurs
Where to apply
Click on the logo for more information:
Highlighted stories
Upgraded outdoor pool in Wisła
The team behind this project will use the financial support to revitalise and reconstruct a swimming pool in Wisła, in the Silesian Beskids mountain range. The project includes demolition works, renovation of historic buildings and the construction of new buildings, and above all, the reconstruction of swimming pools equipped with the latest technology and solutions so people can spend time along the Wisła, Poland’s longest and largest river.
New life for the historic railway station in Katowice
The project promotors in Katowice will transform the buildings of the historic railway station into a hub for social-cultural, educational and economic activities for local companies, students and entrepreneurs. The revitalised buildings will improve the lives of Katowice’s habitants and become a main attraction for tourists, visitors, other residents and businesses.
Indoor sports centre in Sosnowiec
The financial support will be used to renew, reconstruct and enlarge the indoor swimming pool and gym in Sosnowiec. The project also includes the development of the area around the facility, including the reconstruction of the network and connections of heat, water, sanitary and rainwater drainage systems, and the construction of a new electricity connection with the addition of a transformer station.
About the European Structural and Investment Funds
Through the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) financial instruments, the EU invests in local and regional projects that contribute to job creation and a sustainable and healthy European economy.
The European Regional Development Fund is one of the five available ESI Funds. It strengthens economic and social cohesion in the EU by correcting imbalances between regions. The European Social Fund (ESF) is also part of the ESI Funds. It is Europe’s main instrument for supporting jobs, helping people get better jobs and ensuring fairer job opportunities for all EU citizens.
Poland and the EIB
The EIB has worked with Poland since 1990. We modernised the Warsaw airport and repaired flood damage. We financed urban renewal in Katowice to reduce disparities in regional development, make the economy more competitive and improve people’s living standards.
The social economy helps people who have difficulties finding a job to start their own business. It promotes self-employment, entrepreneurship and business creation, including support for innovative micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
What is eligible
Social economy projects that contribute to the development of entrepreneurship and growth of self-employment among the unemployed, promoting business creation and enhancing professional activity in the Silesia Voivodship.
Who can apply
Financing can be provided to people who:
Where to apply
Click on the logo for more information: