1. Polish experience, Integrated Regional Operational Programme
POLAND
Polish experience, Integrated Regional Operational Programme
Rafał Nowak
Department for Implementation of Regional Development Programmes
26 November 2007, Brussels

2. IROP objective
To contribute to long-term economic development, economic, social and territorial cohesion and integration with the European Union, by means of:
Establishing conditions for improvement of competitiveness of Polish regions
Counteracting marginalisation of specified areas

3. IROP budget
European Regional Development Fund: mln €
European Social Fund: 438 mln €
State budget: 346 mln €
Territorial self-government units: 769 mln €
Main beneficiaries
Territorial self-government units, education, health care and culture institutions, people who want to increase their professional qualifications, pupils, students, micro-enterprises

4. Main areas of intervention
Road infrastructure
Environmental infrastructure
Educational infrastructure
Health care infrastructure
Infrastructure of tourism and culture
Information society infrastructure
Trainings and courses, i.a. vocational reorientation
Job intermediation and vocational information
Support programmes for future micro-enterpreneurs
Investments in micro-enterprises

5. IROP information and promotion system
60 institutions involved
During meetings with representatives of the regional institutions a consensus was achieved. Duties of specific institutions were defined in a general and minimalistic way.
Division of competencies specified in the Promotion Plan for the IROP – part of the Programme Complement

6. IROP information and promotion system
Managing Authority:
Informational and promotional activities on the national level
Supervision and monitoring – through surveys, reports and regular meetings faciliating exchange of good practices

7. IROP information and promotion system
16 Marshall Offices: coordination of information and promotion activities on the regional level; main contact points for potential beneficiaries and other target groups
28 implementing institutions: dissemination of info about opportunities and procedures regarding specific IROP measures
16 Voivodship Offices: dissemination of information about financial and monitoring procedures related to implementation of IROP projects

8. TA – financial hardships at the beginning
No financial resources available under Technical Assistance from the previous perspective
After negotiations with the European Commission the initial TA allocation was increased in order to make the resources available to all 60 institutions

9. Achievements
Great interest in the programme: over formally correct applications; over agreements granting structural funding
Coherent guidelines on promotion of the community source of funding
Trainings (until 30 June 2007):
Over beneficiaries
Over 5766 employees implementing IROP

10. Information and promotion activities related to IROP (30 June 2007)
Actions 
Conferences
288
Participants
19 888
Other (fairs, events etc.)
318
Publishing
Titles of bulletines
113
Total issue of the bullletines
Titles of brochures and leaflets
112
Total issue of brochures and leaflets
Other publications (including posters)
286
Total issue of other publications
Trainings
For employees involved in implementation
732
Participants
5766
For beneficiaries
24 600
Other activities
Visitors in information points
Visitors on websites
Promotional materials

11. Drawbacks
Linguistic challenges realated to „euro-jargon”: structural funds, (integrated) operational programme, final beneficiary, ultimate beneficiary…
Information points
Website

12. Points for further discussion
How much outsourcing?
Do the structural funds influence social values and attitudes? Can not only ESF but also ERDF be used to promote leadership, activity, protection of the environment, etc.?

13. Contact details:
Rafał Nowak