The European Union instruments stimulating the local development in the current Financial Perspective

Abstract

The European Union legislator introduced a new instrument to support the local development which is addressed mostly at communes (gminy) and districts (powiaty). That development should focus on areas below the regional level. It shall be developed and implemented by representatives of public authorities, local social and business partners as well as residents. The implementation of this development objectives shall be based on an integrated and multi-sectoral local strategies. The incomes received by territorial public-law unions and other groups (which represent the interests of local communities, to implement the programmes supported by the European Structural and Investment Funds) may stimulate the development of certain areas and goals set out by those entities. Local communities are to decide on expending those measures to a much wider extent than in case of other instruments. Polish legal regulations related to local development strategies have been harmonized with the Communities’ rules and procedures. They increase the chances of communes and districts to accelerate the restructuring of the local economy, to enhance the innovativeness of local technologies, to strengthen the competitiveness of local government units.