Spatial diversity of EU funds’ absorption in financial framework 2007–2013 and the changes in economic growth of the provinces in Poland

Abstract

The article presents the spatial differentiation of absorption of EU funds in financial framework 2007–2013 at the level of provinces. At first, the absorption of EU funds was discussed in the system of operational programs, and then – using absolute figures (number of projects and the value of funds) and relative terms (the fund per 1 inhabitant and the value of funds on 1 km2). The article includes the hypothesis that there are the significant spatial disproportions in the use of EU funds of the financial perspective 2007–2013 in Poland. The highest amount of funds and the largest number of projects were implemented in the Masovian province. In turn, the maximum amount of the EU funds per 1 inhabitant was recorded in the Warmia-Masuria province and per 1 km2 – in the Silesia province. In addition, the paper presents the relationship between the evolution of the economic situation in the provinces and the amount of EU funds used in the various regions of Poland. The absorption of EU funds in the particular regions was significantly positively correlated with the rate of growth of GDP. The highest GDP growth rate was seen in those provinces where there has been involved most of EU funds, and the lowest GDP growth recorded in the regions with the lowest absorption of EU funds. Statistical data on the GDP were taken from the Data Bank of the Central Statistical Office and the data on the involvement of EU funds were generated from the list of beneficiaries published by the Ministry of Development. On the other hand, all the graphics were prepared in the GIS program.