The European Social Fund aims to prevent and combat unemployment, as well as developing human resources and promoting integration into the labour market.

ESF : fields of application

• Occupational integration of the long-term unemployed

• Occupational integration of young unemployed persons

• Occupational integration of persons excluded from the labour market

• Promoting equal opportunities for all in accessing the labour market, through the EQUAL Initiative

• Specific actions to improve women’s access to the labour market

• Improving education and training systems

• Promoting a skilled workforce

• Boosting human potential in the field of research and development.

Further information on the ESF

In order for the Member States of the European Union to use European Social Fund it was necessary to create a series of documents. The most important was Sectoral Operational Programme Human Resources Development. Its provisions are detailed in the Programme Complement.

The main objective of SOP HRD is:
“the development of an open, knowledge-based society through provision of conditions facilitating human resources development by gaining education, undergoing training and performing work”.

The implementation of this objective will contribute to raising the competitiveness of economy based on knowledge and entrepreneurship. A harmonious development of the economy is to ensure an increase of employment and achievement of social, economic and space cohesion with the European Union on the regional and national levels.

SOP HRD objectives are implemented by three Priorities:

• Priority 1: Active labour market and professional and social inclusion policy
  The objective of this Priority is to strengthen the potential of the institutional servicing of employment services clients, social assistance and other institutions operating for the labour market. It is supposed to serve also the unemployed persons and persons from high-risk groups. Providing equal opportunities to women in the access to the labour market and employment is another objective of this Priority.

• Priority 2: Development of knowledge-based society
  Educational system should allow persons of all ages to gain skill which help them function on the labour market. Therefore the objective of this Priority is to broaden the access to education and improvement of its level. It is also important to include information and communication technology in the process of education. Other objectives of the priority are: improvement of employees’ qualifications, promoting education in the area of entrepreneurship and the promotion of flexible forms of work. This Priority is aimed to improve the work quality of public administration through a provision of appropriate training.

• Priority 3: Technical assistance
  The objective of this Priority is to assist institutions responsible for the implementation of SOP HRD, so that they utilize EU funds in an effective manner and in accordance with the Community policies.

For further information on EFS and SPO HRD, please visit:
http://www.funduszestrukturalne.gov.pl/English/European+Social+Fund/
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/funds/prord/prords/prdsb_en.htm

The ERDF was created in 1975. It aims to reduce regional disparities in the Union, while at the same time encouraging the development and conversion of regions.
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) finances measures in the two Objectives supporting designated areas and regions. These are as follows:

• Objective 1 : Development and structural adjustment of regions whose development is lagging behind

• Objective 2 : Economic and social conversion of areas facing structural difficulties

• Throughout the EU territory: Economic and social regeneration of depressed urban areas, through the Urban initiative

• Support for cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation, through the Interreg III initiative

European Regional Development Fund in Poland provides financing for four operational programmes:

IROP

The Integrated Regional Operational Programme (IROP) is one of seven operational programmes to be used in implementing the 2004-2006 National Development Plan/ Community Support Framework (NDP/CSF). The programme develops NDP goals by setting out priorities, trends and amount of funds for implementing the State’s regional development policy, to be disbursed in parallel with structural funds in the initial period of Poland’s membership in the European Union.

The main goal of the IROP:
“to create the conditions for the increase of competitiveness of the regions and prevention of the marginalization of some areas, in such a way as to enhance the long term economic development of the country, its economic, social and territorial cohesion, as well as integration with the European Union”

The objectives set out under the IROP are realized with the following Priorities:

• Priority I. Development and modernisation of the infrastructure to enhance the competitiveness of regions.

• Priority II. Strengthening the human resources development in regions.

• Priority III. Local development.

• Priority IV. Technical assistance.

For further information on ERDF and IROP, please visit:
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/country/prordn/details.cfm?gv_PAY=PL&gv_reg=ALL&gv_PGM=2003PL161PO001&LAN=5
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/funds/prord/prords/prdsa_en.htm

SOP ICE

The European Commission contributes to the development of Poland by co-financing the Sectoral Operational Programme "Improvement of the Competitiveness of Enterprises" for the 2004-2006 period. This programme involves Community support for all the Polish regions within the Objective 1 framework (regions lagging behind in their development).

The primary purpose of the SOP “Improvement of the Competitiveness of Enterprises” is, on one hand, to improve access to the knowledge-based economy and, on the other, to stimulate investment and facilitate access to capital.

The programme, which also includes technical assistance measures, has 2 priorities:

Priority 1: Enhancement of a knowledge-based economy and the business environment
Analysis of the socio-economic situation showed that a number of weaknesses in the business environment in Poland need and can be addressed through targeted actions. Apart from investment in transport and environmental infrastructure and investment in human resources there is a particular need to improve access to market and other relevant information, to enhance the innovative capacity of Polish business, and to improve the availability of appropriate sites (including the reuse of brownfield sites) for the establishment of businesses.

