60 Million for the Development of Small Water Retention
Nearly PLN 60 million will be made available to residents, local governments and organisations for projects aimed at increasing water retention across the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region. The initiative is part of a new programme launched by the regional government in response to the challenges posed by drought and climate change. Grants covering up to 100 per cent of eligible costs will support, among other things, the construction of new water reservoirs and ponds. The call for applications will open in July.
The project and the rules for awarding grants were discussed during today’s (22 June) inaugural conference, attended by representatives of local governments, institutions involved in water management and agriculture, as well as experts specialising in water retention and drought mitigation. Participants included Marshal Piotr Całbecki, Vice-Marshal Aneta Jędrzejewska, Member of the Regional Board Dariusz Kurzawa, Deputy Chair of the Regional Assembly Przemysław Sznajdrowski, Regional Councillor Paweł Zgórzyński and Member of Parliament Marcin Skonieczka.
“Changes in the natural environment are phenomena that we usually observe over the course of decades. Today, however, scientists point out that processes which once occurred naturally over very long periods are now progressing much more rapidly as a result of human activity. That is why we must act on two fronts: both to prevent further changes and to address the consequences of those we are already experiencing,” stressed Marshal Piotr Całbecki. “I am convinced that our project will attract considerable interest and that together we will be able to make better use of water resources and improve their condition, because every drop of water retained in our region is of great importance.”
The following entities are eligible to apply for grants:
- local government units,
- natural persons (individual applicants),
- associations,
- cooperatives,
- water companies,
- churches and religious organisations,
- other legal entities.
A total of PLN 60 million has been allocated to the programme. The maximum grant amount for a single beneficiary will be €200,000, with funding covering up to 100 per cent of eligible costs. The programme is targeted at rural areas, including both rural municipalities and the rural parts of urban-rural municipalities (excluding towns and cities).
Funding may be used, among other purposes, for the construction and modernisation of water retention infrastructure (such as weirs, sluices and water-level control structures) and for the creation or restoration of small retention reservoirs, including artificial water bodies and fish ponds.
The project, with a total value of more than PLN 67 million, is being implemented under the European Funds for Kujawsko-Pomorskie 2021–2027 programme.
Beata Krzemińska
Press Spokesperson
Marshal’s Office of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region
22 June 2026
