What is the "Cyber Secure Local Government" program and why is it a historic opportunity for your municipality?

In the digital age, Local Government Units (LGUs) have become an extremely attractive target for cyber criminals. They store vast amounts of sensitive resident data, manage critical municipal services and often, due to underinvestment, have inadequate security. At the same time, the upcoming NIS2 directive imposes strict new obligations on local governments to protect these assets. All of this creates pressures that are nearly impossible to meet without external financial support.

In response to these challenges, the government has launched ** the “Cyber Secure Local Government”** program, implemented by the Center for Digital Poland Projects. This is an unprecedented initiative that aims to leapfrog the level of digital security in Polish municipalities, districts and provinces. The program offers non-refundable grants that can cover the entire investment in building a modern and resilient system to protect against cyber threats.

This is not another complicated grant with a low funding threshold. It’s a real, strategic opportunity to finance the transformation that local governments have been waiting years for. In this article, we’ll walk you through the program’s key features, show you what the funds can be used for, and give you tips on how to effectively prepare for your application so you don’t miss out on this unique opportunity.

Shortcuts

• What is the “Cyber Secure Local Government” program and why is it a historic opportunity for your municipality?
• Who exactly can apply for funding?
• What are the key figures, i.e. how much money and on what terms can be raised?
• Why does time play a key role and why is it not worth postponing a decision?
• Area I - Organization: what will the grant fund in terms of audits and strategies?
• Area II - Technology: What defense systems and tools can be purchased with grant funds?
• Area III - Competencies: How does the program help fund training for civil servants and IT professionals?
• Where the need for such a program came from is the growing threat to local governments.

What is the “Cyber Secure Local Government” program and why is it a historic opportunity for your municipality?

The “Cyber Secure Local Government” program is an EU-funded initiative (European Funds for Digital Development 2021-2027 program) with the sole purpose of strengthening the technical and organizational resilience of local governments to cyber attacks. This is a historic opportunity, as it is the first time on such a large scale that dedicated funding is going directly to local governments with the sole purpose of cyber security.

Its uniqueness lies in its comprehensive approach. The program does not just finance the purchase of equipment. It allows you to finance the entire path of maturity building - from conducting an audit and diagnosis, to implementing advanced defense technologies, to raising employee competence and awareness. It’s a chance to not just “buy software,” but to realistically build a security culture and system.

Most importantly, the program has been designed in the form of a grant, which means that the funds awarded are non-refundable. For many municipalities and counties that face budget problems on a daily basis, this is the only real opportunity to make a much-needed and deep upgrade to their digital security.

📚 Read the complete guide: SOC: Security Operations Center - czym jest, jak działa, jak wybrać

Who exactly can apply for funding?

The catalog of beneficiaries of the “Cyber Secure Local Government” program is broad and includes virtually all levels of local government in Poland. All municipalities, counties and provincial governments can apply for the grant. It does not matter the size of the unit, its geographical location or the number of residents. Both a small, rural municipality and a large city with county rights have an equal chance of obtaining funds.

Importantly, the program is designed to ensure equitable distribution of funds. Each eligible entity can submit one application for funding. This ensures that the support goes to a wide range of beneficiaries across the country, rather than being consumed by a few of the largest agglomerations.

The basic condition, of course, is to have the status of a JST. The program is not aimed at municipal companies or other subordinate units, but directly at municipal offices, county offices and marshal offices, which are the foundation of public administration in Poland.

What are the key figures, i.e. how much money and on what terms can be raised?

The program operates on simple and extremely favorable financial principles. The amount of the grant depends on the population of the entity and its status (municipality, county, province), but the maximum amount of funding is up to PLN 850,000. This is an amount that allows for a real, deep transformation in the area of cyber security.

The most important information, however, is the level of funding, which is up to 100% of eligible costs. This means that a municipality or county, with a well-written application and a planned budget, can implement the entire project without committing any of its own funds. All key investments - from audits, to the purchase of equipment and software, to training - can be fully covered by the grant.

In addition, the program provides for the payment of an advance of up to 40% of the value of the grant, which significantly facilitates the start of investments and the maintenance of liquidity during their implementation. The project implementation period is 24 months from the signing of the agreement, which gives time for calm and thoughtful implementation of planned activities.

Why does time play a key role and why is it not worth postponing a decision?

As with any popular grant program, timing is a key factor. Although the call for applications is open and will theoretically last until the end of 2026, the first-come, first-served rule applies. The total budget of the program is limited (it is 1.5 billion zlotys), and interest is huge. This means that funds may be exhausted long before the official closing date of the call.

Postponing the decision to prepare and submit an application is therefore extremely risky. Every week of delay means potentially hundreds of applications submitted by other local governments, reducing the available pool of funds. Organizations that have taken a proactive approach and prepared their applications at an early stage have an incomparably better chance of success.

