In October of 2020, a communications campaign promoted the "Małopolska Tele-Angel" project, which uses European funding to care for elderly people living in the region during the on-going pandemic. The campaign operated under the slogan of "European funds help care for older people" and showed viewers the stories of five people who had received help from the Małopolska Tele-Angel program. This project is but one example of Małopolska's long-term strategy to promote the use of EU funding in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and its ramifications in the region. The region had earlier used European funds to help hospitals and emergency services, as well as in promoting domestic tourism over the summer. The President of the Małopolska region, ECR Member Witold Kozłowski expressed pride at how his region had utilised EU funding to the benefit of its people, including its most vulnerable. 

The Małopolska Tele-Angel innovates elderly care to accommodate the needs of elderly citizens as safely as possible. As Europe ages, regional governments must find new and out-of-the box ways to care for their senior citizens. According to statistical data, pensioners make up 25% of the population of France, and 20% of Germany's total population is 65 or older. In Poland, estimates show that by 2050 pensioners will compromise one-third of the country's total population. The Małopolska region is no exception, by 2035 one-eighth of the region's total population will be 75 years old or older. Therefore, responsible policies which will ensure quality elderly care are all the more important.

​The President of the Małopolska region, Mr Witold Kozłowski spoke on the importance of caring for the elderly and the Tele-Angel project, saying: "Due to the on-going pandemic, measures aimed at older people should put the emphasis on them remaining in their homes for as long as possible. However, they should also be among their friends, so that, even though they are more frail they can still enjoy their lives as before. The elderly here in Małopolska want to live with a sense of autonomy, independence and most importantly, security. We will be able to achieve a greater quality of care for our elderly citizens, thanks to the usage of European funding." 

The Małopolska Tele-Angel project is the largest project of its kind in Poland. Partners in the project include Caritas Diecezji Kieleckiej and the European Development Institute of Sucha Beskidzka. The COVID-19 pandemic forced them to innovate, which they have by combining telecare with home-based care services, including issuing electronic bracelets so elderly and persons with disabilities can signal emergency workers when they are in need of help.

The Vice-President of Małopolska, Łukasz Smółka spoke on the technological benefits of these bracelets, saying: "These bracelets are outstanding, they have a built-in SIM card, a microphone and speaker, so that any person wearing one can speak to an emergency worker if the need arises. These bracelets also have an SOS button which connects the person wearing it with the telecare centre. The bracelets also have a GPS localiser so health care personal can act quickly when they are called upon."

​The cornerstone of the Małopolska Tele-Angel project is the "telecare centre" which is operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by competent and kind-hearted workers who have made thousands of live-saving calls to emergency workers and offer their support to elderly locals in the region while still respecting regulations in regard to the pandemic. The telecare-angel project also set up an extensive support system where local people are able to offer their services to elderly neighbours they may have. The charity of neighbours in Małopolska has been instrumental in helping elderly people in the region receive help if they need it, with 1,177 people receiving support and home-based care provided by their neighbours. 

Currently, 5,310 elderly and disabled people living in Małopolska are covered by the Tele-Angel project, which represents a record number receiving telecare support under a single project in Poland. A further 690 people, who are already in the next stages of being enrolled in the system, will be included in the near future. The region hopes to have more than 6 000 people living in Małopolska to receive tele-care services. 

Małopolska Tele-Angel is particularly important today. The COVID-19 pandemic represents the greatest risk for older people, those who are already ill and the disabled. Tele-Angel has proven to be of an immense help to them, by allowing them to continue to live their lives with maximum dignity and security.