Evaluation of the use of EU funds by local government units from the Podkarpackie voivodeship

Abstract

The aim of the article is to present the state of using EU funds by local government units from the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. In particular, the entities implementing projects under the Regional Operational Program of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship for the years 2014-2020 have been analyzed. The year 2018 is decisive in the context of the possibility of using the so-called the national performance reserve, which depends on the implementation of the financial ratios. The article presents the state of using EU funds in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship and forecasts regarding the achievement of product and result indicators. Since 2014, by 31 December 2017, 3868 applications have been submitted, correct in formal terms, for the total amount of co-financing 8,23 billion zlotys. In the same period, 1757 contracts for co-financing were signed for the amount of co-financing in the EU, 4,51 billion zlotys. The value of expenditures in the part of EU co-financing resulting from 3736 applications submitted for payment amounted to 749,93 million zlotys. The article indicates that the implementation of a project co-financed from EU funds, in addition to the benefits associated with the grant, imposes many obligations on the applicant, such as the need to secure own contribution, compliance with Community and national law, including the law on public procurement. Attention was also drawn to the great interest of applicants in individual calls for proposals. The total value of applications submitted in response to the vacancy announcement very often outstripped the available allocation of funds, which caused dissatisfaction of potential beneficiaries.