Eastern Poland more attractive for inhabitants and investors

Operational Programme 2007-2013: "Development of Eastern Poland" has been officially closed by the European Commission.

EUR 2.3 billion of EU funding was invested in the Eastern Poland regions (Lubelskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie) through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) between 2007 and 2013. The allocation aimed to stimulate systemic socio-economic growth in the macroregion through creating better investment conditions for firms, improving transport linkages and harnessing tourism potential. The programme has also directly benefited the citizens whose quality of life has substantially improved thanks to the EU investments.

The EU funding offered generous support to help companies set up and expand and to establish in this way the long-term foundations for modern and more innovative economy. The considerable part of funding was also allocated to the digital infrastructure to improve the Internet access of people and firms. Considerable improvements in public transport, roads and railways increased the attractiveness of the regions for inhabitants and investors. The sustainable tourism was also improved to use the Eastern Poland's greatest assets which are natural areas and biodiversity.

The EU support to the macroregion continues in the current financial perspective in the form of a dedicated multi-regional programme Eastern Poland 2014-2020.

Key achievements of the programme Eastern Poland 2007-2013 are as follows:

• 70 higher education institutions and universities constructed or modernised;
• 650 new and modernised laboratories were created in universities and private firms;
• 12 industrial, science and technology parks or incubators constructed or developed and 1530 companies benefiting from them,
• 400 ha of investment areas; 2 900 SMEs received support in form of preferential loans and guarantees for improvement of and modernisation of their technologies and production lines;
• 423 urban transport rolling stock in the regions' capitals were purchased;
• 353 km of constructed or reconstructed roads including bypasses in 20 cities;
• Access to fast Internet thanks to the broadband network deployed in 5 regions
• 2 400 new jobs created.

The list of the most remarkable projects implemented 2007-2013 in the regions of Eastern Poland:

Entrepreneurship:

State-of-the-art Technology Park enhances regional economic development and employment growth: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/poland/state-of-the-art-technology-park-enhances-regional-economic-development-and-employment-growth 

Education:

Aviation Training Centre expands at Rzeszów University of Technology: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/poland/aviation-training-centre-expands-at-rzeszow-university-of-technology   

Urban transport:

Public transport upgraded in Rzeszów, Poland and the surrounding area: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/poland/public-transport-upgraded-in-rzeszow-poland-and-the-surrounding-area   

City bypass:

Ełk ring road provides optimal solution to transport problem: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/poland/ek-ring-road-provides-optimal-solution-to-transport-problems

New Jarosław bypass aims to cut traffic congestion and improve access: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/poland/new-jarosaw-bypass-aims-to-cut-traffic-congestion-and-improve-access   

Research and innovation:

Works on university improve its facilities and academic standards: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/poland/works-on-university-improve-its-facilities-and-academic-standards

Research Centre in Puławy introduces advanced “green chemistry” technology in Poland: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/poland/research-centre-in-puawy-introduces-advanced-green-chemistry-technology-in-poland   

Transport:

New Vistula bridge to provide economic boost to Eastern Poland: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/poland/new-vistula-bridge-to-provide-economic-boost-to-eastern-poland