What are Integrated
Territorial Investments?
Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) are an instrument that contributes to the implementation of urban development strategies and their functional areas, through the implementation of integrated projects that are co-financed by EU funds. Integrated Territorial Investments are a manifestation of the territorial dimension of cohesion policy.
ITI is a tool that first appeared in the legal acts presented by the European Commission for the 2014-2020 financial perspective. Using this instrument, partnerships between local government units (LGUs) of cities and their functionally connected areas (the city and local governments within its area of influence) can implement joint projects, combining actions funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). ITI also goes beyond the rigid administrative boundaries of LGUs and provides greater possibilities for the impact of EU projects. Its purpose is not only to provide financial resources for the implementation of investment projects but, above all, to enable the development of a territorial coordination mechanism for programming and implementing actions.
The idea behind Integrated Territorial Investments is the cooperation of local governments to make the most of common assets and solve problems affecting the functional area of the city.
Financial Perspective 2014-2020
In order to utilize the ITI instrument, it was necessary to define the territory where it would be implemented and identify the developmental needs of the area within the framework of the developed intersectoral integrated development strategy. In Poland, it was decided that Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) would serve to achieve the sustainable development of urban areas, and as a result, the areas for implementing ITI would relate to metropolitan functional areas (MFA). Defining the ITI areas for provincial cities was mandatory and followed the guidelines of the then Ministry of Infrastructure and Development, while defining the ITI areas for regional cities depended on the decisions of the local governments of individual provinces. In total, 24 ITI implementation areas were designated in Poland. An essential element for the creation of the ITI area was the establishment of an institutionalized partnership – the Agreement among Municipalities of the Lublin Functional Area (LFA) for cooperation in the implementation of Integrated Territorial Investments in the EU financial perspective 2014-2020, which was signed in 2015 by 16 municipalities: Lublin, Głusk, Jabłonna, Jastków, Konopnica, Lubartów, Lubartów City, Mełgiew, Nałęczów, Niedrzwica Duża, Niemce, Piaski, Spiczyn, Strzyżewice, Świdnik, and Wólka.
The basis for the LOF Municipalities Agreement in obtaining funds from the Regional Operational Program was the creation of the ITI Strategy.
In accordance with the assumptions of the LFA ITI Strategy, development was based on conducted diagnoses and analyses, as well as expert opinions, and the overarching goal and the specific goals were defined.
The overarching goal is:
- To improve social, economic, and spatial cohesion within the LFA.
The Development Goals were defined as:
- Improving the level and accessibility of education, the labor market, social inclusion, and innovation in the LFA.
- Enhancing transport mobility, low emissions, and preserving and promoting natural heritage in the LFA.
- Accelerating sustainable development through spatial and social revitalization, taking into account ICT in the LFA.
The allocation of funds for implementing the ITI instrument, within the framework of the Lublin Region Operational Program, ultimately amounted to 123,395,165 EUR, including 107,270,543 EUR from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and 16,124,622 EUR from the European Social Fund (ESF).
Financial Perspective 2021-2027
The goal of ITI in the 2021-2027 perspective is to implement integrated projects that contribute to addressing common problems and harmoniously meeting the needs of the ITI area. This will be supported by the development of supra-local development strategies and ITI Strategies. Projects that do not have an integrated character will not be eligible for implementation under the ITI instrument.
Continuing the cooperation and activities carried out in the previous EU 2014-2020 perspective under the ITI instrument, a new partnership was established to support the development of the Lublin Metropolitan Area. The document was signed by all municipalities of the Lublin Functional Area (LFA) as well as additional municipalities: Bełżyce, Bychawa, Garbów, Łęczna, and Wojciechów, and counties: Lublin, Lubartów, Łęczna, Puławy, and Świdnik.
To effectively obtain funding from European Funds for Lublin Region to implement its planned activities, it was necessary to establish the ITI Union as an institutionalized form of partnership. This form of an association of local government units was chosen as a natural path for the further development of the existing cooperation.
The primary document guiding the implementation of activities under ITI is the Supra-Local Development Strategy for the Lublin Metropolitan Area. This document outlines a comprehensive plan to leverage potential opportunities and overcome existing challenges through the implementation of appropriate actions, including integrated and partnership-based projects.
Its provisions ensure the continuation and consistency of the ongoing cooperation and initiatives in areas such as digitization, biodiversity protection, mobility, and revitalization, aiming to improve social, economic, and spatial conditions.
For the implementation of the Lublin ITI, the European Funds for Lubelskie 2021-2027 Program allocates a total of €66,621,361, which is divided as follows:
- €60,204,296 for the implementation of investment tasks (funded by the European Regional Development Fund – ERDF).
- €6,417,065 for the implementation of “soft” activities (funded by the European Social Fund – ESF).
