PLN 34 154 387.62 — this is the amount the Polkowice district has received from the European Union in the past ten years. The largest proportion - more than 38% - was obtained by the district for scholarship projects, work placements abroad, refitting of workshops, and recently for the thermal modernisation of the School Complex in Polkowice. More than PLN 11 million was received for land surveying and reparcelling in Koźlice and Szklary Dolne. "We have used EU money to finance investments in environmental protection, as well as projects to promote employment and combat social exclusion, and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the local authority", said Marek Tramś, Head of Polkowice district.
"The key objective of EU programmes is to improve local people's living standards." Mr Tramś added that "as a highly developed district, with the lowest unemployment rate in the country, we were not eligible to benefit from many funds for the development and modernisation of infrastructure, but we still obtained substantial amounts, especially now in the framework of EU regional programme funds".
The Peoples of the United Europe School Complex will be undergoing comprehensive renovation. The school building dates from the 1990s, and after 20 years of use its façade is showing signs of wear and it lacks proper thermal insulation; it will therefore be undergoing general renovation. Thermal modernisation, i.e. additional insulation, will mean that there will no longer be excessive heat loss from the school buildings. It is also planned to replace the existing lighting with LED systems, thereby reducing energy consumption. The renovation will mean that the school will pay less for heating in winter and that learning and working conditions for teachers and pupils will be significantly improved.
"This project is necessary, particularly with a view to improving conditions for learning, but also in order to save on future maintenance costs", says Marek Tramś.
"Since last January we have been carrying out a project financed by the European Social Fund entitled "Change in education means success for our children!", adds the Head of Polkowice district. The total project value is PLN 618 270.66. Extra-curricular activities for pupils have already begun in biology, chemistry, physics, geography, mathematics, foreign languages, IT and business studies. EEG Biofeedback equipment was bought for the purposes of specialised courses for pupils. Educational and careers advice and psychological and educational counselling has also been launched. Project implementation will end on 31 July 2018.
Despite the numerous educational projects already implemented, the district has submitted a further application for co-financing of an educational project for the practical vocational preparation of pupils for the needs of the labour market, under Action 10.4 of the Lower Silesia Regional Operational Programme 2014-2020.
"This is another project submitted by the district this year under the Regional Operational Programme”, Marek Tramś points out. "We are waiting for applications for a total amount of PLN 5.5 million in EU funding to be processed."
The aim of the project is to improve the employment opportunities of 200 pupils from the technical and vocational schools at the school complexes in Chocianów and Polkowice. The projects will be implemented in cooperation between the Polkowice district and two district school authorities. Cooperation with employers is planned in the form of traineeships and apprenticeships for 172 pupils and specialised courses for 100 pupils. The activities will also include: a scholarship programme for talented students, career guidance, college and vocational courses. Young people will benefit from activities in a refitted advertising workshop, as well an IT and tourism workshop. There will also be courses and postgraduate studies for teachers and careers advisers.