Moreover, just preparing a good, complete proposal takes time. It is necessary to conduct an internal needs analysis, gather bids, and preferably - conduct a professional audit, which will become the basis for an investment plan. Starting these activities today is the best strategy to maximize your chances of getting financing.

Area I - Organization: what will the grant fund in terms of audits and strategies?

The first of the three pillars that can be funded by the grant relates to organizational foundations. The program allows for the costs associated with conducting a comprehensive cybersecurity audit, which is a de facto diagnosis of the “state of the patient.” It’s a key component to identify gaps and plan further targeted actions.

Based on the results of the audit, the grant will also fund the development and implementation of the necessary information security management system (ISMS) documentation. We’re talking about the creation of key policies, procedures and instructions that will organize cyber security issues in the office. The preparation and implementation of business continuity plans (BCPs) and disaster recovery plans (DRPs) can also be financed.

Finally, funds can be used for consulting services related to the implementation of an ISMS that is compliant with recognized standards, such as ISO 27001, and to prepare the organization to meet the requirements of the National Interoperability Framework ( NIS ) and the NIS2 Directive.

Area II - Technology: What defense systems and tools can be purchased with grant funds?

This is the broadest and often most capital-intensive area. The grant allows you to finance the purchase and implementation of a whole range of modern technologies that will realistically strengthen the digital defense of the office. First and foremost, funds can be obtained for security monitoring and incident response systems, such as SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), and for the construction or purchase of Security Operations Center (SOC as a Service) services.

The program will also fund key infrastructure protection components. Systems for secure backup and storage (backup), which are the last line of defense against ransomware attacks, can be purchased and implemented. The grant will also pay for systems to protect workstations and servers (EDR/XDR), email protection and strong authentication mechanisms (MFA).

Importantly, the catalog also includes tools for vulnerability management, secure remote access (PAM) and next-generation firewall (NGFW) systems. So it’s a complete set of tools to build a multi-layered, modern security architecture.

Area III - Competencies: How does the program help fund training for civil servants and IT professionals?

The third pillar of the program is an investment in people, i.e. in raising the competence and awareness of personnel. The “Cyber-Secure Local Government” grant makes it possible to fund comprehensive training programs that are tailored to different groups of employees.

Cybersecurity awareness training can be funded for all officials, teaching them how to recognize phishing, how to create strong passwords and how to use digital resources securely. This is a key investment in building a “human firewall.”

On the other hand, the program allows you to fund highly specialized, technical training and certification for IT and security staff. You can send IT professionals to advanced courses in network management, security systems administration or incident response. This is a unique opportunity to build and maintain internal professional competence in the office.

Where the need for such a program came from is the growing threat to local governments.

The “Cyber Secure Local Government” program is not a coincidence. It is a direct response to the alarming increase in the number and scale of cyber attacks targeting the public sector. Criminals increasingly see local governments as “soft” targets - holding valuable data, but often lacking adequate security measures.

Ransomware attacks that paralyze the work of government offices for weeks, leaks of sensitive residents’ data, attacks on systems that control municipal infrastructure - all of these have ceased to be theoretical threats and have become a daily occurrence. The consequences of such attacks are not only financial losses, but also the paralysis of public services and loss of citizens’ trust.

The government and the European Union, recognizing this systemic risk, have decided to act proactively. Instead of waiting for more crises, a program was created to preemptively strengthen the entire sector, giving local governments real tools to defend themselves against the rising tide of cybercrime.

How does the grant fit into preparations for the upcoming NIS2 directive requirements?

The NIS2 Directive is the most significant change in cyber security law in years, and it directly includes Local Government Units. It imposes a number of obligations on them that until now mainly concerned the largest companies and operators of critical infrastructure. We’re talking about the need to have a formal risk management system, response plans, reporting procedures and much more.

Implementing all these requirements from scratch is a gigantic organizational and financial challenge for most local governments. And this is where the “Cyber Secure Local Government” program becomes an ideal tool. It allows for the financing of almost all the investments that are necessary to achieve NIS2 compliance.

It can be said that the grant is a strategic bridge to help local governments safely transition from the current state to the new regulatory reality. Using these funds is the simplest and most effective way to avoid future legal and financial problems associated with non-compliance with the directive.

The three pillars of the “Cyber Secure Local Government” grant.

PillarWhat can be financed?Target1. ORGANIZATIONAudits, strategies, policies, procedures, IRP/BCP plans, ISMS implementation.Build a solid management and process foundation.2. TECHNOLOGYSIEM/SOC systems, backup, EDR, MFA, firewalls, mail protection, PAM.Implementation of modern, multi-layered defense tools.3. COMPETENCES”security awareness” training for all, advanced technical training.Strengthen the “human firewall” and build internal expertise.

