The Olimpia 2023–2025 Program is an initiative in the field of sports aimed at improving sports infrastructure on school grounds in Poland. Given how important physical activity is in a child’s life, the results of such a program can contribute to a significant improvement in the next generation of athletes and promote a healthy lifestyle among young Poles.
What is the Olimpia Program?
A strategic project whose main goal is to improve the condition of sports facilities in less urbanized areas. The initiative involves a wide range of activities, including the construction of modern school sports halls. The program began as planned in 2023 and is scheduled to conclude in 2025. Each newly built sports hall will provide an environment conducive to developing athletic skills and promoting a healthy lifestyle among children and youth.
The program’s objectives go beyond simply building new facilities. Part of the budget will be allocated to modernizing existing sports facilities and developing a strategy for sports and recreational activities tailored to the needs of both students and local residents.
Projects Carried Out Under the Olimpia Program
One of the main objectives of the Olimpia Program is to improve the quality and accessibility of sports infrastructure for schoolchildren and residents of smaller urban areas. As part of the initiative , plans call for the construction of year-round sports facilities that will be used for physical education classes regardless of weather conditions, thereby helping to meet the requirements of the core curriculum.
The creation of facilities that are accessible year-round is intended not only to improve the sports infrastructure itself, but also to promote physical activity and a healthy lifestyle among rural residents. Studies show that these individuals are less likely to engage in physical activity outside the home due to a lack of sports and recreational facilities.
The implementation of the multi-year program involves expanding and developing new sports and recreational activities for children and youth. This will give students the opportunity to try their hand at a variety of sports, not just the most popular ones. These programs will be tailored to students’ ages, skills, and interests, regardless of their prior athletic experience. Students will have access to modern sports facilities, which will certainly help make physical activity more appealing.
Funding for the Olimpia Program — Budget for Project Implementation
Investments carried out under the aforementioned program are financed primarily from public funds, specifically from the state budget under Part 25—Physical Culture. The amount of funding planned for allocation to local government entities is 2,000,000,000 zlotys, spread over the next three years, with 142,086,000 allocated for 2023, 1,200,000,000 for 2024, and the final year in which the grant can be utilized—2025—when the total funding pool allocated for the implementation of the investment amounts to 657,914,000 zlotys.
The first call for grant applications to build sports infrastructure on school grounds concluded in the first half of 2023. As a result of these efforts, local government units secured over 0.5 billion zlotys in funding to improve access to sports facilities in moderately urbanized areas.
The next call for proposals under the grant program to fund projects aimed at improving access to modern school sports facilities began on June 1, 2023. As a result of the selection process, 107 proposed projects received grants.
The results of the third round of grant awards under the program led to the allocation of over 200 million zlotys among 97 projects.
The fourth round of applications took place in the last quarter of 2023. The program to build school sports facilities in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Polish national team’s first appearances at the Olympic Games has so far enabled construction to begin on 560 facilities.
The documents required to participate in the recruitment process can be submitted through the Amodit system on the Ministry of Sport and Tourism’s government website within the deadlines set by the Minister of Sport and Tourism. The quantitative goal set as part of the Program is to build 1,000 sports halls by the end of 2025. The good news is that construction on a significant portion of these facilities began in 2023.
Is it possible to receive funding for the construction of a facility through the Olimpia Program?
The answer is clear—yes, it is possible to obtain funding for the construction of a sports hall under the Olimpia Program. These investments are considered a priority, and the government has committed to providing financial support for such projects. However, it is important for potential beneficiaries to be aware that the process of applying for funding requires meeting specific criteria.
Local governments, schools, or institutions operating in the fields of education and sports may apply for funding from the Olimpia Program, but they should be prepared for the application process. Furthermore, it is important to note that the planned grant amount under this funding program is 70% of the construction costs. Therefore, local governments must have funds available to cover the remaining 30% of the planned financial outlay.
Eligibility Requirements for Grant Applications
To apply for funding from the Olimpia 2024 Program, certain conditions must be met. First, the applicant must demonstrate that they have access to a site where a sports arena can be built. It is also advisable to have a valid permit to use the site for a minimum of 10 years from the completion of the project.
The application procedure is described in the Rules for the Call for Proposals, which are available in the Public Information Bulletin on the Ministry’s website. Potential beneficiaries must prepare complete project documentation, which will include, among other things, a cost estimate for the investment, a construction schedule, and a description of how the facility will be used after completion. Applicants must also demonstrate that they are able to provide their own financial contribution toward the project’s implementation.
The government program promoting the development of young talent in sports presents an excellent opportunity for schools and local governments to improve the infrastructure of indoor school sports facilities. Given that this is a priority for the government, the chances of receiving funding are high. It is therefore worth taking advantage of this opportunity and investing in the health and development of future generations.
