Prof. Julian Auleytner, the economist behind Poland’s flagship 500 plus child benefit (now 800 plus), has put forward a new social initiative – a system of cheap, long-term loans for young people to invest in their professional and family life. Under the proposal, loans of up to 500,000 zł could be granted based on an assessment of the applicant’s life plan, with repayment periods stretching to 30 years.
The idea, presented in an interview with Business Insider Polska, comes at a time when the government is considering ways to address the challenges facing young Poles, particularly housing and career stability. Auleytner argues that the current one-off benefits are insufficient and that a more structural solution is needed.
How the program would work
– It would be a program of crediting the future of young people, necessary and responsive to the problems we have in Poland. I am in favour of crediting the start in life: large, cheap and long-term loans for professional and family development, repaid in low installments, with clear criteria for assessing life projects – said Julian Auleytner.
He explained that the loans would be individual projects – around 500,000 zł for a start after high school or university, with higher amounts possible for exceptionally good plans. The financing would cover a life project, not social status. – A young person brings a plan, the state adds a financial lever. This better addresses young people’s problems than declarations and one-off programs – he added.
Auleytner: A loan gives agency
Asked about practical implementation, Auleytner stated that the amount and terms would depend on the quality of the project. – For projects based on modern technologies, verified by good practice, I see no problem in reaching amounts equal to the cost of one apartment – even up to 500,000 zł, with mortgage security and a repayment period of up to 30 years – he said.
According to the economist, the program would not only be a social impulse but also an economic one. – A loan gives agency, and if well designed, it returns to the state manifold in taxes and growth – he said.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. KPRM / Flickr.com
