Dear Sir or Madam, Dear Local Government Officials!

The year 2023 opens up new development prospects for Lower Silesia connected with the use of EU funds negotiated by the Voivodeship Board. This amounts to nearly PLN 11 billion under the European Funds for Lower Silesia, which together we will allocate, through 2027, to the sustainable development of the entire voivodeship. From the EU budget amount initially granted to the region, amounting to EUR 870 million, we negotiated a doubling to more than EUR 1.7 billion. In addition, our region will receive more than EUR 580 million for the Wałbrzych subregion under the Just Transition Fund, dedicated to the development of post-mining areas. The European Funds for Lower Silesia represent a record amount of nearly EUR 2.3 billion and a shared success for the people of Lower Silesia.

In December last year, the European Commission approved the regional programme of the European Funds for Lower Silesia for 2021–2027. Thanks to the new EU budget, residents of our region will be able to benefit from new investments created to improve their quality of life. We achieved this through our cooperation in local government. I thank you, local government officials—village heads, mayors, county executives, city presidents, and social partners—for your commitment and for building dialogue.

The preparation of the regional programme of the European Funds for Lower Silesia for 2021–2027 took place with broad participation from representatives of local governments throughout the region. We worked together in working groups, participated in public consultations, and, as the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Board, incorporated the demands developed through consensus while respecting the principle of partnership.

Already in April this year, we will launch the first calls under the European funds. Remaining committed to dialogue and cooperation among local governments, we, as the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Board, established the Monitoring Committee for the European Funds for Lower Silesia programme for 2021–2027.

The Monitoring Committee for EFLS 2021–2027 operates as an independent advisory and consultative body for the Managing Authority of the Regional Programme—that is, the Marshal’s Office of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Several dozen representatives participate in the Committee’s work, including representatives of the Programme Managing Authority—the Marshal’s Office; Intermediate Bodies (the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Labour Office and the Lower Silesian Intermediate Body); representatives of the Integrated Territorial Investments of the Wałbrzych Functional Area, the Jelenia Góra Functional Area, the Wrocław Functional Area, the Legnica–Głogów Functional Area, the Western Functional Area and the Southern Functional Area; the Integrated Territorial Investments of the Wrocław Subregion; as well as representatives of local government units and non-governmental organisations. Next Monday, 27 February this year, the Committee’s inaugural meeting will be held in the session hall of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Regional Assembly, with the participation of representatives of the European Commission. I cordially invite you to attend.

I also thank you for participating in the conference on European funds organised by the voivodeship local government and the Rzeczpospolita Samorządna Association. The strong attendance of local government officials from throughout the region highlights the enormous role these funds play in the development of our voivodeship.

Today, Lower Silesia is one of the fastest-developing regions in the entire European Union. We owe this strong position to the hard work of the people of Lower Silesia and the synergy of activities by local government, academia, business and non-governmental organisations. Our cooperation is of key importance to the voivodeship. I already invite you to participate in the conference inaugurating the implementation of European funds, which will be held on 4 April this year. I am convinced that your commitment at such an important moment, one that Lower Silesia is facing, will be our shared goal.

We are working together to maintain the dynamic pace of sustainable development throughout the region, in all the cities, communes and counties of Lower Silesia, and thus to improve the quality of life of the people of Lower Silesia.

Cezary Przybylski
Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship