An initiative allocating €650 million - approximately 2.8 billion zloty - from Poland’s National Recovery Plan funding has been launched to support the digitalisation of local governments, universities, and businesses, Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski revealed at a press conference on Wednesday.
“The call for applications opened today, and local authorities, universities and enterprises can now apply,” Gawkowski said.
€650 million programme launched to boost digital transformation in Poland
The funds can be used, among other things, to implement advanced digital technologies such as data analytics, cloud solutions and cybersecurity measures, as well as to build ICT infrastructure.
“From today, applications can be submitted,” added Professor Marta Postuła, First Vice President of BGK (Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego), during the conference.
The professor explained that the minimum loan amount is set at 5 million PLN (1,179,050 EUR), and for local governments and universities, the interest rate will be 0%.
Gawkowski to remain Poland’s digital affairs minister after July 22 reshuffle
Minister Gawkowski also confirmed that following the government reshuffle in Poland - postponed until 22 July - he would remain Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Digital Affairs Ministry.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, speaking to RMF FM radio, Gawkowski addressed the issue of potentially blocking X in Poland.
Polish digital minister considers blocking X over AI ethics concerns
“I would consider such options, and I am not ruling anything out. I believe that if artificial intelligence and AI models on various platforms do not comply with ethical principles, if technological sovereignty is undermined, and if we as people are forced to read such content, then I am not excluding anything,” he said in an interview with Tomasz Terlikowski, referring to platforms such as X.com and Grok.
Krzysztof Gawkowski stressed the importance of knowing who controls AI tools, which is why Poland is developing its own systems like PLLuM and Bielik_AI to support public administration and improve digital services such as the mObywatel app.
He also highlighted the role of education in combating harmful content on social media, with the Ministry of Digital Affairs and NASK working to build awareness and resilience from an early age.
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Source: IAR/RMFFM/X/@CYFRA_GOV_PL