Regional policy in Poland and its importance for development policy

The subject of the article is regional policy in Poland conducted according to the principles governing the European Union cohesion policy. The author addresses especially the key issues of regional policy, defines its objectives and instruments as well as the main models. The discussion provides the background for the subsequent analysis of the current and future shape of regional policy implemented in Poland. The aim of the article is cognitive and pointing to the changes of directions and character of activities aiming at working out the proper development strategy for Poland, in compliance with the European Union directives but also meeting the needs of regions on different levels. Regional policy currently pursued in Poland and based on the idea of the European Union cohesion policy aims at creating the system of planning and management of spatial management integrated with the main tendency of socioeconomic planning. The condition enabling conscious space development is possessing and using appropriate legislative, administrative, organizational, promotional, information and other instruments. Polands regional policy conducted within the frame of common cohesion policy and targeting common objectives is financially supported by the EU funds and financial means from the Cohesion Fund. The shape of regional policy in Poland is determined by the striving to identify strong regions which would be able to push the economic development of the country strengthening at the same time less innovative regions. Polish regional policy included in the EU development programmes is using the instruments adjusted to the individual properties of regions, where the leading player is a region characterized by a considerable autonomy in this respect affecting the way in which the existing pro-development possibilities are used. Such solution of the planning and implementation of development policy draws Poland closer to contemporary concepts of regional development theory, showing the region as an autonomous, socio-economic system, creating a vision of development and evaluated for its effectiveness. The future shape of Polish regional policy will depend on such concepts which emphasize the role of regions, ascribing them a growing importance in the national development policy.