Capacities of Territorial Self-government Units to Absorb Resources from EU Funds, Example of the Province of Silesia

As a result of Poland accessing the European Union, since May 1, 2004, territorial selfgovernment units have got a potential access to a new free source of finance, i.e. the Union’s budget. These funds may constitute an important impulse accelerating the regional growth and improving a civilisation level of the state. However, experiences of other low-developed states which joined the EU earlier show that these funds are difficult to access, and the use of them does not necessarily bring about expected results. The article is an attempt to find an answer to the question whether Polish territorial self-government units are prepared to a complete and effective utilisation of financial resources from the EU budget.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 zostało dofinansowane ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę