The impact of regional development funds on the operations of enterprises in West Pomerania (West Pomeranian voivodeship)

The development of any region is a complex phenomenon that depends on various factors, including a financial infrastructure that supports enterprises and other business entities. Issues related to the impact of financial institutions on economic development are often addressed in the academic literature. Some researchers claim that the development of financial institutions and instruments leads to the development of the entire country, indicating a close correlation between them. Others confirm this interdependence; however, they argue that it is non-linear and it depends on other factors, such as the country’s level of economic development, as well as how advanced its financial infrastructure is. Few studies have addressed the impact of regional financial institutions on regional development, and although macroscale studies have been implemented on the micro-level, they don’t necessarily reflect any interdependencies. Regional financial infrastructure plays an important role in regional development, and the Regional Development Funds (RDFs) that have recently appeared in some voivodeships confirm this interdependency. These institutions are likely to become integrators and stimulators of regional financial markets, and RDFs can become entities that manage capital that can be appreciated in many banks and exert a tangible effect on regional financial policies. At the same time, they will level any market flaws in terms of access to capital by micro-, small, and medium enterprises, as well as running growth-promoting policies tailored to the specific regional needs.