Thanks to European Funds, environmental awareness of Małopolska inhabitants will increase
The people of Małopolska region will gain new tools and knowledge about introducing effective energy solutions, which will translate into an increase in environmental awareness and, ultimately, an improvement in air quality in our region. The Małopolska Voivodeship Board decided to co-finance this process with over PLN 18.7 million from European Funds.
Małopolska’s municipalities will undertake an energy transformation, in the interests of the sustainable development and environmental protection of our region. Funding will cover activities under the non-competitive project No. FEMP.02.05-IZ.00-0264/24 entitled ‘Support for energy transformation of municipalities in the Małopolska voivodeship’, submitted by the Małopolskie voivodeship under the European Funds for Małopolska region 2021-2027 programme.
It aims to support the sustainable development of the region through the implementation of innovative solutions. These actions will contribute to climate protection and improved air quality in Małopolska region. They focus mainly on education, promotion and the introduction of efficient energy solutions. It will also support the involvement of local communities in the energy transition process.
Education for Eco-managers and employees of Local Government Units
The project plans a variety of educational activities aimed at representatives of local government units and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Participants will have the opportunity to take part in:
- trainings,
- workshops
- meetings,
- conferences on energy transition.
A two-semester postgraduate course will be organised for Eco-managers and employees of municipalities and units involved in the implementation of the Air Protection Programme. Participants will acquire broad practical and theoretical knowledge in the field of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and air protection, etc. It is expected that the studies will educate up to 120 people, which will contribute to an increase in the number of qualified specialists in the province.
In addition to the postgraduate studies, it is planned to organise 12 editions of training courses for Eco-advisors and employees of Local Government Units, which will cover, among other things:
- research with a thermal imaging camera,
- financing of pro-ecological activities,
- environmental education,
- air protection.
The training sessions will take place either in the form of classroom training or with online streaming, and will be attended by around 1,400 people. In addition, workshops will be organised for chimney sweeps and municipal guards, in eight series with an average of 30 participants each time. The topics of the workshops will focus on the acquisition of data related to the Central Building Emission Inventory and the control and verification of emission sources.
Throughout the project, coordination meetings are planned to exchange knowledge and systematise activities. The meetings will be aimed at employees of Local Government Units and Eco-managers, and will gather an average of 30 participants each time. In order to raise the participants’ competences, four study visits are also planned, including two at home and two abroad, for an average of 50 people each. These will be trips to public institutions and industrial plants, allowing them to gain practical knowledge and make valuable contacts for the development of municipalities and the province.
Raising environmental awareness
In order to raise the environmental awareness of the inhabitants of Małopolska region, the project assumes that three regional information campaigns will be conducted, which will cover air quality, energy efficiency and topics (e.g. environmental) related to the implementation of the project, etc. The campaigns will cover a variety of communication channels such as radio, press, television and social media. In addition, it is planned to develop information materials such as leaflets, posters and brochures on an annual basis, which will serve to better educate residents and provide for the information and education needs of all groups of residents.
The project will also include a new website, which will act as an effective information channel, allowing residents to better understand the issue of air protection.
Air quality monitoring
Also, air quality monitoring will be an important part of the project, which aims to raise awareness of pollution among residents. As part of this task, large-format LED boards will be launched to provide information on air quality, and air quality meters will be installed in municipalities. In addition, the project involves the rental of a mobile laboratory to measure pollution in Malopolska’s health resorts.
The total cost of the project is more than PLN 22 million, of which more than 18.7 million comes from European Funds. The implementation period is scheduled from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2028.
