Rola polityki regionalnej Unii Europejskiej w rozwoju Górnego Śląska

One of the major goals of the European Union is the reduction of differences in the socioeconomic development among the regions, as well as aiming at the liquidation of delays in the development of the less developed regions. European community Policies, which are supposed to lead to reaching economic and social cohesion, serve this goal. One of the most important policies connected with regional needs is structural policy, and that is why the notions of regional and structural policies are used interchangeably as meaning the same. And a basic tool of this policy is European Regional Development Fund. ERDF covers many areas of socio-economic life, such as for example: investments focused on creating new jobs, infrastructural investments, activities supporting small and medium size enterprises sector. In the years 2007-2013, within the National Cohesion Strategy the Regional Operational Programmes will be carried out, and they will be managed by self-governments of particular voivodships (regions). 16 milliard Euros will be assigned for the implementation of 16 such programmes. The main aim of ROPs is increasing the competitiveness of regions, promoting sustainable development by the creation of conditions for investments growth on a local and regional level. Activities that are specified in a ROP are coordinated with activities undertaken within other Operational Programmes. Regional Operational Programme for ??l??skie Voivodship (Silesia) for the years 2007-2013 is the key instrument of regional policy in our voivodship. It coordinates numerous activities of territorial self-government units and other entities (public and private ones) under the Structural Funds. “It is an implementation of the Development Strategy for ??l??skie Voivodship for the years 2000-2020 adopted by the Local Assembly (Sejmik) of ??l??skie Voivodship on 4 July 2005.”26 Silesia is the most urbanized region in Poland, it covers 71 cities, including 19 poviats with independent municipal rights. It is particularly difficult for the cities of Upper Silesia to cope with the outcomes of social changes and economic transformation. The industry sectors on decline: mining and metallurgy, which Silesia region used to be famous for, are loosing their significance. The development of high-tech industry and services has been observed. The areas of a typical industrial character were degraded .There occurred a problem of transforming post-industrial regions and their revitalization. Unsatisfactory condition of infrastructure, enterprises, educational sector, cultural and social institutions, as well as recreational centres – all this motivates to apply for the EU subsidies. It is estimates that Silesian voivodship may receive over 1,7 milliard Euros for the years 2007- 2013, which will certainly exert a positive impact on the development of Upper Silesia. Thanks to the application of adequate tools, the EU Regional Policy contributes to the development of Upper Silesia.