The Norwegian and EEA funds are a form of non-repayable foreign aid provided by Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein to the new EU members, including Poland, supporting socio-economic development and strengthening international relations. These projects cover a wide range of activities, from environmental protection to social and economic infrastructure development.
Scope 1
In 2021, the city of Piastów submitted an application for co-financing for the thermal modernization of the A. Mickiewicz High School’ s old school building section in Piastów. On March 21, 2023 the city of Piastów signed an agreement with the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management for 70% co-financing in the amount of PLN 3.5 million from the Environment, Energy and Climate Change Program under the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014-2021 for reimbursement of costs related to the thermal modernization of the High School building as part of the project entitled: "Improvement of energy efficiency in the high school building in Piastów"
Funds included:
EEA FM: PLN 2.98 million, and the state budget: PLN 0.52 million.
The city of Piastów contribution is PLN 1.5 million, which has already been put on layway under the PPP (Public Private Partneship) contract for the implementation of the project.
As a refund, the City will receive a part of the costs incurred for thermal modernization of the High School building, including:
1. Modernization of central heating installations.
2. Modernization of the domestic hot water installation.
3. Installation of a supply and exhaust ventilation system with heat recovery –
4. Installation of external front doors with improved energy-saving parameters
5. Insulation of a non-ventilated flat roof
6. Insulation of the external walls of the building
7. Installation of windows with improved energy-saving parameters
8. Installation of LED lighting fixtures with motion detectors
9. Installation of the PV (photovoltaic) installation
Purpose of the Project implementation:
The aim of the project is to improve energy efficiency in the high school building through suport of comprehensive investment activities involving extensive thermal modernization undertaken for the high school building as a purpose of leading up to the "passive" or "almost zero emission" energy standard.
Diagnosis of the problem to be solved by implementing the Project:
Identified problems affecting direct and indirect project beneficiaries:
• Energy losses caused by heat transfer through building bulkhead construction,
• High costs of heating school building,
• Underheated classrooms and common rooms,
• No use of renewable energy sources,
• Low ecological awareness of the city's inhabitants.
Analysis of the existing situation and possible ways to solve the problem, including justification for the choice method(s) indicated by the Applicant:
The above-mentioned problems are widely known and result from the beneficiary's observations and experience. Possibility of solving the above-mentioned problems will be provided by financial resources for which the City will turn to the Program Operator. Such support will allow for faster economic and social development. Thanks to the implementation of the project, the standard will improve the quality and aesthetics of the facility and simultanously the standard of its use will significantly improve. Technical solutions and technologies adopted for the implementation of the investment presented in the Material and Financial Schedule (HRF) prove that the best practices were taken into account in the field of modernization of public infrastructure. Various alternatives of thermal modernization activities in the context of the achievement of ecological effect and costs of their implementation were analyzed in the audits.The most advantageous variant form was selected for implementation.
Project Effects:
The effects of the project are: reduction of CO2 emissions, reduction of primary energy (EP ) consumption, an increase in the share of renewable energy sources and increasing public awareness of energy efficiency, while maintaining the highest level of energy and cost efficiency. Buildings will be consistent with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development Proclamation of April 8, 2019.
Target group:
Thanks to extensive promotional activities, the target group will be the population of the Piastow City, including: school students, principals, and school employees.
The final part of the project is scheduled for April 30, 2024.
Scope 2
We are developing green and blue infrastructure
2023 was marked by the implementation of many undertakings included in the project entitled; "Creation of green and blue infrastructure in the City of Piastów". One among 19 projects in Poland that received nearly PLN 86.5 million in funding from the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism for projects adapting to climate change through the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.
The projects were also supported financially from the state budget with parallel subsidies in the amount of approx. PLN 12.7 million.
For the implementation of the project entitled; "Creation of green and blue infrastructure in the city of Piastów" with a value of PLN 4,610,593.24 we received funding in the amount of PLN 3,919,004.24 from the following funds: EEA MF: PLN 3,331,153.60, and the state budget: PLN 587,850.64. The City of Piastów will contribute PLN 691,589.00 from the city budget, which is 15% of the project's value. The project will have been implemented until April 30, 2024 in cooperation with our partners, which are: The Polish Association "Green Roofs" (PSDZ) and the Norwegian Association for Green Infrastructure (NFGI).
As a part of the project, green and blue infrastructure will be developed in Piastów.This will include i.a. the creation of urban green systems – planting and establishing plants, building rain gardens, creating green roofs, walls or bus stops. In the area of blue infrastructure, activities related to rainwater management, renaturalization, and the use of permeable surfaces will be implemented.
As a part of the project, the following tasks are being executed:
I. Development of the area at SPZOZ Piastun at 16A Ks.I.Skorupki Street in Piastów – by:
> planting introduction: perennials and ornamental grasses, establishing new lawns,
> installation of a spatial green gabion wall,
> creating a rain garden in a container,
> construction of a green pergola,
> installation of a bin shelter with a green roof system.
II. Replacement and installation of 10 bus shelters for green bus stops in the City of Piastów.
III. Replacement and installation of a bin shelter into a shed with a green roof system at the J.Sułkowskiego housing estate.
IV. Development of the patio area at the Primary School No. 3 at Aleja Tysiąclecia 5 by:
> dismountling of vaults and sealing the ground in the patio area of Primary School No. 3 at Al. Tysiąclecia 5 in Piastów. consisting of the replacement of the existing concrete pavement with a mineral pavement, permeable to rainwater,
> Landscaping with planting,
> Construction of a green wall,
> Creation of a herb garden.
V. Development of the community centre branch area at J.Sułkowskiego Street, including:
> Landscaping the area, establishing new lawns with planting,
> Creation of a fruit and vegetable garden,
> Construction of a new, safe sand surface under the existing playground,
> Creating a rain garden in a container.
VI. Construction of a green wall attached to the noise barrier along the railway line at Szarych Szeregów Street.
VII. Renovation and extension of the pergola at Lwowska Street by:
> Dismantling of the existing pergola elements and making new elements of pressure-impregnated glued laminated timber,
> Construction of a spatial green wall of fence gabions and installation of steel grids for vines along with preparation of the area for planting,
> Creation of a rain garden.
VIII.
Renaturalization of the ditch in the park at St. Stanislaus Kostka Street in Piastów by planting hydrophyte plants and installing erratic boulders in order to reduce surface runoff of rainwater.
IX. Constructing rain gardens in the following locations within the City of Piastow borders:
1) Construction of rain gardens in corten steel containers:
> near the City Hall buildings at 2 and 8, 11 Listopada Street,
> next to the OSiR (Recreation and Entertainment Centre) building, 1 Tysiąclecia Street,
> near the Primary School No. 4 building, 25 Żbikowska Street,
> next to the MOPS (Municipal Social Welfare Centre) building, 6 Lwowska Street.
2) Construction of infiltration rain gardens in native soil:
> housing estate at 29B Sułkowskiego Street,
> housing estate at 29B Sułkowskiego Street,
> Primary School No. 2, 20 Krakowska Avenue,
X. Introduction of a food waste prevention system in the city. Establishment of fruit and vegetable farms at schools.
> Primary School No. 2, 20 Krakowska Avenue,
> Primary School No. 3, 5 Tysiąclecia Street,
> Primary School No. 4, 25 Żbikowska Street.
XI. Construction of a green roof on the building at 6 Lwowska Street along with the installation of micro wind turbines.
XII. Construction of a green roof on the OSP (Volunteer Fire Brigade) building at 24 Warszawska Street.