Export to Sheets

What is the first logical step to effectively prepare for submission?

In the face of such a large opportunity, it is crucial to act thoughtfully and strategically. The biggest mistake is to try to write a proposal in haste, without solid preparation and diagnosis of needs. Such a proposal, based on generalities and estimates “from the ceiling,” has little chance of success.

Therefore, the absolute first, fundamental and most logical step is to conduct a professional cyber security audit. It is the audit that will provide you with hard, objective data on the current state of security. It will show you where the biggest gaps lie, what the most important risks are, and what investments will bring the greatest improvements.

The results of the audit become a de facto finished investment plan, which forms the substantive core of the entire grant application. It is no longer a wish list, but a precise, evidence-based action plan that is highly credible in the eyes of the evaluation committee.

Why does a well-conducted audit increase your chances of success many times over?

First, credibility. A proposal based on an external, professional audit shows that you are serious and mature in your approach. The committee sees that your needs are not contrived, but are the result of sound analysis.

Second, precision. The audit provides detailed recommendations that can be directly translated into line items in the cost estimate. Instead of writing generally “we need a backup system,” you can write “we need a backup system with X parameters that solves Y problem identified in the audit, and its estimated cost is Z.” This drastically increases the substantive quality of the proposal.

Third, strategy. An audit allows you to create a coherent, logical roadmap, rather than a random collection of purchases. It shows that you know what you’re doing and that the grant money will be spent thoughtfully and efficiently, which is crucial for funding institutions.

What mistakes to avoid so that your application is not rejected for formal reasons?

The process of applying for public funds always involves stringent formal requirements. Even the best substantive application can be rejected due to simple errors. It is crucial to carefully read the rules of the competition and all annexes.

Special attention should be paid to the completeness of the documentation and meeting the deadlines. It is also important that the planned expenses fit 100% into the catalog of eligible costs. Attempting to finance activities that are not covered by the program with the grant is a simple way to reject the entire application.

This is why support from an experienced partner who has “eaten his teeth” on writing and accounting for EU projects is so valuable. Such a partner can not only help prepare the substantive part, but also ensure that the application is formally flawless.

How to use these funds wisely to not just “buy equipment” but build real resilience?

Winning a grant is a great success, but the real art lies in using it wisely. The goal should not just be to “spend” the awarded money and “tick off” the project. The goal should be to use this historic boost to build a sustainable, long-term cybersecurity management capability.

This means investing sustainably in all three pillars: technology, processes and people. It means choosing solutions that are scalable and maintainable for years to come, even after the grant ends. Above all, it means investing in the knowledge and competence of your own team, because they are the ones who will have to manage this new system on a daily basis. A wise use of a grant is one that leaves behind not only new equipment, but a new, higher organizational culture.

How can nFlo comprehensively support your local government through the entire process - from audit to proposal?

At nFlo, we have an excellent understanding of the challenges faced by Local Government Units. We know the peculiarities of the public sector, understand budget constraints and know how to navigate the world of procurement and grants. At the same time, we are leading experts in cyber security, with unique experience in protecting critical infrastructure.

We have combined these two competencies to create a dedicated offering ** called “Starter Package: Audit and Grant Application for the Cyber Secure Local Government program**. ” This is a comprehensive service that guides you by the hand through the entire preparation process. We conduct a thorough audit of your infrastructure, and turn the results into a professional, complete and compliant grant application.

We act as your strategic partner - taking on the burden of complex analysis and bureaucracy so that you can focus on making key decisions. Our goal is to maximize your chances of success and ensure that the funds you raise are invested in a way that realistically and sustainably improves the security of your municipality and its residents.

Related Terms

Learn key terms related to this article in our cybersecurity glossary:

• Security Operations Center (SOC) — Security Operations Center (SOC) is a central location where a team of security…
• SOC as a Service — SOC as a Service (Security Operations Center as a Service), also known as…
• Cybersecurity — Cybersecurity is a collection of techniques, processes, and practices used to…
• Cybersecurity Incident Management — Cybersecurity incident management is the process of identifying, analyzing,…
• Backup — Backup, also known as a backup copy or safety copy, is the process of creating…

---

Learn More

Explore related articles in our knowledge base:

• What exactly is the “Cyber Safe Water Supply” program?
• How to Wisely Choose a Partner for the Cybersecure Local Government Program?
• What Is the Cybersecure Municipality Program? Everything You Need to Know
• Applying for a Cybersecure Local Government Grant? Why an Audit is the Key First Step to Success
• How to build a secure and efficient computer network in a company? Guide

---

Explore Our Services

Need cybersecurity support? Check out:

• Security Audits - comprehensive security assessment
• Penetration Testing - identify vulnerabilities in your infrastructure
• SOC as a Service - 24/7 security monitoring