Financing of Regional Development – Example of the Western Pomerania Province, Poland

The contemporary global economy has encountered a significant increase in the role of regions in economic growth. Regions are responsible for creating their development strategies and decide on the spending of EU funds (as managing authorities). Thus, they play a decisive role in the development of a given territory.

The article identifies conditions which stimulate and hamper the development of a region, with special emphasis on financial factors determining the process. The study analyzes the main sources of funding designated for regional development, with a particular reference to the Western Pomerania Province. The article discusses funds earmarked for the purpose in a regional budget and non-returnable EU funds, as well as funds transferred to Poland, including the West Pomerania Province, in the form of loans for investment in development projects from the European Investment Bank.

Research goals and objectives determined the research process, which included analysis, measurement and evaluation of empirical data. The data originate from budget performance reports developed by local governments, reports on the utilization of EU funds at the national level and the province, as well as data from the Main Statistical Office and the European Investment Bank. The study covered two financing periods, i.e. 2007-2013 and 2014-2021, and were based on the following:

– desk research

– quantitative methods, in particular statistical methods and comparative methods, and

– praxeological methods.

Considering its importance and consequences, the research problem has been qualified as very important and relevant. The appropriate use of limited resources (both time and funds) determines the choice of the path and the rate of changes affecting the development of a region.