Regionalny Program Operacyjny Województwa Łódzkiego na lata 2007-2013 w relacjach metropolia-region w warunkach kryzysu gospodarczego

The statistical data of international institutions indicate that Poland is the only European country enjoying economic growth in 2009. Since the beginning of 2008 the GDP of the EU was systematically falling down, while in Poland the fall of only 0,1% percentage change on previous year) was observed only in the Q4 of 2008. In 2009 Poland as the only EU Member State reached the positive economic growth (1.7% according to Eurostat data), although individual Polish regions differed in terms of the key socio-economic indicators for 2009. On of the key factors stabilizing the economy and preventing recession – alongside relatively limited openness of the economy, large and relatively stable internal market, moderate public debt and moderate level of business sector debt – was among others inflow of EU funding, which enabled increase of the volume of private and public investment co-financed from EU sources. Utilization of funds varies among Polish regions, depending on the degree of compatibility of regional allocations with the expectations of recipients, on the level of activeness of target groups and in particular on the institutional capacities for EU funding operations. The article discusses the assessment of the level of structural funds utilization by Polish regions in the conditions of lowering dynamics of economic growth, with particular focus on Łódź Voivodship, for which results are presented in relations between metropolis and region.