Measure implementation allows for the social and economic development of rural areas and for the activation of rural population through support granted for the implementation of projects related to the public area management, including maintenance, reconstruction and improvement of cultural and nature heritage of rural areas and raising the tourist attractiveness of rural areas. The Measure will improve the living conditions of rural population and through promotion of rural areas. This will contribute to the development of rural population identity, preservation of cultural heritage and specify of rural areas, as well as to the increased attractiveness aith respect to tourism and investment on rural areas.

Scope of the measure

Financial aid is granted to entities for investment related to:

1) construction, reconstruction, renovation and fitting out of the following:

a) public, social and cultural, recreational and sport facilities,

b) facilities which are intended to promote rural areas, including promotion and preservation of the historical heritage, tradition, art and culture,

2) improvement of public space;

3) construction, renovation or reconstruction of public infrastructure associated with the development of tourism, sports, social and cultural functions;

4) purchase of historical monuments or structures specific for traditional rural architecture in a given area, including historical buildings, intended for public purposes;

5) renewal, exhibition or conservation of local historical monuments, buildings and memorial sites;

6) cultivation of the traditions inherent to the local community, as well as traditional professions.

Definition of a beneficiary

Legal person: community, cultural institution set up by a local self-government unit, as well as churches, or other religious communities, NGO with the status of public benefit organisation (in meaning of the Act of 24 April 2003 on the public benefit activities and voluntary work).

Eligibility criteria

Financial aid may be granted, if:

a) the project is implemented in a locality belonging to: a rural community, or an urban-rural community, except for towns having population of more than 5 thousand inhabitants, or an urban community, except for towns with population exceeding 5 thousand inhabitants,

b) the project falls within the scope of the Village Renewal Plan; c) the project is not of commercial nature

d) in case the project is implemented on a real estate which is not owned by the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary has the right to manage the property for the period of 7 years upon the project’s completion;

e) NGO carries out activities in the area convergent with the objectives of the Measure ‘Village renewal and development’, particularly on behalf of population mobilizing, development and preservation of cultural or natural heritage;

f) the project submitted by a cultural institution operating under the supervision of a local self-government entity should be approved by this entity.

Form and amount of aid

The financial aid has the form of reimbursement of part of the project eligible costs.

The maximum amount of aid for the implementation of projects in one locality cannot exceed PLN 500,000 within the Programme implementation period.

The amount of aid granted for implementation of one project cannot be lower than PLN 25,000.

Level of support

The level of financial aid from EAFARD is maximum 75% of project’s eligible costs.

The required national contribution of public funds of at least 25% of eligible project costs shall come from the Beneficiary’s own funds.