Grasp the opportunity! Poland's entry into the European Union gave Polish businessmen and local government units the right to benefit from European Union aid resources. Subsidies are disbursed from resources within the framework of preaccession and structural funds. The objective of this assistance in the evening out of the level of development of the countries of the European Union.
Structural and preaccession funds are the basic instrument of regional policy aimed at evening out differences in the development of regions and even member states. Structural funds are one of the most attractive forms of support. Over the years 2004-2006, Poland received over EUR 12.8 billion in support within the framework of these funds. Poland has gained access to four funds:
The European Regional Development Fund,
The European Social Funds,
The European Agricultural Orientation and Guarantee Fund, and
Fishing Orientation Financial Instruments,
As well as Cohesion Funds that are not considered structural funds. Resources from the structural funds shall be designated as follows:
51.9% on primary infrastructure, including 29% on transportation,
22.4% on human resources, and
23.9% on the manufacturing environment, including 10.9% on industry and services, 10% on the development of agriculture, rural areas, and fishing, and 2.9% on tourism.
Resources attracted by Poland within the framework of Structural and Preaccession Funds are granted the beneficiaries in the form of subsidies. Principles for granting a subsidy are defined by the Operational Sector Program. Each of these programs is subdivided into priorities, and successively on actions and subactions, defining in detail the principles for granting the subsidies. Analysis of the potential for benefiting from a subsidy should be commenced with an examination of the program documents and guidelines for specific actions. These documents are published on the Internet pages of the institution implementing the given programs as well as on special information pages devoted to the funds. (Link to the name of the institutions and information links.)
