2. „The support for Poland from EU Funds in the period 2007-13” European study visit 7-11 May 2012 Karmøy/Haugesund - NORWAY

3. Since Poland joined EU in 2004, it has received considerable sums of money in form of EU funds. Poland has already used over 47 billion euro. But this sum is only a part of 71 billion euro which has already been submitted from the 2007-13 EU funds to more than 69 thousand accepted projects. This considerable support for Polish economy, this real money, is "working" on the market because there are projects that either have already been completed or are in progress.

4. The signed agreements cover 74 % of the pool of EU funds for the period 2007-13, around 25 billion euro remain to be used. The final settlement should be submitted until the end of 2015.

5. Efficiency in particular Desirability and efficiency of support are the key to success. They are far more important than the rate of funds used. European funds should be directed where they will bring the most positive effect. The institution designated to monitor the effects of the projects is in Poland the Ministry of Regional Development.

6. This Ministry has recently informed that on the basis of the already signed agreements the following aims have been or will be achieved:  253 thousand new workplaces have been created;  124 thousand individuals have started their own business activity;  1954 full-time jobs in research and development (R&D) sector;  434 R&D centers supported by the R&D infrastructure;  7345 supported innovative undertakings;  71 thousands of new or improved products and services;  171 business support institutions co-financed by EU;  9712 kilometers of roads built or renovated;  5063 kilometers built or modernized water-pipe lines.

7. EXAMPLES of PROJECTS: Transport

8. Innovations: aviation

9. Innovations: medical services

10. Innovations: power engineering

11. Innovations: Science

12. Protection of cultural heritage Subsidy for the National Film Archive Grant: 3,5 mln euro With this grant all the collection of pre-war films will be digitally reconstructed and eternally protected.

13. Enterprise Program: Start with the funds! Grant: up to 10 thousand euro for a particular beneficiary 124 000 people have already started their own business activity thanks to capital from this program.

14. Cross-border cooperation Tourism on the boundary river Odra Grant: 6 mln euro Project: Poland – Germany The project includes renovation of ports in several towns on both the Polish and the German sides, purchase of two cruise ships and organization of joint tourism initiatives activating tourism in the area of the central Odra.

15. Thank you for attention