Poland
Programmes summaries :

Operational programme 2007-2013: "Podkarpackie"

1. Podkarpackie Regional Operational Programme, Convergence objective, co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

[ Figures and graphics available in PDF and WORD PROCESSED ]

2. On 1^st October 2007, the European Commission approved the regional development programme in the Podkarpackie region in Poland for the period 2007-2013, entitled "the Operational Programme for the Podkarpackie voivodship". This programme involves Community support for Podkarpackie within the framework of "Convergence" objective. The total budget of the programme is around € 1.34 billion and the Community investment through the ERDF amounts to € 1.13 billion (approximately 1.6 % of the total EU funds invested in Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).

3. The purpose and aim of the EU investment

The Podkarpackie Regional Operational Programme (ROP) is the region’s first ever large-scale, coordinated, multi-annual and financially stable programme of development measures. Its strategic goal is to improve the region’s competitiveness, social cohesion and accessibility and realise its unique economic and cultural potential and ensure a sustainable use of its environment.

Consequently, the Podkarpackie ROP will become the region’s most important instrument for making structural changes happen. It will also be an important tool for the delivery of the revised Lisbon Strategy. The Lisbon objectives allocation in the Programme is more than 42% of its total budget.

The Strategic Goal of the Programme is "To increase domestic and international economic competitiveness and to improve the accessibility of Podkarpackie region".

4. The expected impact of the investment

According to a macroeconomic modelling projection the programme is expected to deliver additional GDP in Podkarpackie region of 2.7% and almost 8000 new jobs.

5. Priorities

The specific objectives of the programme are the following:

1. To create conditions for the development of knowledge-based entrepreneurship;
2. To improve the region’s accessibility and investment attractiveness through projects in the field of transport and energy;
3. To create the conditions for the development of information society in the region;
4. To prevent environmental degradation, counter natural and technological threats and to promote efficient management of natural resources;
5. To create conditions for the development of social capital through investments in education, health protection, social welfare, sport and recreation;
6. To increase the share of tourism in the region’s economy, to protect cultural heritage and to develop cultural institutions;
7. To diminish the intra-regional disparities.

The programme is structured according to the following priorities:

Priority 1: Competitive and Innovative Economy

The support under this priority is primarily concentrated to SME's. Only exceptionally (maximum of 10% of the total allocation) it would be possible to support large companies, in cases not exceeding the volume of 2 million EURO, when it is important for the regional economy. It is stipulated to support both existing and new enterprises by increasing the accessibility to external financing sources to SME's. Preference should be given to those companies, which are in line with the Regional Innovation Strategy of Podkarpackie voivodship, which would contribute to the development of regional cluster "Aviation Valley" and also to those increasing the innovative potential and knowledge transfer. Within the framework of this priority, it is also stipulated to provide an indirect business support through instruments like specialised loan funds, guarantee funds and other instruments of capital support. Finally, support will be given to institutions providing comprehensive counselling services tailored to meet local companies’ needs. The existing networks of institutions of business-related environment in the region will be supported and new institutions providing advisory services to businesses might be also created.

Priority 2: Technical Infrastructure

The main aim of this priority is to improve the accessibility and investment attractiveness of the region. This should be achieved through the improvement of transport infrastructure. Thus, the key transport connections with the planned A4 highway as well as S19 and S74 expressways will be supported as well the roads improving access to border crossings; railway line No. 71 should be modernised too. Another important element will be the support of Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport. Given the importance of transport infrastructure for the economic development and intra-regional cohesion, projects are also envisaged to support the modernisations of voivodeship, county and district roads of regional and local significance as well as important ring roads in urbanised areas. The purchase of rolling stock for the regional public transport is stipulated as well.

Another area of support under this priority is the infrastructure in the field of energy generation and distribution. As regards renewable energy, the results of conducted analysis yielded that the region has a significant potential: as an example, it might be possible to build about 200 wind power stations of power up to 100 kW, about 30 wind power stations of power from 100 kW to 1 MW and about 6 wind power stations of power larger than 1 MW (including the wind farms).

Priority 3: Information Society

The telecommunication infrastructure in the region is so far not sufficiently developed. The main aim of this priority is to improve an access to information, not least in small towns and rural areas. Projects supported will be complementary to those supported under the OP Eastern Poland Development. Within the framework of this priority, regional and local broadband networks should be supported as well as electronic platforms in the field of e-health, e-education, e-services in public administration or GIS systems; public access to internet should be developed too.

Priority 4: Environment protection and risk prevention

The main aim of this priority is to prevent environmental degradation and to support the measure countering natural and technological risks. In the field of environmental protection, the construction and modernisation of sewage systems and waste water treatment plants is envisaged with reference to agglomerations lower than 15 000 equivalent inhabitant number and also project improving the water supply and waste management. Further, within the framework of this priority, the flood protection measures are envisaged. The rich natural heritage and relatively unspoilt natural environment in Podkarpackie requires actions aimed at the preservation and protection of landscape and biological diversity, the projects implemented under this priority will thus also contribute to the preservation of the diversity of species and the protection of habitats.

Priority 5: Public infrastructure

The main aim of the priority is to support the infrastructure in the field of education, health care, social, sports and recreation. In terms of education infrastructure, projects will support didactic and scientific-research facilities of universities, e.g. laboratories, libraries including the adaptation of the abovementioned facilities to the needs of disabled. In the field of health care and social services, besides modernisation of existing institutions, support is also aimed at the provision of medical apparatus for diagnostics, therapy and rehabilitation. Projects in the field of infrastructure for the family and children will constitute an equally important element of the improved access to basic social services, e.g. support centres, adoption-care centres, care & education institutions, centres for homeless and social integration centres. Finally, sports and recreation infrastructure will be supported as well, since it constitute an important factor contributing to investment attractiveness and tourism development and also to retaining the qualified labour force in the region.

Priority 6: Tourism and culture

The region is rich in tourist and cultural assets, which can play an important role in promoting sustainable economic development. The projects under this priority would comprise both tourism infrastructure and cultural heritage. In the field of tourism, such projects will be promoted like tourist paths, ski lifts, inland harbours, tourist information points, spa facilities etc. The investments in tourism infrastructure will be accompanied by advertising campaigns and informational and promotional activities. In the field of culture, projects relating to the modernisation of cultural facilities, such as theatres, libraries, artistic clubs, museums, art galleries, cultural information centres are envisaged. The support will also be provided to projects in the field of the digital archiving of resources in libraries, museums with the purpose of the facilitating the availability of such resources to wider public.

Priority 7: Intra-regional cohesion

The main aim of this priority is to diminish the intra-regional disparities by supporting cities as growth poles, fostering the revitalisation of dilapidated areas and stimulating the investment attractiveness of economically marginalised areas. The main objective of the revitalization projects shall be social and economic revitalisation of areas and buildings with the aim to adapt those to new functions, such as economic, social, educational, cultural, tourist and housing. Economically marginalised areas shall be supported via number of projects aimed at complex land reclamation and development, to make those regions more attractive for potential investors and businesses.

Priority 8: Technical assistance.

This Priority Axis will support projects in the area of support for the Podkarpackie ROP management and implementation process, publicity and information and support for the process of project development and implementation.

6. Managing Authority: Council of the Podkarpackie voivodship

Contact: Mr Zygmunt Cholewiński, Marshal of the Podkarpackie voivodship
Marshal's Office of the Podkarpackie voivodship
ul. Grunwaldzka 15,
PL-35-959 Rzeszów
Tel.: +48178501780
Fax: +48178606702
E-mail: z.cholewinski@podkarpackie.pl

Operational programme 2007-2013: "Greater Poland"

1. Wielkopolskie Regional Operational Programme, Convergence objective, co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

2. On 6 September 2007, the European Commission approved the regional development programme in the Wielkopolskie region in Poland for the period 2007-2013, entitled the "Regional Operational Programme for the Wielkopolskie for 2007–2013". This programme involves Community support for Wielkopolskie within the framework of the "Convergence" objective. The total budget of the programme is €1 639 800 809 and the Community investment through the ERDF amounts to € 1 272 792 644 (approximately 1.8 % of the total EU money to be spent in Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).

3. The purpose and aim of the EU investment

The Wielkopolskie Regional Operational Programme (ROP) is the region’s first ever large-scale, coordinated, multi-annual and financially stable programme of development measures. Its strategic goal is to improve the region’s competitiveness, social cohesion and accessibility and realise its unique economic and cultural potential and ensure the sustainable use of its environment. Consequently, the Wielkopolskie ROP will become the region’s most important instrument for making structural changes happen. It will also be an important tool for the delivery of the revised Lisbon Strategy. The Lisbon objectives allocation in the Programme is more than 40% of its ERDF budget.

4. The expected impact of the investment

The programme will ensure the creation of around 10 000 new jobs, of which 5800 will be for women. 250 km of new roads will be constructed and 750 km will be renovated. 500 000 persons will receive access to broadband internet.

5. Priorities

The programme is structured according to the following priorities:

Priority 1: Competitiveness of enterprises

The main objective of this priority will be realized in the region by measures aimed at strengthening SMEs' potential, their innovativeness, cooperative connections and links to science. Another area of support consists of assistance to business environment institutions, which offer a variety of services such as information, consulting, training courses, financial assistance, technological support and also the support during the start-up phase of enterprise incubating. To reinforce assistance to financial entrepreneurship the possibility of creating and developing financial instruments is also envisaged including the use of the JEREMIE initiative.

Priority 2: Communication infrastructure

The unlimited exchange of goods, services, people and information is a basic factor shaping competitiveness of the region. Wielkopolske, in comparison to other regions of the European Union, is a region with low standard and quality of roads, railways, air-transport, mass transport, communication and IT infrastructure. This situation has a significant impact on competitiveness and investment attractiveness and thus job creation. The spatial differentiation of access to particular types of infrastructure is one of the main reasons for the intraregional economic divide, which is the most important reason for the marginalization of particular parts of the region and certain groups of inhabitants. One of the consequences of this problem is that it results in a sub-optimal exploitation of regional development potential.

Priority 3: Environment

Making the Wielkopolske voivodship, in accordance with the renewed Lisbon Strategy, an attractive place for investments and work, is impossible without an increase in the quality of the environment. The bad condition of the environment and non-rational use of its resources are the most important factors limiting competitiveness of the region. This priority is a complex proposition for improving the condition of the region's environment.

Priority 4: Revitalization of problem areas

This priority aims at strengthening selected areas where there is a concentration of problems or where the existing potential is incorrectly or inefficiently used. Measures undertaken in the framework of this priority will comprise two fields of intervention: renewal of (parts of) towns and degraded post-military and post-industrial areas.

Priority 5: Infrastructure for human capital

A diagnosis of the education system in Wielkopolskie has shown that the structure of population over 15 years of age is dominated by persons with primary and secondary vocational education. This is particularly visible in small towns and villages. Better education structure is observed in Poznań, poviat towns and throughout the poviat of Poznań. Due to the shape of the transport infrastructure and economic preconditions, these centres are not always available for people from other locations. Such scattering of human capital conditions the economic potential of each region.

Priority 6: Tourism and cultural environment

The diversity of tourist and cultural attractions in Wielkopolskie is an important, yet not fully used development potential. To make the most of it, it is necessary to improve the poor condition of infrastructure and to understand the importance of nature and culture for the economic growth and creation of new jobs. The emphasis will be put on projects aiming at expanding tourism infrastructure (both technical and institutional) and employing cultural potential for tourism and for the economic development of the region.

Priority 7: Technical assistance

The objective of this priority is to increase the possibilities of absorption of resources from the Structural Funds within the Regional Operational Programme in Wielkopolskie. This will be achieved through supporting the efficient and effective implementation of the ROP (including communication activities). The priority will also allow for financing the preparations for the next programming period.

6. Managing Authority: Marshal's Office of the Wielkopolskie voivodship

Contact: Mr Grzegorz Potrzebowski

Departament of the regional policy

Marshal's Office of the Wielkopolskie voivodship

al. Niepodległości 18
PL-61-713 Poznań

Tel.: + 48 61 854 17 88
Fax.: + 48 61 854 17 85

E-mail: gpotrzebowski@umww.pl

Operational programme 2007-2013: "Opolskie"

1. Opolskie Regional Operational Programme, Convergence objective, co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

2. On 1st October 2007, the European Commission approved the regional development programme in the Opolskie region in Poland for the period 2007-2013, entitled the "Regional Operational Programme for Opolskie Voivodship for the years 2007–2013". This programme involves Community support for Opolskie within the framework of the "Convergence" objective. The total budget of the programme is EUR 502 523 310 and the Community investment through the ERDF amounts to EUR 427 144 813 (approximately 0.6 % of the total EU money to be spent in Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).

3. The purpose and aim of the EU investment

The Opolskie Regional Operational Programme (ROP) is the region’s first ever large-scale, coordinated, multi-annual and financially stable programme of development measures. Its strategic goal is to improve the region’s competitiveness, social cohesion and accessibility and realise its unique economic and cultural potential and ensure the sustainable use of its environment. Consequently, the Opolskie ROP will become the region’s most important instrument for making structural changes happen. It will also be an important tool for the delivery of the revised Lisbon Strategy. The Lisbon objectives allocation in the Programme is 43% of its ERDF budget.

4. The expected impact of the investment

The programme will ensure the creation of around 2850 new jobs, of which half will be for women. Over 1000 small and medium enterprises (SME) will be supported in the framework of the programme (including micro-enterprises) and 200 will receive support in the framework of innovation and new technology incubation. Around 280 000 persons will receive access to broadband internet and more than 11 000 people will benefit from connecting to sewer systems. In addition 74 km of roads will be renovated.

5. Priorities

The programme is structured according to the following priorities:

Priority 1: Strengthening economic attractiveness of the region

Undertakings conducted within this priority will aim at increasing the competitiveness of enterprises in the field of production, services, technology and organisation. A range of actions will be carried out for the benefit of, among others, development of innovativeness of enterprises in the SME sector, investments in modern technologies, strengthening the R&D sector as the crucial factors in economic development. Intervention of the priority will also concern investment support of institutions and regional structures which will aid initiating business activity and its development. Development of and providing additional capital for credit and loan guarantees, and other public financial institutions offering repayable financial instruments will be supported for reinforcement of conducted actions. Within the priority such actions will be carried out which relate to areas of tourism, recreation and sports and they aim at increasing the standard of infrastructure and quality of offered services. Such actions will contribute to economic growth in the region and to enhancement of its attractiveness for the inhabitants and potential tourists and investors. The scope of the priority entirely follows the guidelines of the renewed Lisbon Strategy. At the same time, actionsd carried out within the framework of the priority will correspond with objectives and topic areas of the Opolskie Voivodship Regional Innovative Strategy for 2004-2013.

Priority 2: Information society

A weakness of the Opolskie Voivodeship is insufficient use of ICTs, including poor telecommunications and IT infrastructure which restricts access to modern information and communications technologies. Therefore in the face of challenges posed by the renewed Lisbon Strategy and taking into account the EU strategy for sustainable development adopted at the Göteborg summit by the European Council, a priority for the Opolskie Voivodeship and an opportunity for its development is to create technical conditions for common use of ICTs and their popularisation to build the information society in the region. Due to the fact that investments in ICTs constitute one of the most important factors of growth and productivity as well as a fundamental element of increasing competitiveness and development of the region, common use of ICTs will be promoted and at the same time the support will be provided to measures aimed at ensuring and increasing availability of these technologies. Actions taken in this field are to contribute to eliminating social differences, narrowing a digital gap and supporting territorial and social cohesion. Development of the information society through development of e-services information modules to enhance competitiveness of the voivodeship and establishing proper infrastructural facilities for ICTs will take place within this priority.

Priority 3: Transport

The region's SWOT analysis shows that it is necessary to make technical infrastructure more dynamic and to take advantage of a convenient location of the region and its demographic and social potential to a greater extent. A good competitive position of the neighbouring voivodeships as regards attractiveness combined with an unsatisfactory interest in the Opolskie Voivodeship by external investors sets up a serious barrier to development of the region. The activities carried out within this priority will be aimed at increasing transport accessibility of the region, improving safety and increasing mobility of the region’s residents with the application of environmentally-friendly solutions. Actions to be carried out will include construction of road infrastructure of regional and local importance, development of public transport system i.e. urban and railway transport. Special attention will be paid to improving accessibility of the areas important to development of the Opolskie Voivodeship (mainly areas for investments, municipal centres) to the A-4 motorway The priority objective also includes actions to eliminate barriers to free transfer between rural and urban areas.

Priority 4: Environmental protection

This priority will be aimed at improving the quality of environment through the development of public water –sewage and waste management, flood management, air protection and removable energy sources management. There will also be projects implemented aimed at the preservation of biological biodiversity, natural resources, landscape and those connected with environment monitoring. Within the priority, preference will be given to projects displaying large energy efficiency in compliance with the objectives of Poland's Energy Policy until 2025. As regards the improvement of waste and biogas management, preference will be given to projects for their usage for energy and heating purposes especially in small cogeneration units or directly for technological purposes. Air protection will cover actions designed to reduce emission of gases and dust to the air. In addition, following the Community policy directions for 2007-2013, the tasks performed within priority 4 are to increase the use of renewable energy sources as well as stimulate actions aimed at preserving biological diversity and unique in Poland natural and landscape assets of the Opolskie Voivodeship. Due to the fact that in the Opolskie Voivodeship there is a real risk of flood, the funds will also be allocated to development of flood prevention infrastructure.

Priority 5: Social infrastructure and higher education

The aim of this priority will be to increase attractiveness of the region for living and development of inhabitants through strengthening the role of education, increasing significance of culture and raising a level of health safety. Within the priority actions will be carried out related to regional educational infrastructure at the level of higher, post-secondary and post-middle-school education as well as educational institutions aiming equalisation of educational opportunities. Raising the standards of infrastructure and equipment combined with actions which adapt the educational offer and life-long learning are also meant to contribute to effective responding to economic changes in the region, including the restructuring processes. Furthermore, the improvement of the quality of educational infrastructure will be undertaken at local level, with particular attention to the demographic and economic situation in a given area. The priority will also support actions strongly related to ensuring an adequate quality of life to the region’s inhabitants which will concern protection of their health. Actions undertaken in this respect will aim primarily at raising the standards of infrastructure as well as quality and availability of provided services. In order to produce permanent competitive advantages of the region, increase its attractiveness and support its socio-economic development, the priority will provide support for actions in the field of culture as well as cultural and natural heritage. Actions conducted in this respect will focus on projects of significance minimum above the local level.

Priority 6: Mobilisation of municipal and degraded areas

Problematic areas are a sign of disproportions in development, therefore it is necessary to identify and limit them to pursue an effective development policy. In the Opolskie Voivodeship to prevent social, economic and spatial marginalisation of selected degraded areas, the supported revitalisation measures will be aimed at ensuring sustainable development and intraregional cohesion as well as improving the quality of life of the inhabitants, restoring spatial order and economic revival as well as re-establishing social ties. The role of the projects carried out will be to implement processes to make degraded areas able to function efficiently again, by changing the structure of the areas and giving them new functions, and first of all mobilisation of the space by introducing a positive value of the quality change.

Priority 7: Technical assistance

Actions carried out within the priority are to ensure growth and stability of employment as well as raise the quality of human resources involved in implementation of the Programme. Actions in this priority will be carried out at staff, organisational and technical levels. Implementation of the priority will ensure efficient implementation of the programme and it will include processes of management, control and monitoring, as well as information and publicity actions related to the Programme, taking into consideration improvement in the flow of information about support from the EU in 2007-2013. Moreover, funds allocated within the priority will be used for proper preparation of projects and popularisation of knowledge and information on the system of public procurement tenders, especially among potential beneficiaries.
6. Managing Authority: Marshal's Office of the Opolskie voivodship
Contact: Józef Sebesta
Marshal of the Opolskie Voivodship
Marshal's Office of the Opolskie Voivodship
45-082 Opole
ul. Piastowska 14
tel. +48 77 54 16 510
fax +48 77 54 16 512
marszalek@umwo.opole.pl

Operational programme 2007-2013: "Mazovia"

1. Mazowieckie Regional Operational Programme, Convergence objective, co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

2. On 10 October 2007, the European Commission approved the regional development programme in the Mazovia region in Poland for the period 2007-2013, entitled "the Operational Programme for the Mazowieckie voivodship". This programme involves Community support for Mazovia within the framework of "Convergence" objective. The total budget of the programme is around EUR 2.15 billion and the Community investment through the ERDF amounts to EUR 1.83 billion (approximately 2.7 % of the total EU money invested in Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).

3. The purpose and aim of the EU investment

It will also be an important tool for the delivery of the revised Lisbon Strategy, 39% of its total budget will be devoted to Lisbon objectives. The Strategic Goal of the Programme is the "the improvement of the region's competitiveness and improvement of the social, economic, and territorial cohesion of the voivodship".

4. The expected impact of the investment

According to a macroeconomic modelling projection regional funds are expected to raise the growth of the region's GDP per capita of 10% and to create around 7 000 new jobs. Around 1000 projects concerning direct investment aid to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) will be financed under the programme. More than 470 km of roads will be reconstructed or modernised. Around 15 000 persons will be connected to the water supply network and 40 000 to the sewerage network. 800000 persons will receive access to broadband internet.

5. Priorities

The programme is structured according to the following priorities:

Priority 1: Creating conditions for development of innovation potential and entrepreneurship in Mazovia

Actions will be pursued to strengthen the research & development (R&D) sector by supporting the development of centres of high research potential. Support will include investments for scientific research needs or development works, including investments in infrastructure, as well as for the setting up and development of innovation enterprises, implementation of R&D, facilitation of access to certification & standards services, development of co-operation in the field of innovation between enterprises and the R&D sector as well as science and technology, promoting transfer of new technologies and know-how, and investments by business in new technologies and innovation implementation. Support will also be aimed at the development of business environment institutions operating for innovative enterprises, consulting services for innovative companies, and development of information systems on innovation and innovation promotion. There will also be projects supporting enterprises in implementation of environment friendly technologies and improved environment management, preparation of sites for business activities. Initiatives to promote the region as a good place to invest and its businesses will also be supported.

Priority 2: Accelerating the e-development of Mazovia

Operations will focus on levelling disproportions in development of ICT, in particular in areas with a low level of e-development potential by carrying out IT development projects of the voivodship (broadband networks), projects developing regional and local public e-services (e.g. public administration infrastructure, regional and local spatial information infrastructure) and ICT development for enterprises. Support will be given to the creation of a system of on-line services available to inhabitants and enterprises, a platform of integrated public services, and a system of Public Internet Access Points (PIAP). In order to launch e-services in the region, operations will be performed to provide and modernise IT infrastructure of public administration, public health services. Development of communications and information technologies for SMEs will focus on support to enterprises providing e-services or providing access to digital content, also for local communities.

Priority 3: Regional transport system

The projects implemented under this Priority will aim to connect the regional transport network with the national and international networks, in particular with the transeuropean, transport network (TEN-T). With respect to the road infrastructure, support will be provided for projects involving construction of new road links and reconstruction, extension and modernisation of existing regional, county and municipality roads. Support to the regional railway transport system will be provided via projects of purchase and modernisation of railway rolling stock for regional passenger transportation. It will also be possible to implement projects involving construction of “park and ride” facilities in connection with the setting up of transfer nodes integrating different transport modes, located on the city outskirts or in the vicinity of train stations and bus depots, as well as the purchase and installation of infrastructure used to improve the functioning of regional public transportation (e.g. electronic information systems for passengers, electronic ticketing systems – so-called intelligent transport system). Finally, one regional airport will be expanded and modernised.

Priority 4: Environment, prevention of threats, and energy

Support will be given to projects aiming to improve the economic and investment attractiveness and compliance of the region with environment protection standards. In the area of water quality, support will be provided to the expansion and modernisation of the water supply and sewage disposal systems (including water intake and sewage treatment plants), recovery or neutralisation of sewage sludge and projects aimed at introducing rational water consumption. In the area of waste, investments will be focused on reducing quantities of dumped waste and mitigating their negative impact on the environment; cultivating degraded areas; developing selective waste collection systems; construction, expansion, and modernisation of waste segregation installations; and construction of hazardous waste landfills. Air quality will be improved through the modernisation of heat distribution systems, developing alternative (renewable) sources of heat and energy, and thermo-modernisation of buildings. Support will be granted to operations aiming to create cohesive and comprehensive regional environment monitoring systems as well as systems to forecast, warn, respond, and eliminate effects of natural and technological hazards. There will also be projects to help public institutions to implement environment friendly technologies as well as projects relating to preservation and protection of existing natural resources in national parks, Natura 2000 areas, and forest complexes.

Priority 5: Strengthening the role of cities in the development of the region

Under this Priority, support will granted to projects aimed at the regeneration of degraded urban areas, particularly city centres, post-industrial and post-military sites, and run-down residential areas. Projects can include the regeneration or cultural, social, and economic infrastructure, as long as they are a part of a wider project of urban regeneration. Support to housing will also be given, within the limits established by the regulations. Finally, undertakings are planned to improve the system of public transport in cities, excluding the Warsaw metropolitan area. Support will be directed at improving the infrastructure, including construction of new or modernisation of existing public transportation lines, purchase of new rolling stock, modernisation of public transportation stock, creation of integrated systems of urban public transportation and accompanying infrastructure with respect to road traffic safety and environment protection.

Priority 6: Making use of nature and culture vales for development of tourism and recreation

Within the priority, projects will be carried out to use natural and cultural resources in order to improve attractiveness of the region by developing tourism and cultural sectors. Support will be provided to operations in the area of protection and restoration of historical buildings and complexes to expand the offer for tourists, and to the development of infrastructure for cultural operations, e.g. by cultural institutions, like museums, theatres, libraries as well as cultural centres. It will also be possible to digitise the cultural heritage resources and development of information society in the area of culture.

Priority 7: Creating and improving conditions for human capital development

Within the priority, support will be provided to improve quality of health services so they meet the professional and sanitary requirements concerning the premises and equipment required by law. Specifically, support will be provided to projects related to modernisation of existing facilities and provision of specialist medical equipment and apparatus to health service institutions. Secondly, support will be aimed at the improvement of the educational system, by provided support to projects improving the condition and equipment of educational facilities, improving quality and propagating modern teaching methods. Finally, the system of social assistance will be supported through projects such as the construction, modernisation (also adjustment to access by disabled persons) and improved furnishing of various facilities, such as: long-sojourn or social assistance institutions providing care for the sick.

Priority 8: Technical assistance

Under this priority , support will be provided for actions relating to the process of the management, implementation, monitoring, control, ensuring programming continuity, and also projects selection and evaluation, consisting of appropriate organisation of the work, raising staff qualifications and equipment with technical tools. Support will also be provided for information and communication activities.

6. Managing Authority: Council of the Mazowieckie voivodship

Contact: Mr. Adam Struzik, Marshal of the Mazowieckie voivodship

Marshal's Office of the Mazowieckie voivodship

ul. B. Brechta 3

PL-03-472 Warszawa

Tel.: +48 22 597 9104

Fax: +48 22 597 9275

E-mail: a.struzik@mazovia.pl

Operational programme 2007-2013: "Lower Silesia"

1. Dolnośląskie Regional Operational Programme, Convergence objective, co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

2. On 6 September 2007, the European Commission approved the regional development programme in the Lower-Silesian region in Poland for the period 2007-2013, entitled the "Regional Operational Programme for the Dolnośląskie voivodship for 2007–2013". This programme involves Community support for Dolnośląskie within the framework of the "Convergence" objective. The total budget of the programme is around EUR 1.56 billion and the Community investment through the ERDF amounts to EUR 1.21 billion (approximately 1.8 % of the total EU money to be spent in Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).

3. The purpose and aim of the EU investment

The Dolnośląskie Regional Operational Programme (ROP) is the region’s first ever large-scale, coordinated, multi-annual and financially stable programme of development measures. Its strategic goals are to improve the region’s competitiveness, social cohesion and accessibility, realise its unique economic and cultural potential and ensure a sustainable use of its environment. Consequently, the Dolnośląskie ROP will become the region’s most important instrument for making structural changes happen. It will also be an important tool for the delivery of the revised Lisbon Strategy. The Lisbon objectives allocation in the Programme is more than 40% of its ERDF budget.

The Strategic Goal of the Programme is to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of Dolnośląskie and to increase the region’s competitiveness while respecting principles of sustainable development.

4. The expected impact of the investment

The programme will ensure the creation of around 8 400 new jobs, of which 4 200 will be for women. 540 km of new sewerage pipelines will be constructed and 40 000 persons will get access to the waste water canalization. 250 000 persons will receive access to broadband Internet.

5. Priorities

The programme is structured according to the following priorities:

Priority 1: Growth of competitiveness of Dolnośląskie enterprises (“Enterprises and Innovation”)

The objective of the priority is the growth of the competitiveness of Dolnośląskie enterprises mainly through activities supporting the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) as well as strengthening and exploiting the potential of the Research and Development (R&D) sector. There will be direct and indirect SME financial support instruments. Difficulties in obtaining external commercial sources of financing and a limited amount of own funds are among the main barriers to the development of Dolnośląskie enterprises, especially in the SME sector. Therefore, this priority will include support for the innovative investments of enterprises, including investments in the field of research and development activities. This will be through the purchase of fixed assets related to conducting R&D works in enterprises and support for revolving instruments financed for SMEs, especially the regional and local loan and guarantee funds. The application of the JEREMIE initiative is also allowed in this field. The other main area of intervention is cooperation between enterprises as well as between enterprises and R&D centres.

Priority 2: Development of the information society in Dolnośląskie (“Information Society”)

The main objective of the priority is to support the competitiveness of the region through the development of broadly understood regional and local infrastructure for the information society.

It will contribute to reducing disparities in the access and use of the Internet and other Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) between the Dolnośląskie society and other regions of the European Union. It is also important to reduce existing differences occurring in the region, in particular between urban centres and rural areas. Subsidised projects concerning rural areas and small towns shall receive at least 38% of this priority.

Priority 3: Development of transport infrastructure in Dolnośląskie (“Transport”)

The main objective of this priority is the modernisation and development of the existing transport infrastructure so as to modernise transport networks with neighbouring regions and domestic connections, which will contribute to the development of areas of economic and tourism activity. This will ensure the connection of the regional road network with the national and international transport system. These actions aim at developing and improving mass transport, reducing its adverse effect on the environment, and overcoming barriers faced by the disabled. Subsidised projects concerning rural areas and small towns shall receive at least 38% of this priority.

Priority 4: Improvement of the natural environment and improvement of ecological and flood safety in Dolnośląskie (“Environment and Ecological Safety”)

The objective of the priority is the improvement of the quality of the environment, prevention of its degradation and conservation of the biodiversity and natural assets of Dolnośląskie. At the same time the aim is the improvement of safety in the region through counteracting natural and technological risks and eliminating their effects as well as through supporting the rescue services operating in this field. Subsidised projects concerning rural areas and small towns shall receive at least 38% of this priority.

Priority 5: Environmentally friendly energy infrastructure in the region (“Energy”)

The aim of the priority is the improvement of energy security of the region through modernising the energy distribution system to reduce losses and to ensure the security of energy supplies. Special attention will be also paid to decreasing the usage of solid fuels and taking into consideration environmental protection requirements in the process of energy production, including the use of renewable energy sources. Subsidised projects concerning rural areas and small towns shall receive at least 38% of this priority.

Priority 6: Exploitation and promotion of the Dolnośląskie tourism and cultural spa potential (“Tourism and Culture”)

The main objective of the priority is the improvement of competitiveness of tourism in Dolnośląskie and the exploitation of its cultural and heritage potential to increase the attractiveness of the region in the national and international markets. The implementation of this priority will contribute to an increase in importance of tourism and culture as a factor influencing socio-economic development in the voivodship.

Priority 7: Development and modernisation of education infrastructure in Dolnośląskie (“Education”)

The main objective of the priority is the improvement in quality and effectiveness of the education and training system through investment in Dolnośląskie's educational institutions.

The implementation of the objective will contribute, among other things, to enhancing the role of higher education institutions and preparing them to fulfil a key role in the process of establishing a competitive regional economy. This competitiveness will also be strengthened through an improvement in schools and institutions which operate within the education system as well as lifelong learning establishments, including centres that educate teachers and improve their professional skills. Subsidised projects concerning rural areas and small towns shall have at least a15% budget share for this priority.

Priority 8: Modernisation of health infrastructure in Dolnośląskie (“Health”)

The main objective of this priority is the enhancement of the quality of healthcare through increasing the standards of medical services and improving the accessibility of services provided by healthcare institutions. Actions undertaken will lead to a rationalisation of the network of healthcare institutions. This priority will not provide financing for the on-going activities of the sector.

Priority 9: Rehabilitation of degraded urban areas in Dolnośląskie (“Towns”)

The main objective of the priority is the prevention of marginalisation of urban areas in Dolnośląskie where negative socio-economic phenomena are intensifying and the physical condition of the environment is subject to degradation. Actions undertaken within this priority will lead to the renovation of the most degraded urban areas and the enhancement of socio-economic structures. Priority will be given in particular to integrated solutions dealing in a comprehensive way with social and environmental problems.

Priority 10 : Technical Assistance

The objective of this priority is to increase the possibilities of absorption of resources from the Structural Funds within the Regional Operational Programme in Dolnośląskie. This will be achieved through supporting the efficient and effective implementation of the ROP. The priority will also allow for financing the preparations for the next programming period.

6. Managing Authority: Marshal's Office of the Dolnośląskie voivodship
Contact: Mr Ireneusz Ratuszniak
Department of the regional development
Marshal's Office of the Dolnośląskie voivodship
ul. Wybrzeże Słowackiego 12-14
PL-50-411 Wrocław
Tel. + 48 71 776 9335  Fax.+ 48 71 776 9003
E-mail: ireneusz.ratuszniak@umwd.pl
Internet: http://www.rpo.dolnyslask.pl
http://www.zporr.dolnyslask.pl

Operational programme 2007-2013: "Łódzkie

1. Łódzkie Regional Operational Programme, Convergence objective, co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

2. On 2 October 2007, the European Commission approved the regional development programme in the Łódzkie region in Poland for the period 2007-2013, entitled "the Operational Programme for the Łódzkie Voivodeship". This programme involves Community support for Łódzkie within the framework of the "Convergence" objective. The total budget of the programme is around € 1.3 billion and the Community investment through the ERDF amounts to EUR 1.01 billion (approximately 1.5 % of the total EU money invested in Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).

3. The purpose and aim of the EU investment

The Łódzkie Regional Operational Programme (ROP) is the region’s first ever large-scale, coordinated, multi-annual and financially stable programme of development measures. Consequently, the Łódzkie ROP will become the region’s most important instrument for making structural changes happen. It will also be an important tool for the delivery of the revised Lisbon Strategy. The Lisbon objectives allocation in the Programme is more than 37% of its total budget.

The Strategic Goal of the Programme is "the integration of the region with the European and global social and economic space as a central European development centre, favourable to living and economy, while aiming at the creation of its internal cohesion and maintenance of the variety of its areas".

4. The expected impact of the investment

According to a macroeconomic modelling projection the programme is expected to deliver additional GDP of 2.1%. It is expected that around 20 000 new jobs will be created, of which 10 000 will be for women and 2700 in rural areas. Around 2800 projects concerning direct investment aid to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) will be financed under the programme. 440 km of roads will be reconstructed or modernised. Around 6700 persons will be connected to the water supply network and 7500 to the sewerage network. 130 000 persons will receive access to broadband internet.

5. Priorities

The specific objectives of the programme are the following:

• Improvement of the transport accessibility of the Lodz region;
• Improvement of the state of natural environment and energetic safety;
• Development of the innovative and competitive economic sector in the region;
• Development of the information society;
• Creation of suitable conditions for the development of human resources;
• Economic and social revitalisation in degraded urban areas;
• Increase in the capabilities of the absorption of EU resources under ROP LR.

The programme is structured according to the following priorities:

Priority 1: Transport infrastructure

The aim of this priority axis is to improve the transport accessibility of the Lodz region. This will be provided by improvement of the state of and connection of the transport network of the Lodz region to the network of national roads, the Trans-European network of transport TEN-T and the airports; improvement of road traffic safety in the Lodz region, increase in the competitiveness and improvement in the quality of public transport in towns and cities, increase of the use of railway transport in passenger and goods services, increase of the significance of air transport (regional airport).

Priority 2: Environmental protection, prevention of threats, and energy

The aim of this priority is to improve the state of natural environment and energetic safety. This will be provided by rationalisation of economy in regard to communal and industrial waste drainage and treatment, rationalisation of water supply, rationalisation of the management of communal waste and economic sector waste, natural environment protection and creating ecological attitudes, improvement of the air quality, prevention of environmental dangers and reduction of their effects, development and improvement of the state of the energetic infrastructure of the region, diversification of energy sources, with particular attention paid to the use of renewable energy sources (RES).

Priority 3: Economy, innovativeness, entrepreneurship

The objective of this priority is to develop the innovative and competitive economic sector in the region. This will be achieved by supporting modernisation and development investments in enterprises, improving access to capital, supporting the R&D activity and the activity of business support institutions aimed at the development of cooperation between the scientific sector and the business sector, and lastly by improving attractiveness of the region in regard to recreation and tourism.

Priority 4: Information society

The aim of this priority is "development of the information society". This will be achieved by increasing the use of advanced IT technologies by inhabitants, equalisation of disproportions in regard to the access to and use of information and communication technologies (ICT) within the territory of the Lodz region.

Priority 5: Social infrastructure

The aim of this priority is to create suitable conditions for development of human resources. This will be provided by improving health safety level of inhabitants, increasing social assistance services’ importance in the economic development of the region, and improving knowledge and better adaptation of competences to the requirements of the labour market including forming and development of the regional cultural identity.

Priority 6: Revitalisation of urban areas

The aim of this priority is "Economic and social revitalisation in degraded urban areas". This will be achieved by revitalisation of the architectural structure of post-industrial and post-military areas and facilities, an increase in the attractiveness of urban areas for local and external investors, and revitalisation of degraded residential districts, including revitalisation of the housing structure.

Priority 7: Technical assistance

This priority will support projects in the area of support for the Łódzkie ROP management and implementation process, publicity and information and support for the process of project development and implementation.

6. Managing Authority: Council of the Łódzkie Voivodeship

Contact: Mr. Włodzimierz Fisiak, Marshal of the Łódzkie Voivodeship

Marshal's Office of the Łódzkie Voivodeship

al. Piłsudskiego 8

PL-90-051 Łódź

Tel.: +48 42 663 3000

Fax: +48 42 663 3002

E-mail: marszalek@lodzkie.pl

Operational programme 2007-2013: "Lesser Poland"

1. "Małopolskie Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013 ERDF"
Programme under Convergence objective co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

2. On 6 September 2007, The European Commission approved the regional development programme for the Polish Voivodship of Lesser Poland for the period 2007-2013, the Operational Programme "Małopolskie Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013 ERDF". This programme involves Community support for Małopolska within the framework of the "Convergence" objective. The total budget of the programme is around EUR 1.518 million and the Community investment through the ERDF amounts to around EUR 1.290 million (approximately 1.9 % of the total EU money invested in Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).

3. The purpose and aim of the EU investment

The Małopolskie Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013 ERDF is the region’s first ever large-scale, coordinated, multi-annual and financially stable programme of development measures.

The objective of the Programme is to create conditions facilitating economic growth and employment. In particular, this objective will be achieved through infrastructure investments enhancing competitiveness, facilitating the development of innovation and the information society, improving the quality of the natural and cultural environment.

Consequently, the Programme will become the region’s most important instrument for making the structural changes happen. It will also be an important tool for the delivery of the revised Lisbon Strategy. The Lisbon objectives allocation in the Programme is about EUR 460 million.

4. The expected impact of the investment

According to a macroeconomic modelling projection the programme is expected to deliver additional GDP of 1.84% and over 9 000 new jobs. Over 1 000 projects concerning direct investment aid to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) will be financed under the programme.

5. Priorities

The principal objectives of the 2007-2013 Małopolskie Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013 ERDF are to increase the competitiveness and innovative capacity of Małopolska, to enhance the internal cohesion of the region based on the sustainable growth principle and to the develop institutional potential of Małopolska-based entities.

The Małopolskie Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013 ERDF is structured into the following priorities:

Priority 1: Conditions for the development of the knowledge society

The priority is compatible with the e-Europe initiative and its continuation (European Information Society 2010). A true advantage of the region is its potential with respect to higher education and research. Development in these two areas is a major source of competitive advantage of the region in Europe and facilitates growth in innovation investments. Available under this priority will be non-repayable aid with respect to activities undertaken within two main areas: investments in higher education and life-long education infrastructure, and investments in infrastructure and technology with a view to developing the information society.

Priority 2: Regional opportunity economy

The activities financed under this priority will be focused on the creation of a strong and stable SME sector. This is to be pursued through direct and indirect support for SMEs, consisting of investment grants within the agreed framework of public aid, better accessibility of capital via creating new and improving existing financial instruments offered by business-support institutions as well as via facilitating the transfer of innovative and state-of-the-art solutions from the academic to the business environment. Furthermore, entrepreneurs will be encouraged to use environmentally-friendly processes and products. All these activities will contribute to the elimination of basic barriers hampering the development of Małopolska businesses and will trigger changes in their manner of operation so that higher added value is generated.

Priority 3: Tourism and culture industry

Development of tourism has a major effect on the competitive standing of a region and on enhancing its economic potential. With its unique natural assets and cultural and historical heritage, Małopolska is one of the most often visited tourist areas in Poland. Actions will be targeted to opening new opportunities as well as developing existing developmental conditions for businesses operating in the tourist and tourist- related sector. As part of the activities aimed at enhancing the tourist attractiveness of the region, projects concerning the protection of the cultural and natural heritage of Małopolska and support for the institutions involved in the preservation and presentation of this heritage will be undertaken. One of the reasons for providing support to this sector, apart from rescuing the cultural heritage from destruction, is to increase the economic importance of the culture industry via broadening the range of cultural events offered to the "consumers of culture".

Priority 4: Infrastructure for economic development

A major objective under this priority is the reduction of spatial barriers hampering economic development, consequent on poor inner accessibility of the region and shortage of attractive investment areas.

Expansion and upgrading of the road transport infrastructure – an increased importance of public transport and availability of attractive investment areas will result in higher profitability of investments in Małopolska. The improved transport system (with enhanced passenger transport) will attract more investors, both domestic and external, to Małopolska. The development of road connections with the existing and planned sections of the motorway will serve to implement community guidelines concerning the development of trans-European transport networks (TEN-T).

Priority 5: Kraków Metropolitan Area

Under this priority a comprehensive support of the most important growth centre in Małopolska – Kraków Metropolitan Area (KMA) will be financed. The interventions will be aimed at broadening the range and volume of metropolitan services offered, at strengthening Research and Development (R&D) establishments located in the metropolis, at improving the internal transport system within the KMA and its accessibility by air transport. As a result, the key metropolitan functions and its pro-development impact on other parts of the region will be enhanced. The importance and competitiveness of Kraków as a European economic, medical (specialist treatment), cultural, tourist and academic centre will grow.

Priority 6: Intra-regional cohesion

The Towns and cities of Małopolska play the role of local poles of growth, however the urbanisation level of the region is limited, and there are considerable spatial disproportions in social and economic development. The key objective under this priority axis is to ensure intra-regionally cohesive conditions facilitating the personal development of the inhabitants of Małopolska and its businesses, irrespective of the place of residence or operation. Activities undertaken in this respect will be focused on: revitalising degraded areas, including those with residential developments, providing villages and rural towns with basic social infrastructure: sport and educational infrastructure and childcare facilities and improved availability of healthcare.

Priority 7: Infrastructure for environmental protection

Rich natural resources (unique landscape, protected areas, forests, water deposits, mineral water springs) are a true advantage of the Małopolska region and create an opportunity for its development. These assets are not utilised to their full extent due to the poor municipal infrastructure for environmental protection. Activities financed under this priority will be connected with water and waste-water management, with the production of “ecological” energy, with the upgrading of heat distribution networks, and with waste management should result in reducing the adverse impact of human activity upon the natural environment, which is one of the underlying principles of sustainable growth policy. The interventions in the renewable energy sector will increase power supply security as well as energy efficiency, which will facilitate the implementation of the provisions of the Directive 2004/8/EC.

Priority 8: Trans-regional co-operation

This priority will concentrate on the promotion of Małopolska and encouraging the participation of the entities operating in the region in European co-operation networks. This type of activities will facilitate a transfer of knowledge and experience between Małopolska organisations and other European entities. Participation in the Initiative "Regions for Economic Change" is permitted under this priority axis as well as the implementation of activities relating to the outcomes of the Initiative.

Priority 9: Technical assistance

There is also provision for technical assistance in order to implement the programme. Financial support is available covering administration, monitoring, evaluation and control. Under this priority axis support will also be granted for the financing of pilot projects including the Małopolskie Project Pipeline and the Małopolskie Development Policy Observatory.

6. Managing Authority: Małopolska Region Management Board
Contact details:
Marek Nawara
Marszałek Województwa Małopolskiego
ul. Basztowa 22
PL-31-156 Kraków
Tel: +48 12 61 60 124
Fax: +48 12 43 00 394
Email: marek.nawara@umwm.pl
Internet: http://www.malopolskie.pl

Operational programme 2007-2013: "Kujawsko - Pomorskie"

1. Kujawsko - Pomorskie Regional Operational Programme, Convergence objective, co-funded by ERDF

2. The European Commission approved on 10 October 2007 a regional development programme in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region in Poland for the period 2007-2013, entitled the Operational Programme for the Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodship. This programme involves Community support for Kujawsko-Pomorskie within the framework of the "Convergence" objective. The total budget of the programme is € 1.11 billion and the Community investment through the ERDF amounts to € 951 million (approximately 1.4 % of the total EU funds invested in Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).

3. The purpose and aim of the EU investment

The Kujawsko-Pomorskie Regional Operational Programme (ROP) is the region’s first ever large-scale, coordinated, multi-annual and financially stable programme of development measures. Its strategic goal is to increase the competitiveness of the voivodeship and the social, economic and spatial coherence of its area, respecting the rules of sustainable development.

4. The expected impact of the investment

Consequently, the Kujawsko-Pomorskie ROP will become the region’s most important instrument for making the structural changes happen. According to a macroeconomic modeling projection the programme is expected to deliver an additional GDP/capita growth, that will reach a level of 55% of EU27 and over 8 000 new jobs in the target year 2013. It will be also an important tool for the delivery of the revised Lisbon Strategy. The Lisbon objectives allocation in the programme is almost 40% of its total budget.

5. Priorities

The specific objectives of the programme are the following:

1. To improve the attractiveness of Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodship;
2. To increase the competitiveness of the region's economy;
3. To advance the standard and quality of living of inhabitants.

The programme is structured according to the following priorities:

Priority 1: Development of technical infrastructure

The objective of the priority is an improvement of the technical infrastructure in the region, especially in the area of transport (road, rail and air transport) in order to provide better access to the region from outside, improve the internal cohesion and transport safety. The support refers to the measures aimed at construction and reconstruction of the road infrastructure, especially integration of the regional traffic system to the national road structure and to the European transport networks. Reconstruction of traffic systems in the region should be supported by projects aimed at an increase of the share of the public transport within the overall traffic in the metropolitan cities. In order to increase the role of railway passenger transport in the process of integration of rural areas into the regional and sub-regional centres of the voivodeship as well as the traffic between these centres (especially between Bydgoszcz and Toruń), support will be given to the development of a new rail structure and modernization of existing railways. Increasing the intensity of the integration of the region to the European surrounding and the anticipated increase of tourism justifies the planned development of technical infrastructure of the regional airport in Bydgoszcz as a main element of the traffic network of the Bydgoszcz-Toruń agglomeration.

Priority 2: Maintenance and rational utilization of environment

Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeship is characterized by a significant bio-diversity of the environment, 32,4% of its area is legally protected. Environmental values significantly affect the quality of life and determine the region’s attractiveness for tourists and investors. The objective of the priority is the improvement of the environmental status of the region, its protection and effective utilization of natural resources in order to improve the living conditions of inhabitants and create favorable conditions for the development of the economy in conformity with the principles of sustainable development. Support within this priority takes into account implementation of investments co-financed from the resources of the Cohesion Fund within the Operational Programme "Infrastructure and Environment", including water and sewage management in Toruń, ecological safety of the water dam in Włocławek, increase of flood safety of the river Wisła (Vistula River) on the section from Toruń to Kwidzyń. Financial support will be given to projects concerning development and modernization of transfer networks and facilities in water treatment plants, especially those using the power output of wastes (gases) for utility purposes, provided they are economically profitable. It is expected that the environment will benefit from a more intensive use of the region’s sources of renewable energy as a result of implementing energy conservation projects.

Priority 3: Development of social infrastructure

One of the main determinants of the region’s attractiveness for both business activities and residential location is a rich offer of social services, which requires investments in social infrastructure. The objectives of this priority is the improvement of the quality and availability of social services due to investments in social infrastructure (education, health, social care, culture), also for disabled people, and the protection and conservation of cultural heritage.

Priority 4: Development of the infrastructure of information society

A substantial part of the regional programme is devoted to the implementation of the objectives of the revised Lisbon Strategy. Projects concerning the development of information society will be supported in line with the Regional Innovation Strategy for Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeship, until 2015. The main objectives of the priority is the improvement of access to broadband computer network and hence access to world information resources, internet services, multimedia services and enhanced use of information and communication technologies in public services and economy.

Priority 5: Increase of competitiveness of companies

The objective of this priority is to increase the competitiveness of companies of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeship, develop their economic and innovative potential, growth of business activity and increase of employment. Projects supported under this priority will be in line with the Development Strategy for Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeship for the years 2007 – 2020 and the Regional Innovation Strategy until 2015 referring to the revised Lisbon Strategy. They will be also in line with the Community horizontal instruments like the 7th Framework Programme, Competitiveness and Innovation Programme, and lifelong learning.

Priority 6: Support for the development of tourism

Having in mind the valuable environmental resources as well as all substantial values of the cultural heritage (especially in Toruń), Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeship is a region with considerable tourism potential, that is weakly exposed and used for regional development. The priority will support projects aimed at a more efficient utilization of natural and cultural heritage resources, on extension and diversification of the tourist options and improvement of the quality of tourist services.

Priority 7: Support for changes in the cities and areas requiring renovation

The objective of the priority is the economic and social revival as well as infrastructural, architectural and urban renewal of devastated parts of cities, post-industrial and post-military grounds and objects. The priority foresees support for revitalization of such grounds (areas, buildings) aimed at increase the standard of everyday life of inhabitants, while protecting their cultural and historical values. The support will cover modernization of infrastructural development and renovation of objects, including renovation of the common parts of multi-family buildings, technical installations and other measures resulting in energy savings.

Priority 8: Technical assistance

The main objective of the priority is to ensure the efficient implementation of the Regional Operational Programme, including the correct preparation of projects in order to achieve the objectives stated in the ROP. Furthermore, the support for monitoring, control and publicity will be provided to assure the effective use of Structural Funds.

6. Managing Authority: Council of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodship

Contact: Mr Piotr Calbecki, Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodship

Marshal's Office of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodship

Plac Teatralny 2

87-100 Torun

Tel.: +48 56 62 23 131

Fax: +48 56 62 18 553

E-mail: marszalek@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl

Podlaskie Operational programme 2007-2013

1. Podlaskie Regional Operational Programme, Convergence objective,
co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

2. In October 2007, the European Commission approved the regional development programme for the Podlaskie region in Poland covering the period 2007-2013. The programme is entitled: 'Operational Programme for the Podlaskie Voivodeship'. It involves Community support for Podlaskie within the framework of the Convergence objective. The total budget of the programme is around EUR 0.75 billion. Community assistance through the ERDF amounts to EUR 636 million (approximately 0.95 % of the total EU money invested in Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).

3. Purpose of EU investment

The Podlaskie Regional Operational Programme (ROP) is the region’s first-ever large-scale, coordinated, multi-annual and financially stable programme of development measures. The Podlaskie ROP will become the region’s most important instrument for making structural changes happen. It will also be an important tool for delivery of the revised Lisbon Strategy. The allocation for Lisbon objectives in the Programme is more than 43.1% of its total budget.

The strategic goal of the Programme is to boost the rate of economic growth and the creation of new jobs outside agriculture with consideration for and preservation of region’s natural and cultural heritage.

4. Expected impact of investment

According to a macroeconomic modelling projection, the programme is expected to deliver additional GDP growth of 2.88%, and to create around 14 000 new jobs.

5. Priority axes

The specific objectives of the programme are to:

- Make the region more attractive to investors

- Boost the competitiveness of Podlaskie enterprises both nationally and internationally.

- Develop tourism focused on the region's natural and cultural heritage.

The programme is structured according to the following priorities:

Priority 1: Boost innovation, support entrepreneurship

This priority will include all measures related to improving the regional economy of Podlaskie. It will combine measures targeting the business environment and direct support for business. Direct aid schemes will contribute to improving competitiveness and innovation, especially in the SME sector. There will be support for using new technologies and solutions in a modern economy, in both manufacturing and services. As well as grants, there will be revolving financial instruments (loans and guarantees). The region will also consider using the JEREMIE initiative for revolving finance schemes. Business environment measures will involve creation of investment zones, increasing the potential of institutions of higher education and scientific units through initiating cooperation between the R&D sector and SMEs; and supporting business environment institutions through investment and consultancy.

Priority 2: Development of transport infrastructure

This priority will aim to improve the region's accessibility by modernising the transport infrastructure. Strategic regional connections between growth centres will be improved. In addition, local road schemes will be offered to link rural areas to their natural local growth centres. A regional airport will be constructed near Bialystok. Rolling stock for regional rail transport will be improved to make rail transport more attractive. Cities will be assisted in upgrading public transport.

Priority 3: Development of culture and tourism

This priority is intended to boost tourism and the attractiveness of the Podlaskie region. It will involve promoting investment in culture and tourism (including recreation and sport facilities); and promoting the Podlaskie region as an attractive place for tourism. The strategic goal is to attract tourists from abroad and to extend the average stay by offering an integrated tourism product that is less dependent on high seasons. This will involve support for enterprises in the tourism sector and improvements in tourist accommodation services.

Priority 4: Information Society

This priority will improve the use and take-up of the internet by providing the required IT infrastructure (local broadband networks, Public Access Points, informatisation of public offices). It will promote the concept of the information society by providing appropriate e-services (e.g. in administration, health protection, education, culture and sport). An ICT project, managed by the regional authorities and implemented in all municipalities, will aim to increase the compatibility of applied solutions.

Priority 5: Development of infrastructure for environment protection

This priority will aim to preserve the natural heritage by infrastructure investments reducing negative impacts on the environment. The investments will include waste management, water and wastewater installations, risk prevention measures, biodiversity measures to promote renewable energy sources. Local infrastructure investments will be located primarily in the least developed municipalities.

Priority 6: Social infrastructure development

This priority will aim to make the region more attractive for investment by improving social infrastructure. In education, the aim is to improve quality at all levels and to improve access to educational and culture heritage infrastructure. In the health sector, the aim is to improve the quality and accessibility of medical and social care services. The focus will be on investments of regional importance.

Priority 7: Technical assistance

This targets the Podlaskie ROP management and implementation process, publicity and information, and support for the process of project development and implementation.

6. Managing Authority: Council of the Podlaskie Voivodeship

Contact: Mr Dariusz Piontkowski, Marshal of the Podlaskie Voivodeship
Marshal's Office of the Podlaskie Voivodeship

Tel.:   + 48 85 7485 100
Fax:    + 48 85 7485 101
E-mail:  marszalek@umwp-podlasie.pl; www.wrotapodlasia.pl

Operational programme 2007-2013: "Pomerania"

1. Pomorskie Regional Operational Programme, Convergence objective, co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

2. On 6 September, the European Commission approved the regional development programme in the Pomeranian region in Poland for the period 2007-2013, entitled "the Operational Programme for the Pomorskie voivodship". This programme involves Community support for Pomerania within the framework of "Convergence" objective. The total budget of the programme is around EUR 1.3 billion and Community assistance through the ERDF amounts to EUR 885 million (approximately 1.3 % of the total EU money invested in Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).

3. The purpose and aim of the EU investment

The Pomorskie Regional Operational Programme (ROP) is the region’s first ever large-scale, coordinated, multi-annual and financially stable programme of development measures. Its strategic goal is to improve the region’s competitiveness, social cohesion and accessibility and realise its unique economic and cultural potential and ensure a sustainable use of its environment.

Consequently, the Pomorskie ROP will become the region’s most important instrument for making structural changes happen. It will also be an important tool for the delivery of the revised Lisbon Strategy. The Lisbon objectives allocation in the Programme is more than 47% of its total budget.

4. The expected impact of the investment

According to a macroeconomic modelling projection the programme is expected to deliver additional GDP of 3.4% and over 7 000 new jobs. The unemployment rate should be brought down by 0.7 percentage points after its implementation.

5. Priority

The specific objectives of the programme are the following:

1. To improve the competitiveness and innovation of the economy and increase the skill levels of the population;
2. To improve the attractiveness of cities for investment and the links between them;
3. To improve the attractiveness for settlement and tourism;
4. To overcome development barriers in areas with lower development potential;

The programme is structured according to the following priorities:

Priority 1: Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) development and innovation

There will be direct and indirect SME financial support instruments. The grants will support projects designed to create jobs and innovation in companies with a strong development potential, and the capacity to be competitive in the national and international market. Projects should aim to increase the efficiency of raw materials and energy consumption. Indirect business support will be designed to create and reinforce instruments such as specialised loan funds, guarantee funds and other instruments of capital support. The SME sector in the region will obtain better access to specialist advice. These services should be provided by business support organisations, using a system which is transparent and meets the actual demand from business. The key to establishing the region’s efficient business support environment will be the innovation network, which includes organisations that generate and effectively transfer innovation from research and development to business. To ensure that the business support environment is effective, it will be important to promote the region and its economy; this will be designed to attract inward investors and help Polish companies to establish international business relations.

Priority 2: Knowledge society

Better human capital will be delivered through support for training and research infrastructure at universities, with special emphasis on increasing schools’ capacity for quality education and making sure that the courses respond to the real needs of the labour market and dynamic economic change. It will involve the establishment of modern and flexible training at universities and a variety of attractive and affordable life-long learning courses (including specialist courses). Access to knowledge and information will be improved as new and better infrastructure is established to promote information and communication technologies, and as a result of funding to develop electronic services for the population and business. It will be particularly important to significantly improve the situation in areas away from the region’s major cities.

Priority 3: Urban and metropolitan functions

Attractiveness for investment, the urban fabric and tourism will improve with better transport systems, with special emphasis on public transport, and as a result of comprehensive initiatives to regenerate brownfield sites and modernise city spaces (especially public spaces) which will encourage or strengthen metropolitan and supra-urban functions.

Priority 4: Regional transport systems

Support is needed for the region’s transport system to ensure that road and rail networks are modernised and extended. The projects should contribute to an improved spatial cohesion of the region, more efficient links between the regional, national and European transport systems, as well as better use of the economic potential offered by the individual parts of the region and improved transport safety.

Priority 5: Environment and environment friendly energy

The region’s investments will aim to deliver the commitment under the Accession Treaty in the area of waste management. Water management investments will be critical in some parts of the region. Projects designed to monitor the environment will complement the actions. It is expected that the environment will benefit from a more extensive use of the region’s rich sources of renewable energy and as a result of implementing energy conservation projects.

Priority 6: Tourism and cultural heritage

The region’s tourism attractiveness is a key to its sustainable development. It will be strengthened by ensuring sustainable use of its unique natural and cultural wealth. The projects should aim to deliver diversified tourism and cover tourism infrastructure, cultural heritage and create and promote tourism products. Supporting the projects will be the development of an integrated system of tourist information.

Priority 7: Health protection and emergency system

The health of the region’s population requires decisive action to improve accessibility and quality of health care, especially in the area of preventing and diagnosing cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. A key role of the health care system will be to develop and improve the rescue and emergency system, part of the integrated regional rescue system being built now. To improve the functioning of the health care system and, from a wider perspective to improve the safety of the region’s communities, efforts will be made to introduce an integrated regional emergency system, including a medical emergency element.

Priority 8: Local basic infrastructure

To attract inward investment, create jobs and improve the quality of life of the region’s population, action is required to bridge the gap in the provision of basic infrastructure especially between cities and rural areas. The relevant projects should primarily address the needs of local road, economic and tourist infrastructure. Waste water management projects will be delivered to meet the Accession Treaty requirements.

Priority 9: Local social infrastructure and civil initiatives

Parts of the region affected by social and economic problems, especially rural areas, require support to improve the quality and accessibility of the social infrastructure (education, sports, health). At the same time these areas need a strong incentive to encourage the local communities to take an active part in small projects (including infrastructure projects); the catalyst for such action should be the non-governmental sector. With projects delivered in these two complementary themes there will be a real opportunity for improving and sustaining the quality of life of the population.

Priority 10: Technical assistance.

Support for projects in the Pomorskie ROP management and implementation process, publicity and information and support for the process of project development and implementation.

6. Managing Authority: Council of the Pomorskie voivodship

Contact: Mr Jan Kozłowski, Marshal of the Pomorskie voivodship

Marshal's Office of the Pomorskie voivodship

Okopowa 21/27

PL-80-810 Gdańsk

Tel.: +48 58 32 61 500

Fax: +48 58 32 61 503

E-mail: marszalek@woj-pomorskie.pl

Operational programme 2007-2013: "Lubelskie"

1. Lubelskie Regional Operational Programme, Convergence objective, co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

2. In October 2007, the European Commission approved a regional development programme for the period 2007-2013, entitled: "Operational Programme for the Lubelskie Voivodeship". This programme involves Community support for Lubelskie within the framework of "Convergence" objective. The total budget of the programme is around EUR 1.36 billion and the Community assistance through the ERDF amounts to EUR 1.16 million (1.66 % of the total EU money invested in Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).

3. The purpose and aim of the EU investment

The Lubelskie Regional Operational Programme (ROP) is the region’s first ever large-scale, coordinated, multi-annual and financially stable programme of development measures.

Consequently, the Lubelskie ROP will become the region’s most important instrument for making structural changes happen. It will also be an important tool for the delivery of the revised Lisbon Strategy. The Lisbon objectives allocation in the Programme is more than 40.34% of its total budget.

The Strategic Goal of the Programme is: "Increasing the competitiveness of the region leading to faster economic growth, and an increase in employment taking into consideration natural and cultural qualities of the Region"

4. The expected impact of the investment

According to a macroeconomic modelling projection the programme is expected to deliver additional GDP of 2.2%. In addition around 7 400 new jobs will be created.

5. Priorities

The specific objectives of the programme are the following:

• increase of the region’s competitiveness by supporting development of modern economy sectors and stimulating innovativeness,
• improvement of investment conditions in the Voivodeship respecting the principle of sustainable development,
• increase attractiveness of the Lublin region as a place to live, work and rest.
• The programme is structured according to the following priorities:

Priority 1: Entrepreneurship and innovation

This priority will include aid schemes for enterprises. It will contribute to the growth of competitiveness and innovativeness of enterprises, especially in the SME sector, pursuing business activity and investing in the area of the Lubelskie Voivodeship. Through the support, the use of new technologies and solutions applied in the modern economy will increase – in both manufacturing and services. The support will contribute to the improvement of links between the research and business sectors, taking advantage of scientific achievements in practice.

Priority 2: Economic infrastructure

This priority will invest in the business environment to provide a better framework for regional economy to grow. It will focus on facilitating accessibility to external funding sources for enterprises (the region will consider utilisation of JEREMIE initiative for revolving schemes), increasing the use of regional potential of institutions of higher education and scientific units through initiating cooperation between R&D sector and SME sector; supporting business environment institutions through investments and consultancy. The other activity will be the economic promotion of enterprises in the Lubelskie Voivodeship, including facilitating the process of cooperation and networking with other undertakings.

Priority 3: Attractiveness of urban areas and investment areas

This priority will address the urban dimension of the regional strategy by investing in major growth centres in the region: cities like Lublin (the capital city), Biała Podlaska, Chełm, Zamość, and Puławy. It will include an integrated approach to revitalisation of degraded and problematic districts by equipping them with necessary economic and social functions. In addition, the priority will focus on increasing the investment attractiveness of the region through equipping investment areas with the necessary infrastructure to set up and pursue business activities.

Priority 4: Information Society

This priority will improve the use and take-up of the internet by providing the required IT infrastructure (local broadband networks, Public Access Points, informatisation of public offices) and will promote the concept of the information society by providing appropriate e-services (e.g. in administration, health protection, education, culture and sport).

Priority 5: Transport

This priority will aim at improvement of the internal and external transport accessibility of Lublin region. Road investments will mainly focus on improving strategic regional connections between growth centres, and will include mainly modernisation/improvement of road safety as the road network is adequate in this region. A regional airport near Lublin will be constructed. Regional rail transport will be improved, as will public transport in cities.

Priority 6: Environment and clean energy

This priority will aim at improving the condition of the natural environment, maintaining biodiversity and preventing degradation. The investments will range from waste management, water and wastewater installations, risk prevention measures, biodiversity measures to promoting the renewable energy sources.

Priority 7: Culture, tourism, and inter-regional co-operation

The objective is to increase the contribution of culture and tourism sectors in the economy of the Lubelskie region and reinforce international relations. It will be provided by increased accessibility to areas attractive for tourism, promotion of the Lubelskie region as a place of high attractiveness as regards culture and tourism, and by creating effective partner relationships within inter-regional cooperation (network and bilateral systems, including "Regions for Economic Change" initiative.

Priority 8: Social Infrastructure

This priority will aim at improvement of educational conditions and access to knowledge, medical services and social care. The aim is to ensure better education quality at all education levels and increased accessibility to educational and sports infrastructure to the inhabitants of the region. In the health sector, primary importance will be given to improved quality and accessibility of medical and social care services.

Priority 9: Technical assistance.

This priority will support projects in the area of support for the Lubelskie ROP management and implementation process, publicity and information and support for the process of project development and implementation.

6. Managing Authority: Council of the Lubelskie Voivodeship

Contact: Mr Jaroslaw Zdrojkowski, Marshal of the Lubelskie Voivodeship

Marshal's Office of the Lubelskie Voivodeship

Tel.: +48 81 4416600

Fax: +48 81 4416602

E-mail: marszalek@lubelskie.pl

Operational programme 2007-2013: "Silesia"

1. Silesian Regional Operational Programme, Convergence objective, co-funded by ERDF

2. On 4 September, the European Commission approved the Operational Programme for the Śląskie voivodship 2007-2013. This programme involves Community support for Śląskie within the framework of the "Convergence" objective. The total budget of the programme is EUR 2.02 billion and Community assistance through the ERDF amounts to EUR 1.71 billion (approximately 2.5 % of the total EU money invested in Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).

3. The purpose and aim of the EU investment

The Śląskie Regional Operational Programme (ROP) is the region’s first-ever large-scale, coordinated, multi-annual and financially stable programme of development measures.

The Śląskie programme will become the region’s most important instrument for making structural change happen. It will also be an important tool for the delivery of the revised Lisbon Strategy. The Lisbon objectives allocation in the Programme is more than 40% of its total budget. The Strategic Goal of the Programme is: "The stimulation of rapid growth along with the strengthening of the social, economic and spatial cohesion of the region".

4. The expected impact of the investment

According to a macroeconomic modelling projection, the Regional Operational Programme for Śląskie is expected to deliver additional GDP of 2.91% and about 9 000 new jobs, of which 4 500 will be for women. Over 1 300 small and medium enterprises (SME) will be supported (including micro-enterprises), and over 400 will receive support in the framework of innovation.

5. Priorities

Priority 1: Technical research and development (R&D), innovation and entrepreneurship

Supporting innovation and entrepreneurship centres, ensuring preparation of land for investment. Stimulating the development of a network of business environment institutions and instruments for external financing of entrepreneurship. Direct investment in small businesses to foster competitive micro-enterprises and SMEs, creating jobs. Strengthening the potential of technological centres and of research institutions providing innovation and technology transfer; stimulating and developing network and cooperation links between the R&D institutions and entrepreneurs; developing local and regional clusters.

Priority 2: Knowledge society

Providing fast, safe Internet access, as well as the development of electronic public services. Support for activities to create and reconstruct access networks. Creating public Internet access points. Developing public electronic services for the region's population (necessary for task performance within eGovernment); increasing the range of services provided with the use of modern communication and information technologies; creating management support systems for public administration.

Priority 3: Tourism

Investment in tourism infrastructure will contribute to the development of businesses offering a complete tourist service, including hotels, catering services and transport activities. This will stimulate the growth of new businesses and create new jobs. There will be support for actions to develop tourism-related infrastructure as well as tourist information systems and promotion.

Priority 4: Culture

Improving what the voivodship has to offer in cultural terms will contribute to improving its image both within the country and abroad. There will be support for projects improving the quality of cultural facilities, and consequently of the attractiveness of the region. There will be projects to restore historical buildings and convert vacant industrial buildings for cultural purposes.

Priority 5: Environment

Developing water and the sewage infrastructure. Support will also be given to waste management through the implementation of ecologically effective, comprehensive waste management systems. Improving air quality through investments in the energy efficiency of heating systems. Support for environmentally friendly, renewable energies. Improving collection and processing of information for developing environmental instruments. Activities to preserve, enrich and restore biodiversity; education and promotion of the need to safeguard this heritage.

Priority 6: Sustainable urban development

Silesia is the most urbanised region in Poland. The main objective of this priority is to increase the competitiveness of metropolitan centres by improving public space and transport, cultural, social, recreational and educational facilities, to enable the region to compete with others in Poland and Europe. Rehabilitating derelict areas in towns and cities will play a crucial role for urban development. There will be support for comprehensive projects to create and develop economic activity zones, particularly in former industrial areas.

Priority 7: Transport

Developing an effective, integrated, safer, environmentally-friendly, high-quality accessible transport system to increase numbers using public transport. Modernising and extending road systems to connect the regions's key road system with trans-European transport networks (TEN-T), national and international roads. There will also be projects related to traffic management systems.

Priority 8: Educational infrastructure

Development of higher education, educational and lifelong learning infrastructure. Strengthening the role of education at all levels, creation of the knowledge-based society and the competitive regional economy. Projects including higher education schools specialising in the fields of Regional Innovation Strategy will be prioritised.

Priority 9: Health and recreation

Improve the health of the region's inhabitants through investment in healthcare to boost the quality and availability of medical services, developing and modernizing inpatient and outpatient care infrastructure and equipment. Support for projects to set up or improve sports and recreational facilities accessible to all.

Priority 10: Technical assistance

Target processes related to the preparation, management, monitoring, appraisal, control and evaluation of the programme to increase administrative capacity in implementing funds; information and promotion.

6. Managing Authority: Śląskie region Management Board

Contact details:

Mr Janusz Moszyński, Marshal of the Slaskie voivodship

Marshal's Office of the Slaskie voivodship

ul. Ligonia 46

PL- 40-037 Katowice

Tel.: +48 (32) 20 78 290

Fax: +48 (32) 25 19 999

E-mail: marszal@silesia-region.pl

Operational programme 2007-2013: "Warminsko-Mazurskie"

1. Warminsko-Mazurskie Regional Operational Programme, Convergence objective, co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

2. On 4 October 2007 October, the European Commission approved the regional operational programme for the Warminsko-Mazurskie region in Poland for the period 2007-2013. This programme involves Community support for Warminsko-Mazurskie within the framework of the "Convergence" objective. The total budget for the programme is € 1.2 billion and Community investment through the ERDF amounts to € 1.03 billion (approximately 1.6 % of the total EU money to be spent in Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).

3. The purpose and aim of the EU investment

The Warminsko-Mazurskie Regional Operational Programme (ROP) is the region’s first ever large-scale, coordinated, multi-annual and financially stable programme of development measures. Its strategic goal is to improve the region’s competitiveness, social cohesion, accessibility and to release its economic, tourism and cultural potential while ensuring secure sustainable use of its environment. Consequently, the Warminsko-Mazurskie ROP will become the region’s most important instrument for making structural changes happen. It will also be an important tool for the delivery of the revised Lisbon Strategy. The Lisbon objectives allocation in the Programme is 37% of its ERDF budget.

4. The expected impact of the investment

The programme will ensure the creation of more than 4700 new jobs, of which half will be for women. Over 765 small and medium size enterprises (SME) will be supported in the framework of the programme (including micro-enterprises and innovative ones). Around 300 000 persons will receive access to broadband internet (70 000 in rural areas). Regarding water and waste treatment, more than 40 000 people will benefit from being connected to 390 km of sewer systems and 19 000 to 110 km of water systems to be built with the support of the Programme. Accessibility to the region will be improved thanks to a regional airport, and the modernisation of 304 km of roads and 54 km of railways.

5. Priorities

The programme is structured according to the following priorities:

Priority 1: Entrepreneurship

This will contribute significantly to improving Warminsko-Mazurskie's competitiveness. Investment in business advisory support and dissemination and implementation of new technologies, innovation and achievements of R&D sector will have a significant influence on the competitiveness of enterprises, products and services. As the development potential of the voivodship is embedded in environmental technologies, food processing and construction technologies, those sectors will be of prime concern (benefiting also from the Development of Eastern Poland OP and Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 for Poland). Setting up and strengthening cooperation links within individual industry sectors (clusters development) as well as between business and science research will also be important in boosting competitiveness.

Priority 2: Tourism

Tourism plays a key role in the Warminsko-Mazurskie voivodship. This priority will offer support to investments related to development of tourism resources, including accommodation and catering facilities, business tourism, development of spa and recreational functions, as well as high quality tourism services. This should improve the attractiveness of the region and increase the number of tourists staying in the region. Projects to improve the attractiveness of the region throughout the year, not just the high season, will be of particular importance.

Priority 3: Social infrastructure

The region has features that could make it into an attractive place for the location of modern and dynamic enterprises. Such investment could boost local demand and tax revenues. However, social services need to be improved to justify and facilitate such decisions. This priority covers investment in health and educational services with high added value. Investments in educational infrastructure are needed to secure the continuous supply of skilled human resources to match the needs of a growing regional economy – ranging from middle-level (mainly for the tourism sector services) to higher-level for high quality posts created by modern and knowledge-based sectors.

Priority 4: Development, restructuring and revitalization of towns

This priority will aim to release the economic potential of run-down and problematic urban areas, increasing their attractiveness for investments and business activities while improving the overall living conditions of their inhabitants. The revitalisation measures will be to ensure sustainable development, introduce economic revival, restoring spatial order and re-establishing social ties. Projects will implement processes making urban areas able to function efficiently again, by changing their structure, giving new functions, and mobilising space through qualitative changes.

Priority 5: Regional and local transport infrastructure

The peripheral location and poor accessibility of the Warminsko-Mazurskie region are among the major weaknesses hindering its development and growth. Investment in transport infrastructure and networks is crucial. It will increase the internal and external territorial cohesion of the region, particularly by linking domestic and external growth poles. Improving transport accessibility will result in the development of manufacturing and service companies, higher investment inflows and more tourism. This will create jobs. Renovating the abandoned regional airport in Szymany is expected to open Warminsko-Mazurskie region up to the outside world.

Priority 6: Natural environment

The natural environment is one of the strategic assets of the Warminsko-Mazurskie voivodship. Investments related to environment protection are crucial to maintain and increase the region's attractiveness for tourism, spa function as well as business location of which the environment is a decisive factor. The region faces the contradiction between economic development and the objectives of protecting the environment. This priority stipulates support for investment projects preventing damage to both land and waters, with minimum interference in the environment. Protecting one of the major potential assets of the voivodship – the Great Mazury Lakes – is particularly important when locating any new activity in the region.

Priority 7: Information society infrastructure

Support for projects related to IT infrastructure is necessary to create a knowledge-based society and economy. ICT is one of the most important factors of growth and productivity as well as fundamental to increase the competitiveness and development of a region. Making information technology more widely available for both business and personal use can help to counter social exclusion and depopulation due to the peripheral location of Warminsko-Mazurskie. This priority axis will help to boost investments in ICT infrastructure, promotion of common use of ICT tools and secure availability of technologies. Actions taken in this field will also contribute to strengthening territorial and social cohesion of the region. There will also be complementary measures to this end in the operational programme entitled "Development of Eastern Poland".

Priority 8: Technical assistance

Effective use of Structural Funds depends to a large extent on the administrative capacities of institutions participating in implementation of operational programmes. For the programming period 2007-2013, the institutions involved in structural funds implementation at regional level were charged with more responsibilities than in the years 2004-2006. Efficient absorption of EU funds allocated to the voivodship will require necessary support for administration to ensure effective management, implementation, monitoring, control, audit, evaluation processes and communication activities. An increase of public awareness regarding the possibilities of using European Funds in the region and creating a positive image among potential beneficiaries are of prime concern.

6. Managing Authority: Marshal's Office of the Warminsko-Mazurskie voivodship

Contact: Mr Jacek Protas

Marshal of Warmińsko-Mazurskie Region

Marshal's Office of Warmińsko-Mazurskie Region

Ul.Emilii Plater 1

PL - 10-562 Olsztyn

Tel. +48 89 521 91 00

Fax. +48 89 521 91 09

Email: marszalek@warmia.mazury.pl

Operational programme 2007-2013: "Zachodniopomorskie"

1. Zachodniopomorskie Regional Operational Programme, Convergence objective, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

2. The European Commission approved on 11 October 2007 a regional development programme in the Zachodniopomorskie region in Poland for the period 2007-2013, entitled the Regional Operational Programme for the Zachodniopomorskie voivodship. This programme involves Community support for Zachodniopomorskie within the framework of "Convergence" objective. The total budget of the programme is € 982.8 million and Community assistance through the ERDF amounts to € 835.4 million (approximately 1.25 % of the total EU money invested in Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).

3. The purpose and aim of the EU investment

The Zachodniopomorskie ROP will become the region’s most important instrument for making structural changes happen. It will also be an important tool for the delivery of the revised Lisbon Strategy. The Lisbon objectives allocation in the Programme is 40% of its total budget.

The Strategic Goal of the Programme is the development of the voivodship to promote greater economic competitiveness, spatial and social cohesion, and improvements in quality of life.

4. The expected impact of the investment

According to the macroeconomic modelling projection, the Regional Operational Programme for Zachodniopomorskie is expected to deliver additional GDP growth of 1.77% and over 4 500 new jobs. Over 1300 jobs will be created in SMEs.

5. Priorities

The specific objectives of the programme are the following:

1. Increase of innovation and management effectiveness.

2. Improving attractiveness to investors and the territorial cohesion of the voivodship.

3. Improving living conditions through the preservation and protection of the natural environment and better social conditions in the voivodship.

The programme is structured according to the following priorities:

Priority 1: Economy – Innovation – Technology

This priority includes support for activities directed at the development of companies of the SME sector and support for the internationalization process of companies. Measures will be undertaken aiming at the creation of investment zones to make the region more attractive to investors. There will also be implementation of operations aimed at increasing the quality and availability of support instruments offered by institutions of the business environment. Further measures will concern ensuring easier access to guarantees and capital for micro, small and medium- sized businesses as well as for innovative companies with a high technological potential. The programme anticipates the creation of regional technology transfer centres and the expansion of computer network systems. Support will be given to projects improving the quality of R&D infrastructure. The main objective is to achieve a higher level of economic competitiveness and innovation in the region.

Priority 2: Development of transport and energy infrastructure

Support will be given to projects connected with the construction, rebuilding, and renovation of regional, county and communal roads, in accordance with the ‘Programme of investment projects on the Zachodniopomorskie voivodship roads 2007-2013’, In parallel, the improvement of infrastructure associated with road safety will be ensured. The programme also anticipates the modernization of regional railway lines, airport infrastructure and support for investment in port infrastructure. Support will also be given to investment in the expansion of local power networks and to improved energy supply to inhabitants where necessary.

Priority 3: Development of the information society

Comprehensive expansion and restructuring of the infrastructure of basic telecommunication networks, development of local access networks as well as alternative channels ensuring public broadband access to electronic services and to the internet. The new infrastructure should complete that already in existence, particularly in areas with low saturation. These investments will ensure broader access to Internet, contribute to increased competitiveness on the regional IT market, and counteract marginalisation of areas currently without the appropriate infrastructure.

Priority 4: Infrastructure of environmental protection

Investments in water, sewage and waste management. Projects to improve air quality, including investing in systems, infrastructures, facilities and technologies to reduce gas and dust pollution. Support will also be given to investments to mitigate environmental risks, including flood and fire protection measures. On investment in renewable sources of energy, projects will focus on installing and modernising infrastructure for producing and transmitting energy from renewable sources, in particular solar panels, photovoltaic panels, wind power plants, heat pumps, small hydropower plants, geothermal plants, as well as facilities for incinerating biomass. An increase in active nature protection will be achieved through measures connected with the protection of habitats and the preservation of biodiversity.

Priority 5: Tourism, culture and revitalisation

Support for projects connected with the construction and expansion of tourism infrastructure as well as of infrastructure related to the development of active forms of tourism, additional tourist services and accommodation facilities. Development of a tourist and culture information network so that it forms an integrated regional tourist information system for the entire voivodship. Development of a coherent system for tourism and culture promotion of the region in Poland and abroad. Increasing participation of inhabitants in culture will be achieved through upgrading and building of cultural establishments in the region.

Revitalisation will be treated as a comprehensive programme of upgrading infrastructure and improving the safety of public spaces. Support for complex projects to regenerate and protect monuments; revitalisation of historical industrial and post-military facilities together with their surroundings, in combination with economic and social development of the areas concerned.

Priority 6: Development of metropolitan functions

Support for the Szczecin Metropolitan area will aim to improve its spatial cohesion. Projects will aim at modernising and building public transport infrastructure, increasing its capacity and improving safety. Support will also be given to revitalisation projects, supported only under local integrated programmes, covering comprehensive revitalisation of dilapidated areas (including post-industrial and post-military sites). It also involves creating high quality public spaces in cities. Support for projects focusing on infrastructure related to developing cultural, sport, tourist and recreation functions of metropolitan nature. Projects to complete public service infrastructure of metropolitan importance.

Priority 7: Development of social infrastructure and health care

Support for projects improving conditions for education, in particular vocational and technical education. Supported regional projects will cover building, extending and providing equipment for educational infrastructure. Support for projects improving the state of social and leisure infrastructure, increasing accessibility of such infrastructure to children and youth. Under the specific aim of improving quality and accessibility to health care institutions, projects supported will cover building and modernising of health care infrastructure, purchasing medical equipment and adjusting facilities to needs of patients, in particular disabled people.

Priority 8: Technical assistance

Processes related to the preparation, management, monitoring, appraisal, control and evaluation of the realization of the ROP that are to increase the administrative capacity of fund implementation, as well as of information and promotion of the Programme.

7. Managing Authority: Zachodniopomorskie region Management Board

Contact details:

Mr Norbert Obrycki, Marshal of the Zachodniopomorskie voivodship

Marshal's Office of the Zachodniopomorskie voivodship

ul. Korsarzy 34

70-540 Szczecin

Operational programme 2007-2013: "Infrastructure and Environment"

1. Name of the programme

Infrastructure and Environment Operational Programme for Community assistance for Poland within the framework of the "Convergence" objective, co-funded by the Cohesion Fund and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

2. Overview

On 7 December 2007 the European Commission approved an operational programme in Poland for the period 2007-2013, entitled the "Infrastructure and Environment Operational Programme". This programme involves Community support for Poland within the framework of the "Convergence" objective. The total budget of the programme is € 37.56 billion. The Community assistance amounts to € 22.18 billion from the Cohesion Fund and € 5.74 billion from the ERDF. It is the biggest Operational Programme in Poland (the EU contribution is approximately 41% of the total EU support for Poland under Cohesion policy 2007-2013). This is also the biggest-ever operational programme in the whole of the European Union.

3. Purpose and aim of the programme

Development difficulties in Poland are to a great extent caused by the degradation or by the lack of infrastructure. In order to increase the country's competitiveness and to attract investors, these obstacles have to be overcome. The Infrastructure and Environment Operational Programme will serve this objective by supporting the development of technical infrastructure, and simultaneously protecting and improving the condition of the natural environment and health as well as preserving cultural identity and developing territorial cohesion. This programme is complementary to other regional programmes.

The Infrastructure and Environment Programme is also an important instrument for implementation of the renewed Lisbon Strategy (Lisbon-related expenditure constitutes over 66% of the EU contribution).

4. Expected impact of the investments

In the area of transport, it is expected that 636 km of motorways and over 2219 km of expressways will be constructed, 1566 km of railway lines will be modernized and 8 main airports will be expanded. As regards environmental investments, 318 waste-water treatment plants should be built or modernized, 9 000 km of sewerage network will be constructed or reconstructed and 44 waste management plants will be modernised or constructed. The investments in the energy sector should result in 690 MW of additional capacity in energy plants using renewable energy sources. The oil and gas pipeline networks will be significantly expanded: 1000 km of gas transfer pipelines, 4900 km gas distribution pipelines and 450 km of oil pipelines will be built. Additionally, 600 km of electro-power transfer lines will be added to the network. As regards social infrastructure, the programme should result in e.g. the construction or renovation of 120 educational institutions, 31 cultural institutions, modernisation of 160 health care centres and the purchase of 600 ambulances.

5. Priorities

Priority 1: Water and sewage management – Cohesion Fund

Development of water and sewage infrastructure to agglomerations above 15 thousand population equivalent. Support will also be provided to agglomerations between 2,000-15,000 population equivalent. In accordance with the objectives of the National Programme of Municipal Sewage Treatment, Poland should construct, expand or modernise sewage treatment plants in 318 agglomerations above 15,000 population equivalent. The expansion or modernisation of the sanitary sewage system network in 459 agglomerations, with a total length of 20 000 km, is also necessary.

Priority 2: Waste management and the protection of the earth – Cohesion Fund

Increasing economic benefits by reducing the amount of municipal waste disposal, the rehabilitation of degraded areas and the protection of sea coasts. As concerns waste management, investments related to the prevention and reduction of municipal waste production, the introduction of recycling technologies and technologies for the final neutralisation of municipal waste as well as the elimination of hazards resulting from waste disposal and the rehabilitation of degraded areas for environmental purposes.

Priority 3: Resource management and counteracting environmental risks – Cohesion Fund

Provide an appropriate amount of water resources for the population and the country’s economy as well as to minimise the negative effects of natural disasters and serious accidents. Analysis of the environment sector shows an insufficient level of water retention as compared to the potential and a high risk concerning the poor condition of technical premises related to water retention and flood protection. The programme will renovate and modernise water management systems (for instance, construction of new small retention facilities and increasing natural retention in river valleys and marshy areas).

Priority 4: Initiatives aimed at adjusting enterprises to the requirements of environmental protection – ERDF

Reduce the negative effects of existing industrial activities on the environment and adjust enterprises to the requirements of Community law. Investment and non – investment (which do not require infrastructural investment) undertakings. For non- investment projects, support will be granted to projects which implement environmental management systems (e.g. carrying out necessary audits to obtain certificates) and for obtaining eco-labels for products. Support will be given to projects of middle and large enterprises which reduce the amount of pollution emitted into the atmosphere or discharged with sewage and the amount of waste production, as well as increasing the amount of recyclable waste.

Priority 5: Environment protection and the promotion of ecological habits – ERDF

Reduce the degradation of the natural environment and the loss of resources for biodiversity. Active environmental protection on protected areas in Poland. Initiatives aimed at preserving endangered species and the genetic variety of flora, fauna and fungi, as well as restoring ecological corridors to a passable condition to enable the proper functioning of the Natura 2000 network. Initiatives concerning the promotion of social habits supporting environmental protection and the conservation of nature, including the preservation of biological variety, landscape conservation and the development of pro-ecological habits through widely understood ecological education.

Priority 6: TEN-T road and air transport network – Cohesion Fund

Increase Poland’s transport accessibility and improve interregional connections by developing the road and air TEN-T network; improving transport connections between the main cities of eastern Poland and other parts of the country by developing the road network in the eastern regions. Construction of sections of motorways and expressways connecting the biggest agglomerations, the construction of bypasses and the reconstruction of sections of other national roads included in the TEN-T network.

Priority 7: Environment-friendly transport – Cohesion Fund

Increase the ratio of alternatives to road transport in the overall passenger and cargo transport picture (railway transport, sea transport, public transport in metropolitan areas, multimodal transport, inland waterways) This will result in a better balance of the transport system, decrease the negative effects of transport on the environment and limit traffic congestion.

Priority 8: Transport safety and national transport networks – ERDF

Improving the safety level of roads will include, on the one hand, modernising the infrastructure of national roads (increasing capacity) or providing equipment to improve road safety and, on the other hand, changing the attitude and behaviour of all persons involved in road traffic. Intelligent Transport Systems will be developed . . Construction and modernisation of sea and river canals along with an extension of the existing infrastructure of inland waterways. .

Priority 9: Environment-friendly energy infrastructure and energy efficiency – Cohesion Fund

Improve security of supply and limit the negative effects of climate change. Support from the Cohesion Fund will be granted for initiatives aimed at increasing the share of primary energy use in the energy sector (i.e. increasing the efficiency of production and decreasing losses in the process of transmission and distribution of energy). Investments will target decreasing the energy intensity of the public sector, as well as increasing the amount of energy produced from renewable sources, including biomass, wind, solar and geothermal energy.

Priority 10: Energy security, including the diversification of energy sources – ERDF

Ensuring security of supply in the energy sector is a crucial target at EU and national level. This is why it will be possible in the 2007-2013 programming period to support, in the case of market failure, investments targeting better security of supply in the area of traditional energy sources. Investments increasing security of supply both in traditional and renewable energy sources. Therefore gas and oil transmission pipelines as well as gas reservoirs will be supported. Support will also be given to strategic cross border electricity connections. It will also be possible to develop the renewable energies industry.

Priority 11 Culture and cultural heritage – ERDF

Use Poland's potential in culture and cultural heritage, renowned throughout Europe and the world, to increase the country's attractiveness. Achieving the detailed objectives of the priority means completing supra-regional projects as a part of protecting the cultural heritage. It will also mean building, expanding and redeveloping cultural infrastructure with supra-regional importance as well as art education. Projects devoted to the protection and restoration of monuments of supra-regional importance, including those on the UNESCO World Heritage List or recognised as Historic Monuments by the President of Poland. Renovation, restoration, regeneration and protection of objects included in the register of monuments, as well as complexes with their surroundings.

Priority 12 Health, safety and improvement of health protection system – ERDF

Initiatives aimed at keeping the workforce in good health. Improving the health of society is intended to make sure that its basic capabilities are activated and better used, which leads to an increase in the number of economically active persons in the labour market. A significant part of increasing the health security of the Polish workforce is the developing of healthcare infrastructure, medical equipment supply standards and improving the efficiency of emergency actions in health-threatening situations. Achieving an integrated system of Emergency Medical Services with a common communications network, rescue procedures and medical equipment.

Priority 13 Higher education infrastructure – ERDF

Develop modern academic centres that mainly educate specialists in new technologies. Projects to be supported shall contribute to the development of international cooperation between higher education institutions, including organising international studies as well as establishing contact networks and links between professionals in strategic fields. Comprehensive infrastructural investments (construction, reconstruction, modernisation, equipment) essential to conduct higher education, mainly in the sciences as well as research and development activity connected with teaching. The development of Information and Communication technologies (ICT) which will be used in the teaching process will also be supported.

Priority 14 Technical assistance – ERDF and Priority 15 Technical assistance – Cohesion Fund

Efficient and effective use of resources from the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment. This will be achieved by providing support for programme management, information and promotion, and programme monitoring and evaluation.

6. Managing Authority: Ministry of Regional Development
Contact: Ms Monika Pałasz
Director
Department for the Management Coordination of Infrastructural Programmes
Ministry of Regional Development
ul. Wspólna 2/4
00-926 Warsaw
Poland

7. Title: Infrastructure and Environment Operational Programme for Community assistance from the European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund under the Convergence objective in Poland
Intervention type: Operational Programme
CCI No.: 2007PL161PO002
No. of decision: C/2007/6321
Final approval date: 7 December 2007

Operational programme 2007-13: Lubuskie

1. Name of the programme

"Lubuskie Regional Operational Programme" - Programme under the Convergence Objective, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)[ Figures and graphics available in PDF and WORD PROCESSED ]

2. Overview

On 1 October 2007, the European Commission approved a Regional Operational Programme for the region of Lubuskie in Poland for the period 2007-13. The Operational Programme falls within the framework laid out for the Convergence Objective and has a total budget of around €589 million. Community assistance through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounts to about €439 million, approximately 0.7% of the total EU investment earmarked for Poland under Cohesion Policy for 2007-13.

3. Aim and purpose of the programme

The Lubuskie Regional Operational Programme for 2007-2013 is the region’s first ever large-scale, coordinated, multi-annual set of measures to encourage development.

The main goal of the Lubuskie Regional Operational Programme is to create opportunities to increase the competitiveness of the region and prevent the exclusion of certain areas (including rural areas). The Operational Programme will become the region’s most important instrument for effecting structural changes and enhancing regional cohesion.

The programme will also be an important tool for achieving the objectives laid down in the revised Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs, as it allocates some €164 million to this end, almost 28% of the total budget.

4. Expected impact of investments

According to a macroeconomic modelling projection, the programme is expected to deliver an additional Gross Domestic Project (GDP) of 3.7% and over 3 220 new jobs. About 400 projects linked to direct investment aid for small and medium sized enterprises (SME) will be financed under the programme. An additional 10 000 people will receive access to broadband internet.

5. Priorities

Specific objectives of the Lubuskie Regional Operational Programme include:

• enhanced regional competitiveness;
• economic development;
• maintenance of high ecological standards;
• better, safer living conditions;
• development of tourism and cultural infrastructure.

Priority 1: Development of infrastructure to enhance competitiveness of the region [33.4% of total funding]

Reduction of infrastructural barriers hampering regional economic development, improving accessibility to the region and its attractiveness to potential investors. Development of transport infrastructure, creation of economic activity areas, development of the information society.

Expansion and upgrading of road transport infrastructure will result in higher profitability for investments in Lubuskie, increase the number of attractive areas for investment and boost public transport. The development of road connections between existing and planned sections of the motorway in Lubuskie will serve to implement Community guidelines concerning the development of trans-European transport networks (TEN-T).

Priority 2: Stimulating investment growth in enterprises and strengthening innovation potential [22.8% of total funding]

Creating strong and stable small and medium sized enterprises (SME) through direct and indirect support measures, e.g investment grants, improved accessibility to capital (via financial instruments offered by business support institutions), facilitating the transfer of innovative and state-of-the-art solutions from the academic to the business sphere. Entrepreneurs will be encouraged to use environmentally-friendly processes and products. These activities will contribute to removing barriers which currently hamper the development of Lubuskie’s business sector and will trigger changes to generate higher value-added.

Priority 3: Protection and management of the resources of the natural environment [15.9% of total funding]

Water and waste water management, production of environmentally friendly energy, the upgrading of heat distribution networks and waste management. These activities should reduce the adverse impact of human activity on the environment. Interventions in the renewable energy sector will improve power supply security and streamline energy efficiency.

Priority 4: Development and modernisation of social infrastructure/facilities [16.7% of total funding]

Raise standards of living for Lubuskie’s inhabitants, foster businesses potential. Activities will focus on:

• reviving deprived areas, including those with residential developments;
• providing villages and rural towns with basic facilities such as healthcare (both establishments and improved access), education and childcare facilities.

Priority 5: Development and modernisation of tourism and culture infrastructure [8.1% of total funding]

Enhance the competitiveness of regional tourism, maintain cultural heritage sites. Boost tourism and culture as a factor in stimulating economic and social development. This will enhance the region’s attractiveness on both the domestic and international markets.

Priority axis 6: Technical assistance [3.0% of total funding]

Technical assistance will be used to implement the programme. It covers administration, monitoring, evaluation and control.

6. Managing Authority: Lubuskie Region Management Board – Zielona Góra, Poland

Contact details:

Krzysztof Szymański
Marszałek Województwa Lubuskiego
ul. Podgórna 7

PL- 65-057 Zielona Góra
Telephone: +48 684 565 274
Fax: +48 684 565 296
E-mail: gabinet@um.lubuski.pl

Website: http://www.lubuskie.pl

- Home

- Bulgaria

- Czech-Rebulic

- Denmark

- Germany

- Estonia

- Greece

- Spain

- France

- Ireland

- Italy

- Cyprus

- Latvia

- Lithuania

- Malta

- Netherlands

- Austria

- Poland

- Portugal

- Romania

- Slovenia

- Slovakia

- Finland

- Sweden

- United Kingdom