Rola funduszy strukturalnych Unii Europejskiej w rozwoju klastrów w Polsce Wschodniej

Cluster concept have become increasingly popular as a tool for localities and regions to use in understanding their economies and taking actions to become more competitive. According to European Commission strategic documents clusters are a key driver of innovation and prosperity, helping regions to built unique profiles of specialized capabilities that enable them to strengthen their role as a active and attractive partners in the global economy. European Commission recognizing the clusters’ potential for regional development undertakes initiatives to support clusters creation and development. Many initiatives in membership countries is supported by using structural funds. In the financial perspective for the period 2007-13 European Commission provides funds for realization and co-financial activities typical for cluster-based policy e.g. creation of network linkages between entities, supporting of interaction between business and research and development sphere and promotion of entrepreneur incubators creation. The regions of Eastern Poland also benefit from structural funds. The main aim of the article is to present the Operational Programme of Eastern Poland Development in the context of activities and funds supporting the process of clusters creation and development. At the beginning the paper consists an overview of main cluster initiatives undertaking by European Commission. Next the main activities from the range of cluster-based policy forecasting for Eastern Regions of Poland with appropriated funds are characterized.