The Council of Ministers Approves the Shield for the Border Region
The government confirmed the approval of the program known as the Shield for the Border Region. This confirmation came from the deputy head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, Maciej Wąsik, during a Friday briefing with members of the parliamentary committee for internal affairs and administration. The announcement underscored the government’s commitment to supporting border area communities and stabilizing economic activity near the Belarusian boundary.
How long did it take to secure European Commission approval?
On January 26, 2023, the European Commission granted approval for the Polish government’s aid plan, which carries the working title Shield for the Border Region, with a total budget of €21 million. Wąsik noted that obtaining the green light from Brussels required a lengthy process, lasting roughly a year from the initial submission to final clearance. This timeline reflects the thorough review undertaken by the EC to ensure conformity with EU state aid rules and regional development objectives.
The government later presented an adopted resolution of the Council of Ministers, which now has legal force regarding the Shield for the Border Region program. The document formalizes the strategy, funding framework, and governance mechanisms intended to implement targeted support measures along the Polish-Belarusian border and to coordinate efforts with local authorities and stakeholders.
Where will the funds be directed?
Official information indicates that the funds will be directed toward businesses operating in the border area, with a focus on helping entities that faced limitations during earlier rounds of relief measures. In particular, large hotels located near the border region may benefit because they did not fully participate in compensation schemes for the tourism sector established by the national legislature in response to border restrictions and related emergencies. These facilities had previously exceeded the de minimis threshold after using government support for other projects, such as capital investments and modernization programs. The Shield for the Border Region aims to fill gaps, improve competitiveness, and support local employment as economic activity resumes in the area.
Additional notes emphasize that the program complements ongoing national efforts, including pre-financing of strategic projects under the National Recovery Plan and other funding streams from domestic resources. The overarching goal is to bolster border-area resilience, attract investment, and create sustainable jobs for residents who were adversely affected by border controls and associated regulations.
Citations: official parliamentary transmissions and policy briefings attributed to authorities covering the approval and roll-out of the Shield for the Border Region program. These sources are summarized for informational purposes and reflect the government’s stated objectives and administration-scale actions.
— The policy overview is intended to guide local partners and industry players through the program’s entry points, eligibility criteria, and anticipated timelines for project initiation and disbursement.
The information is reported with attribution to the parliamentary committee discussions and government statements that clarified how the shield would operate within the border economy and tourism sector, and how it aligns with broader regional development priorities.