Urban space

Mural promoting the 3rd edition of the EEA and Norway Grants

The aim of the project was to promote the brand of the EEA and Norway Grants, the slogan of their third edition: "Working together for a green, competitive and inclusive Europe" and the priority importance of supporting the environment under the Financial Mechanisms 2014-2021.

It manifests itself in particular in the following Programmes under the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021:

• Environment, Energy and Climate Change (including climate change mitigation and adaptation to climate change);
• Business Development and Innovation (including support for eco-innovation);
• Local Development (including improvement of air quality).

The mural was exhibited between September 24 and October 31, 2020.

The mural was located on the walls of the so-called Patelnia Square next to Centrum metro station in Warsaw, in the immediate neighborhood of one of the busiest intersections in Warsaw: Jerozolimskie Avenue and Marszałkowska Street. This square is also close to public transport stops: metro, buses and trams. The location consisted of two walls with a total area of ​​350m2 and two advertising poles placed in the central places of the Patelnia square.

The mural was made with paints absorbing pollutants from the air. It was painted with a special, innovative, zolosilicate facade paint, which – according to the current state of knowledge – absorbs some smog components, shows self-cleaning properties through the effect of photocatalysis and is resistant to adverse weather conditions.

Photo gallery presenting the creation of the mural and the final effect:

Adoption of reindeers at the Wrocław Zoo by the EEA and Norway Grants

In January 2021, the EEA and Norway Grants, established by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, adopted a reindeer herd from the zoo in Wrocław. Thanks to the agreement, the zoo gained financing and support in protective and educational activities, and the Grants – the opportunity to implement a responsible business policy. Patronage over reindeers, animals associated with Norway and Iceland, perfectly fits the idea of a green Europe and a green Poland, supported by the EEA and Norway Grants for many years.

Reindeers are a species from the north of our continent. They can be found, among others, in Iceland and Norway. Once widespread and numerous, today they are struggling to survive as a result of climate change and the development of human settlements. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in just three generations (21 years) as much as 40% decrease in the number of their populations in the natural environment was recorded. Therefore, the status of this species in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has been raised from "Least Concern" to "Vulnerable". Therefore, there is more and more talk about the need to protect them and take decisive action.

In the Wrocław Zoo, reindeers are doing great and they are willing to reproduce. The young born here enlarge herds in other European gardens. However, breeding in our climate is not easy. The success of Wrocław is due not only to a well-chosen diet, but also to the perfect location of the paddock. In the shaded area, the trees are covered with moss, which supplements the diet of these animals. In addition, when the mercury column travels high, watershed and water mists appear on the paddock to give the animals a respite. You will find them in the oldest part of the garden, next to the Bear's Tower, where the owls live.

Certificate for the EEA and Norway Grants

EEA and Norway Grants at the Light Move Festival in Łódź 2021

The EEA and Norway Grants supported the 11th edition of the Light.Move.Festival in Łódź, which took place on September 24-26, 2021. It is the largest festival of this type in Poland. Buildings, parks and squares were lit up by stunning projections and illuminations. The theme of this edition of the festival was "Connections". Waldemar Buda, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, took part in the opening of the festival.

During the Festival of Light, Łódź streets, nooks, crannies and forgotten courtyards turn into open art galleries. Conscious, artistic use of light emphasizes the individuality and attractiveness of Łódź and makes it a unique point on the map of Europe.

The 11th edition of Light.Move.Festival 2021 focused on people. Social, spiritual and artistic ties or the place of man in the modern world are among the challenges of the 21st century.

During the festival, projects implemented with support of the EEA and Norway Grants in Łódź were promoted.

• At the church of St. Teresa, at Rondo Solidarności, a board was displayed promoting the project of the Grażyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz Academy of Music in Łódź "Creating modern concert space and preserving historical and cultural heritage of Łódź by renovation works of Karol Poznański’s Palace". The Academy received this grant in the 2nd edition of the EEA and Norway Grants, and is also beneficiary of the 3rd edition. Currently, it is implementing the project "New voices, rediscovered operas. Establishing of the Polish-Norwegian Opera Academy".
  
  
• At the Łódź House of Culture at 18 Traugutta St., there is a board promoting the projects of the University of Łódź and the Łódź University of Technology – the participation of students and researchers in exchanges with universities in Norway and Iceland. Both universities took advantage of funding from the EEA and Norway Grants in the second edition and do it in the current one, as well.
  
  
• On the EC1 Łódź building at 1/3 Targowa St., a board promoting the project of the Institute of Mother’s Polish Health Center was displayed "Saving energy and promotion of renewable energy sources".
  
  
• On the wall of the building of the Faculty of International and Political Studies at the University of Łódź at 43 Składowa St. there was presented a board promoting the project of the Polish Association of the Deaf (PZG) – Łódź Division "Investments for all?". The PZG implemented this project in the 2nd edition of the EEA and Norway Grants and has now received another grant in the 3rd edition, for the implementation of the project "Educational standards for Polish Sign Language".

Information on the participation of the EEA and Norway Grants in Light.Move.Festival 2021