FINANCIAL SOURCES FROM EUROPEAN UNION FUNDS

Cilj EU je postati ena najbolj uspešnih gospodarskih velesil. Na tej poti pa jo ovirajo predvsem nove članice, ki so gospodarsko slabše razvite. To velja predvsem po njeni največji širitvi leta 2004, ko je del EU postala tudi Slovenija. Da bi te razlike odpravila, je EU ustanovila kohezijsko politiko, ki pomaga najmanj razvitim državam in regijam, da bi dosegle razvitost Skupnosti. To dosega s pomočjo strukturnih skladov, ki so namenjeni spodbujanju ekonomske in socialne kohezije, izboljšanju in povečanju zaposlovanja v EU, pomoč kmetijstvu in usmerjanju ribištva. Poleg strukturnih skladov je še Kohezijski sklad, ki deluje na področju okolja in prometnih omrežij. Kohezijska politika nudi osrednjo razvojno priložnost, da se države (tudi Slovenija) približajo gospodarski razvitosti Skupnosti. Empirična raziskava, ki je potekala v sklopu tega diplomskega dela, je pokazala, da je velik del anketirancev seznanjenih s tem, da EU dodeljuje sredstva za sofinanciranje projektov. Kar 68 odstotkov anketirancev je mnenja, da Slovenija pri tem ni najbolj uspešna. Čeprav je Slovenija neto prejemnica sredstev iz proračuna EU, to ni zadosten pokazatelj uspešnosti črpanja sredstev. V prihodnje se mora Slovenija bolj potruditi, da bi učinkoviteje črpala ta sredstva, predvsem na področju administrativne absorpcijske sposobnosti. Za zagotavljanje boljše administrativne absorpcijske sposobnosti in posledično z boljšim črpanjem sredstev bo dosežen gospodarski razvoj in večja blaginja državljanov.One of the main objectives of the European Union is to become one of largest and successful world economy. But in achieving this objective less economically developed countries represent a barrier to EU, especially when union became larger in year 2004 when Slovenia became a member also. To eliminate economically and development differences of the states and regions of EU an Cohesion Policy has been established. The main activity of this Cohesion Policy is to help to less developed countries to achieve the development of the other members. For that reason Structural Funds have been established as a tool of Cohesion Policy. These Funds stimulate economic and social Cohesion, help to improve and increase the employment of the population of EU, help to Agriculture and Fishing industry. Beside Structural Funds there is also Cohesion Fund which main activity is reflected in Environment and Traffic networks. The Cohesion Policy is an central developing opportunity for the States (also Slovenia) to achieve higher economic development of the community. The empirical research in this dissertation shows that the most part of interviewees are informed very well about financial support for diverse Projects from EU Funds. Also 68 percent of interviewees means that Slovenia did not take all the advantages to absorbing EU financial resources. Even though that Slovenia receive net cash from EU Budget this is not sufficient indicator of successful absorption. Our activities must be more effective especially by Administrative absorption ability. If we will achieve this goal our absorption of financial sources will be more successful and we will achieve higher level of economic development and better prosperity of the nation