LIFE Malopolska Summary – October 2025

The Excellence Centre coordinates activities aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Air Quality Plan. It provides ongoing support and training for Ecomanagers in all relevant areas. The centre also develops tools to support the work of Ecomanagers.

The Marshal Office of the Malopolska Region (MO) collected information from municipalities in Malopolska regarding boiler replacements in the first half of 2025. From January to June 2025, 1,396 applications for co-financing were submitted – covering both the replacement of inefficient heating sources and building thermomodernization (e.g., wall insulation, window replacement, or heating system upgrades).

During the same period, old solid-fuel stoves were removed and replaced with modern, lower-emission heating devices in 6,950 buildings.

The highest number of heating sources was replaced in the following municipalities:

Wieliczka – 395 boilers
Brzesko – 291 boilers
Czernichów – 203 boilers
Nowy Sącz – 202 boilers
Nowy Targ (urban area) – 179 boilers
Myślenice – 167 boilers
Nowy Targ (rural area) – 156 boilers

In Malopolska, heating declarations were entered into the Central Register of Building Emissions for 612,758 addresses. It is estimated that the database is approximately 78% complete (according to data from the Chief Office of Building Supervision as of September 22).

2. The “Climate-CE-Clean Air” Congress is Behind Us!

On October 15–16, the “Climate – Circular Economy (CE) – Air” Congress took place in Krakow, organized by the Department of Environment of the Marshal Office of the Malopolska Region (MO). The event brought together representatives from local governments, academia, non-governmental organizations, and institutions funding pro-environmental actions. The Congress programme included numerous thematic panels and workshops, organized in three main blocks:

Circular Economy (CE): from CE in Europe to local implementations – good practices, educational activities, resource management.
Energy Transition and Climate Neutrality: the role of municipalities in the energy transition, municipal self-sufficiency, hydrogen energy, energy communities (clusters, cooperatives, virtual power plants), artificial intelligence and climate challenges.
Air and Environmental Quality: greenery as a tool against smog, air quality issues in spa towns, thermomodernization of historic buildings, effective approaches to RES.

During the “AIR” panel, participants emphasized that fighting smog requires integrated actions – from education and resident engagement, through reducing emissions from transport, to effective stove inspections. Experts highlighted the importance of long-term ecological education, development of public transport and cycling infrastructure, and building social trust through the enforcement of anti-smog regulations. Discussions also focused on air quality in spa towns, where a clean environment is fundamental for health and the competitiveness of tourist regions. In the second part of the conference, the focus was on practical solutions, such as urban greening, thermomodernization of historic buildings, and the development of renewable energy sources (RES).

3. Recommendation Workshop on “Analysis of the Impact of the Integrated LIFE IP Malopolska Project on the Regional Economy and Social Issues”

On October 27, a recommendation workshop was held with the executor of the Analysis of the Impact of the Integrated LIFE IP Malopolska Project on the Regional Economy and Social Issues. During the meeting, comments on the prepared document were discussed and solutions were developed.

4. Meeting within the Air Protection Working Group

On October 31, representatives of the Excellence Centre participated in a meeting of the Air Protection Working Group with the executors of the study entitled “Guidelines for Determining Corrective Actions under Air Quality Plans, Short-Term Action Plans, and Air Quality Action Plans”, prepared on behalf of the Ministry of Climate and Environment.

C2. Excellence Centre – “Ecointevention” Application

In October, 369 reports were submitted through the application, which is also available on the website.

The reports included: