ABSORPTION OF 2007–2013 EU FUNDING FOR UTILIZATION OF NATURAL ASSETS IN RURAL AREAS IN POLAND

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to identify the share of rural areas in the absorption of EU funding available for the purposes that are thematically related to natural assets in Poland in 2007–2013. Rural communes and small towns situated beyond the sphere of influence of the agglomeration were classified as rural areas. The paper is based on the data disseminated by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development of the Republic of Poland. Findings presented in this paper show that rural areas were the most significant beneficiaries of the EU funds allocated for utilization of natural assets on a national scale, although some regional differences were also noted. Rural beneficiaries prevailed in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie and Pomorskie Voivodships, like in the whole of Poland, while in the Dolnośląskie Voivodship their share in utilization of the EU funding allocated for natural assets was the lowest. Financial resources available from the EU funds provided support for rural areas in the field of promotion of the regions, creation of new tourism products and reconstruction of neglected natural and cultural objects. The projects implemented in these regions combined natural, cultural, tourism and educational contents.

Keywords: EU structural funds, natural assets, Poland, rural areas.

Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2015.115