350 billion zlotys well invested in the Polish transport

Over the past 15 years, the Centre for EU Transport Projects has effectively and transparently accounted for the billions of zlotys invested in the Polish transport.

In 2021-2022, we verified the correctness of 3000 applications amounting to PLN 34 billion. The European Commission has approved 100% of the documents received from us. This was possible thanks to the multi-level control of legality, economy and efficiency in the use of EU funds introduced by the CEUTP, which drastically reduced the risk of fraud.

As a result, PLN 196 billion worth of investments have been made in Poland as part of the funding obtained in the 2014-2020 perspective.

The effects of projects in the transport sector co-financed with EU funds planned to be achieved in the 2014-2020 perspective are impressive.

Within the framework of the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment, at the end of the perspective we are expected to have, among other things:

• 2117 km of new roads,
• 90 km of reconstructed/upgraded roads,
• 1086 km of reconstructed/upgraded railway lines,
• 4818 of purchased/upgraded railway vehicles,
• 14581 km of railway lines equipped with ERTMS,
• 202 km of new/upgraded tram and underground lines,
• 1263 units of purchased/upgraded passenger rolling stock,
• 27199262 public transport services provided yearly as part of the new public transport fleet.

These investments are in addition to earlier ones from 2007-2013, with a total value of PLN 150 billion, thanks to which, among other things, the following were built in Poland:

• 454 km of motorways within the TEN-T network, 961.3 km of motorways,
• 583 km of railway lines, 440 units of rolling stock,
• 963 units of public transport rolling stock,
• 252 km of rail and trolleybus transport network,
• 6.69 km of the underground line II network 14 inter-modal terminals,
• 8 reconstructed airports within the TEN-T network.

Best practice and business confidence

The subsequent years of operation of the CEUTP demonstrate excellent use of the competences gained over many years of experience in the field:

• support for raising EU funds,
• controlling the implementation and settlement of large infrastructure projects with EU funding,
• informing the public about EU funding in the area of transport and promoting its enormous effects, making everyday life easier, taking care of everyone’s safety and comfort and the quality of our environment.

The effective management of large funds, which are of vital importance not only to the transport sector but also to the economy of the country as a whole, would naturally not be possible without the application of best practice and the business confidence we have received from the beneficiaries of the EU Funds.

In carrying out their tasks, CEUTP staff carry out thousands of operations over the course of a calendar year in activities such as:

• financial control,
• material control,
• reporting,
• monitoring,
• promotion,
• advisory,
• training sessions,
• legal assistance.

You can read about our increased tasks in the upcoming financial perspective 2021-2027 in the section on European Funds.

Transparently funded by the EU

It is natural, legitimate and understandable, when spending such large amounts of funds supporting Polish transport infrastructure, that inspections, audits, evaluations and other types of assessment of the effectiveness and correctness of CEUTP’s operations take place. In doing so, we ensure full documentary transparency, provide support in answering questions and ensure the highest standard of quality in the information submitted for inspection.

Audit activities often cover both the area of the Centre’s external activities, i.e. those related to the service of EU Funds for beneficiaries, and the correctness of the disposal of EU funds, from which the CEUTP’s activities are financed.

Appreciating employees

CEUTP has, at every stage of its activities, used public funds efficiently, legally and economically and, instead of increasing its workforce, has introduced mechanisms for only temporary additional remuneration of employees, in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Labour and Social Policy of 29 April 2008 on conditions of remuneration for work and granting other work-related benefits to employees employed at the Centre for EU Transport Projects.

The Ministry of Family and Social Policy, which is the author of these regulations, confirms that we can grant allowances for previous periods of work, i.e. after the completion of additional, often labour-intensive and demanding tasks by our in-house experts. It is important to appreciate both the process and the end result of the task performed by employees, who are the strongest link in the chain of functioning of our institution. A contrary position can only be regarded as a free interpretation of the law that is not directly reflected in its content.

An excellent example of confirmation of the correctness of CEUTP’s activities and its openness to control and audit activities was its cooperation with the Audit Authority in verifying the process of granting and distributing special allowances to employees. It took place within the framework of six audits of the management of funds from the European Union budget under projects financed by technical assistance.

The results of the audits confirmed that the expenses incurred in respect of the Centre’s staff salaries, including special allowances, respected the eligibility rules set out in the Guidelines for the use of technical assistance funds 2014-2020.

CEUTP’s activities in each area are carried out in a transparent, open, accountable and, above all, legal manner, with a focus on the most efficient use of public funds.

We operate in a wide range of areas. We act effectively. We act productively. Because we are dealing with EU funds. The responsibility for their proper spending is our daily business.