Priority 2: Direct Support to enterprises
The objective of this priority is to increase private sector investment in Poland, in particular in SMEs, thus strengthening the competitive position of enterprises and creating new employment opportunities in the short to medium term. Support for new investment – greenfield or expansion – will be given priority. All investment supported under this priority will be directly linked to improving efficiency and international competitiveness.

For further information on SOP ICE, please visit:
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/country/prordn/details.cfm?gv_PAY=PL&gv_reg=ALL&gv_PGM=2003PL161PO002&LAN=5

SOPT

The European Commission contributes to the development of Poland by co-financing a Sectoral Operational Programme - Transport for the 2000-2006 period. This programme involves Community support for all the Polish regions within the Objective 1 framework (regions lagging behind in their development).

A comprehensive and well functioning transport infrastructure is of critical importance for efficient and cost effective mobility, balanced regional development, competitiveness and environmental sustainability. As part of an integrated strategy, road infrastructure investment must be complemented by measures such as promotion of alternative modes, closer co-ordination of transport and land use planning, management of road transport demand and improved traffic management.

The "Transport" Operational Programme, which also includes technical assistance measures, has 2 priorities:

Priority 1: Balanced development of different modes of transport
In the context of balanced development of the transport sector and environmental sustainability, investments will contribute to providing competitive alternatives to road-transport by ensuring a better integration of transport modes. There is an urgent need for modernising the existing railway network. Major infrastructure must be improved in order to provide better services between and within agglomerations. The same objective of providing competitive alternatives to road transport may be served through an increased use of "motorways of the sea". The development of inter-modal systems will complement the improvement in infrastructure and will facilitate even further the use of the different modes of transport.

Priority 2: Safer road infrastructure
The main actions will concentrate on the improvement of road traffic safety, which will be achieved both by the construction of high standard roads and by the construction of city and town bypasses and the elimination of level-crossings. Through-traffic (heavy trucks in particular) in urban areas constitute a considerable danger to the safety of inhabitants and contributed to increasing accident rates. Another form of investment falling under this priority is the improvement of urban sections of national roads, in co-ordination with investment in major corridors, where these sections are administered by cities. Actions aiming at improving the road infrastructure will be supported by actions providing more efficient management and control of traffic. Signalling installations and controls related to speed limits, alcohol consumption, the use of seat belts and other actions contributing to road safety will also be funded under this priority. The raising of public awareness through campaigns and training and general public education will complement these actions.

For further information on „Transport” Operational Programme, please visit:
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/country/prordn/details.cfm?gv_PAY=PL&gv_reg=ALL&gv_PGM=2003PL161PO003&LAN=5

TAOP

The European Commission contributes to the development of Poland by co-financing a "Technical Assistance" Operational Programme for the 2004-2006 period. This programme involves Community support for all the Polish regions within the Objective 1 framework.

The Technical Assistance Operational Programme is structured as follows:

Priority 1: Building capacity in management, monitoring, evaluation and control of the Community Support Framework
The short programming period (2004-2006), lack of experience in managing Structural Funds (SF) and the pressure to make the best possible use of support available from Structural Funds are a very big challenge for the Polish administration. It requires in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge and also a continuous enhancement and improvement of skills already acquired.

Priority 2: Support for the monitoring and financial control IT system
The SIMIK IT System is very effective in monitoring and financial flow control, as well as in managing the support received. Promoting this system, alongside comprehensive informatisation of the institutions involved in the Structural Funds implementation, is necessary for the effective introduction of the CSF. The SIMIK IT system is to cover the entire country and will collect detailed data, such as invoices issued within projects co-financed by the EU.

Priority 3: Dissemination of information and promotion of the Structural Funds
The issue of adequate information and promotion is often underestimated. In the course of implementing Structural Funds programmes there is a need for discussion and an exchange of views on the progress and the effectiveness of absorption. Potential beneficiaries and recipients of support, together with institutions interacting with the general public are very important elements in the Structural Funds system and are assisted by support from the Technical Assistance Operational Programme. There should be unlimited access to information, publications and text books describing the scope of intervention and the process of Structural Funds implementation.

For further information on TAOP, please visit:
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/country/prordn/details.cfm?gv_PAY=PL&gv_reg=ALL&gv_PGM=2003PL161PO004&LAN=5

The FIFG aims to contribute to achieving a sustainable balance between fishery resources and their exploitation. It also seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of the sector and the development of areas dependent upon it.

FIFG: fields of application

• adjustment of the fishing effort

• fleet modernisation

• aquaculture development

• protection of marine areas

• fishing port facilities

• processing and marketing of fishery products

• product promotion

For further information on the FIFG, please visit:
Further information on the FIFG
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/funds/prord/prords/prdsd_en.htm

In order for the Member States of the European Union to use FIFG it was necessary to create a series of documents. The most important is Sectoral Operational Programme, Fisheries and fish processing 2004-2006. This programme covers sea and inland fisheries as well as fish processing. SOP containing the strategy and priorities for actions of the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance and Polish Strategy is an integrated part of the Community Support Framework.

