The Lubelskie region as a beneficiary of the EU cohesion policy funds – experiences and prospects

Abstract

Lubelskie voivodeship belongs to Eastern Poland regions, these face numerous difficulties such as economic backwardness, underdeveloped infrastructure, ageing and depopulation, as well as border location. As a result, Lubelskie voivodeship was qualified as the least development areas (NUTS 2) in the European Union. The goal of the article is to investigate the scopes and the directions of allocation of the EU assistance in programmes in the years 2004–2006 and 2007–2013, as well as in the current programming period. Lubelskie voivodeship is an active participant of EU funds and uses the growth opportunities offered by regional programme and Development Eastern Poland Programme. Compared to other voivodeships, received one of the lowest values of co-financing under national programmes. The largest EU support for the Lubelskie voivodeship in the years 2004–2013 was spent on transport, enterprises, social and local infrastructure. In the current programming period, it is planned to increase funding for enterprises, strengthening the cooperation between science and business, low carbon economy and RES, labour market and social inclusion.