About the project

The main objective of the project is consistent with the overarching goal of the Air Protection Program, that is the development and implementation of remedial measures, the implementation of which will lead to the improvement of air quality, which will consequently reduce the negative impact of air pollution on the health and life of the inhabitants of the Silesian Voivodeship.

“Silesia. Blue Sky Restored" is the largest air protection project in Europe, covering the entire Silesian Voivodeship. 89 partners and associated beneficiaries take part in it. The period of its implementation is January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2027.

The project is co-financed by the LIFE Programme  of the European Union - an action program for the environment and climate and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.

The overriding goal of the project is the efficient and effective implementation of the Air Protection Program for the Silesian Voivodeship, which was established by Resolution No. VI / 21/12/2020 of June 22 2020 by the Silesian Regional Assembly.

The activities taken under the project will make it possible to significantly accelerate the pace of replacement of low-power heating devices (below 1MW) fired with solid fuels in the municipal-housing sector, which is the main source of air pollution in the voivodeship.

Subsequently, the objectives of the project include:

• development of the institutional potential, the regional system of advisory support and the regional information platform in the field of air quality improvement (creation of a local network of competent eco-managers at the local - commune and sub-regional level);
• development of know-how, tools, methods and demonstration activities that can strengthen the implementation of the Air Protection Program and the European Green Deal both in the Silesian Voivodeship, neighboring cross-border regions and in Poland;
• increasing the level of knowledge in various target groups in the field of low emission and preventive actions, taking into account their financial efficiency, both in the Silesian Voivodeship and in a cross-border perspective;
• transfer of good practices to other regions of Poland and Europe.

Thanks to the implementation of the project, the following specific objectives will also be achieved:

• increasing the effectiveness of the implemented legislative solutions (Anti-Smog Resolution) forcing the replacement of outdated, low-efficiency heating devices;
• implementation of effective pollution control mechanisms at the local government level and development of good practices in this area (emission monitoring with the use of drones, furnace controls);
• developing good practices in the field of investment planning at the commune level;
• implementation of methods of optimal improvement of energy efficiency and rational investment in public utility facilities (model target solutions for wide application);
• support for local authorities in activities to improve air quality and adapt to climate change by improving the quality of public space and increasing the share of green space in urban areas.

Total project value: € 16,515,020 (approximately PLN 76 million), including:

• LIFE funds (60%): € 9,908,979 (approx. PLN 45.6 million)
• funds from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (35%): EUR 5,780,243 (i.e. PLN 25,883,350)
• total own contribution of all partners (5%): € 825,798 (approx. PLN 3.8 million),
  • of which own contribution of the Silesian Voivodeship: € 412,121 (approx. PLN 1.9 million).