The overall objective of the Polish fisheries strategy is rational management of live fish stock and improvement of the fisheries sector’s effectiveness resulting in enhancement of the competitive position of Polish fisheries and fish processing. It is expected that the products of the Polish fishery industry will meet domestic demand both in terms of pricing and of quality and find its place in the foreign market.

• Improvement in fish and fish product quality and increase in fish and fish product added values,

• Revival of fisheries and aquaculture dependant areas,

• Increase in fish consumption in Poland and increase in sea and fresh-water fish and fish product supplies to the Polish market.

The SOP measures are implemented through the following five priorities:

1. Adjustment of fishing effort
The first priority is to establish a sustainable balance between fish stock and fishing effort, which will be attained by limiting access to the marine resources.
The adjustment of fishing effort will be achieved by the following means:
1. Scrapping of vessels;
2. Transfer to third countries / permanent reassignment of vessels for non-profit purposes other than fishing;
3. Joint enterprises.

2. Renewal and modernisation of fishing fleet The second priority seeks to improve the fishing fleet’s profitability and competitive position, and to improve sanitary and safety conditions of work. For this purpose three measures are foreseen:
1. Construction of new vessels;
2. Modernisation of existing vessels;
3. Withdrawal (without public assistance) associated with renewal.

3. Protection and development of aquatic resources, aquaculture, fishing port facilities, processing and marketing, inland fishing
The third priority has as its principal objective the restitution of diadromous fish migration paths, as well as actions aimed at mitigation of adverse effects of aquaculture and fishery. Another objective of the priority is to develop fishing port facilities in order to improve profitability and quality of marketed fish and fish products.

Measures foreseen to be implemented:
1. Protection and development of aquatic resources;
2. Aquaculture;
3. Fishing port facilities;
4. Processing and marketing;
5. Inland fishing.

4. Other measures
The objective of the fourth priority is support for small-scale coastal fishing and mitigation of socio-economic effects for fishermen losing their jobs as a result of fleet restructuring or temporarily suspended operations. Other objectives are focused on producer’s organization incorporation, fish sale promotion, and innovative actions.

To obtain the objectives the following measures are foreseen:
1. Small-scale coastal fishing;
2. Socio-economic measures;
3. Measures to find and promote new market outlets;
4. Operations by members of the trade;
5. Temporary cessation and other financial compensation;
6. Innovative measures.

5. Technical assistance
The fifth priority – technical assistance – will contribute to the preparation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation or adjustment of the Operational Programme. In addition, some operations of general nature for Structural Funds shall be financed under the “Technical Assistance” OP.

For further information on SOP Fisheries, please visit:

Sectoral Operational Programme FISHIERIES and FISH PROCESSING 2004-2006. Community Support Framework for 2004-2006 - download a file .pdf

The EAGGF is composed of two sections, the Guidance section and the Guarantee section. Within the framework of European economic and social cohesion policy, the EAGGF supports rural development and the improvement of agricultural structures.

EAGGF: fields of application

• Investment in agricultural holdings (modernisation, reduction in production costs, product quality, the environment, etc.)

• Aid for the setting up of young farmers and vocational training

• Aid for early retirement

• Compensation for less-favoured areas

• Agri-environmental measures

• Processing and marketing of agricultural products

• Development and optimal utilisation of forests

• Development of rural areas through the provision of services, support for the local economy, encouragement for tourism and craft activities, etc.

Further information on the EAGGF

European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund provides financing for Sectoral Operational Programme Restructuring and Modernisation of the Food Sector and Rural Development, 2004-2006.

Given the current situation in the agri-food sector, short programming period and limited amount of funds, EAGGF-Guidance Section funds should be focused on selected priorities and measures. The implementation of the goals set for the programme is conditional upon that.

Within the framework of the SOP Restructuring and Modernisation of the Food Sector and Rural Development, domestic and European Union (EAGGF-Guidance Section) funds will be allocated to three priorities:

I. Supporting of changes and adjustments in agricultural and food sector
The following measures will be implemented within the framework of priority I:

• Investments in agricultural holdings

• Setting up of young farmers

• Training

• Agriculture advisory and extension service support

• Improvement of the processing and marketing of agricultural products.

II. Sustainable development of rural areas
The implementation of the priority II within the framework of the SOP Restructuring and Modernisation of the Food Safety and Rural Development will be effected through the implementation of the following measures:

• Restoring forestry production potential damaged by natural disaster and fire and introducing appropriate prevention instruments

• Land reparcelling

• Renovation of rural areas and preservation and protection of cultural heritage

• Diversification of agricultural and agriculture-related activities to provide multiple activities or alternative incomes

• Agricultural water resources management

• Development and improvement of the infrastructure related to agriculture

• LEADER+ Pilot Programme

III. Technical assistance for Operational Programme

For further information on EAGGF and SOP Restructuring and Modernisation of the Food Safety and Rural Development, please visit:
http://www.minrol.gov.pl/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabOrgId=1210
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/funds/prord/prords/prdsc_en.htm