Regional preference

At the beginning of this month, Jarosław Kaczyński's Cabinet accepted the third version of the National Cohesion Strategy (NSR), which aims to enhance the competitiveness of Poland's knowledge-based economy, the growth of entrepreneurship and social, economic and spatial cohesion.

"The poor regions will get the promised help, but simultaneously we will build competitiveness in all voivodships. We want to create conditions enhancing economic growth and a rise in employment," said Grażyna Gęsicka, Minister of Regional Development.

Of the EUR 59.5 (zł.233) billion in EU cohesion funds designated for Poland between 2007-13, some 70 percent will be spent on a national basis, and the remaining 30 percent will be distributed by the regions.

Within the 16 voivodship operational programs, regions will spend EUR 15.98 (zł.62.69) billion. The allocation for the eastern regions ranges between EUR 900 (zł.3,530) and EUR 1,200 (zł.4,708) per capita while the central voivodships will receive less than EUR 500 (zł.1,962) per capita. Lubelskie voivodship's allocation will exceed EUR 2 (zł.7.8) billion, while Lubuskie's will account for some EUR 572 (zł.2,244) million.

The Ministry of Regional Development has also re-calculated the value of Cohesion Fund projects in the transport and environmental protection sectors financed in the 2004-2006 period. They found that from projects modified in 2006, the state was able to save a total of EUR 360 (zł.1,410) million, which must be contracted out by the end of the year if Poland is to retain it.