EU to give government EUR 1.5 billion to fight unemployment

The government has finalized negotiations with the European Commission concerning the use of finances from the European Social Fund. As a result the European Union has guaranteed the government EUR 1.5 billion between 2004 to 2006 to combat unemployment in Poland. A new structural fund will be formed to help develop human resources, support employment agencies, professional consultations, subsidizing employment for youths and the disabled, as well as training, and post-graduate courses. The new fund is to operate on the basis of refund of costs from the EU. Undersecretary of State in the Economy Ministry, Marek Szczepański, said that the government will have to first invest around zł. 2 billion, to receive the EUR 1.5 billion refund. "This initial sum will come from the Labor Fund, the Education Ministry budget, and the National Fund for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled," said Szczepański, adding that the first projects are to be launched in January or February 2004. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 20) A.K.