ASSESSMENT OF INFLUENCE OF STRUCTURAL FUNDS ON RURAL AREAS TRANSFORMATION IN POLAND ON THE EXAMPLE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Abstract

One of the largest challenges of economic policy as regards rural areas in Poland is their sustainable development. Agricultural policy, regional development policy and other economic policies should in a coherent and complementary manner take into consideration in their instruments agriculture, non-agriculture nature of rural areas and non-market activity, inseparably connected with agricultural production. The article attempts to evaluate the influence of measures implemented in Poland in the years 2004-2008 basing on Rural Development Plan, on the food economy and rural areas. Synthetic description of Rural Development Plan 2004-2006 was presented, as well as an analysis of the programme economic effectiveness, effects of programme impact at regional level, influence on agricultural incomes and structural changes.