Poland’s power transmission system operator PSE has launched the sixth edition of its “Strengthen Your Area” grant programme, aiming to sponsor 247 local projects with a budget of 5.75 million Polish zlotys (1.3 million euros).
The “Strengthen Your Area” programme supports grassroots social initiatives in six areas: health, safety, education, animal protection, development of common public spaces, and the natural environment. Funds from the “Strengthen Your Surroundings” programme enable local leaders, activists, and activists to implement projects that address local needs and improve the quality of life for residents.
Residents of municipalities where the PSE carries out investments or operates existing infrastructure have been benefiting from the “Strengthen Your Surroundings” grant programme for several years.
Interest in participating in the programme is growing from year to year, PSE said. This year, a record number of 1,800 applications were submitted. Municipal offices, schools, preschools, libraries, cultural and sports centres, foundations and associations, as well as volunteer fire departments, applied for the support of up to 24,000 Polish zlotys (5,500 euros) for each project.
Among the 247 projects that will receive grants, the majority involve changes in public spaces: landscaping of green areas, construction of playgrounds or outdoor gyms, as well as modernisation of school, sports, or cultural infrastructure aimed at engaging residents.
Similar to previous editions, projects related to environmental protection and safety will also receive support, such as the purchase of specialised equipment for volunteer fire departments or making AED defibrillators available to residents.
PSE manages nearly 16,000 kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines and is present with its infrastructure in over a thousand municipalities throughout Poland.