Summary of LIFE Malopolska – January 2024

Highlights:

12 January saw the graduation ceremony of the third edition of postgraduate studies. Air protection, sustainable energy sources, energy efficiency or local energy planning were just some of the courses offered at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków. 32 employees from 27 municipalities in Małopolska had the opportunity to explore knowledge useful in their everyday professional lives. The course was dedicated to employees of municipalities who are mainly involved in air protection. The students gained not only theoretical knowledge, but also practical skills. It is worth noting that the students took part in workshops on self-presentation, public speaking and negotiation in order to make their work even more effective in everyday contact with residents.

A series of meetings between the Clean Air Programme Operators and the Eco-Advisors from Małopolska took place in January. The meetings were attended by more than 260 employees of local authorities in the areas where the Operators conduct their activities. The purpose of the meetings was to get to know each other, understand the roles of each party and facilitate effective cooperation. In addition to the Operators, the meetings were also attended by representatives of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, the Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Krakow and the Marshal’s Office, which was responsible for coordinating the meetings.

A LIFE Information Day took place on 11 January, providing a unique opportunity to learn more about the opportunities offered by the LIFE Programme. During the event, 13 entities received thanks for their current implementation of LIFE. Małopolskie Voivodeship for the implementation of 2 LIFE projects received an award in the category: Local Government that uses LIFE funds most effectively. The award was received by Tomasz Pietrusiak – Deputy Director of the Environment Department of the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolska Region.

On 25 January, the first meeting of the year entitled Forum of Commune Heads, Mayors and Presidents of Małopolska took place in Tauron Arena Krakow. At the meeting, the new financial perspective of the European Funds for Małopolska for 2021-2027 (FEM) was presented. Representatives of the Department of Environment of the Marshal’s Office indicated programmes particularly related to environmental protection. Tomasz Pietrusiak Deputy Director of the Environmental Department of the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolska Region discussed the concept of climate-neutral schools. During the meeting, Katarzyna Stadnik, Head of the Air Protection Team, presented current calls for projects under the FEM, with a particular focus on air protection measures.

On 16 and 25 January, free training courses were held on the possibility of applying for funding for equipment for municipal/inter-municipal guards under FEM 2021-2027. The meetings were organised by the European Funds Information Points and the Department of the Environment. The trainings were aimed at local government units. A total of 62 participants attended. Among them were representatives of municipalities and municipal guards. During both training sessions, information was presented on the scope of support and the conditions for applying for funds, the principles of expenditure eligibility, project assessment criteria, the process of registering an application in the IGA system, and the principles for preparing a project application.

Competence Centre

„Eco-intervention” application

In January, 387 applications were accepted. The application is available at https://ekomalopolska.pl/app/ekointerwencja/index.html.

In January, there were:

312 reports of air pollution,
35 reports of wild dumps,
32 reports of sewage and waste discharge,
8 reports were classified as other reports,

The Competence Centre responded to more than 40 enquiries addressed to the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolska Region in the form of e-mails and 70 telephone enquiries.