EU funds "too complicated"

Just 18.9% of small and medium-sized Polish enterprises intend to apply for EU funds in 2008 and 2009, according to a survey by employers' organization PKPP Lewiatan.

That was down from more than 25% in previous editions of the survey. The criteria to obtain EU aid are seen by many as too rigid and out of touch with business needs.

This lack of "fit" was the single most important reason for companies' decision not to seek EU funds, cited by 44% of respondents.