According to the article 9(d) of the Council regulation No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the structural funds - means the document approved by the Commission, in agreement with the Member State concerned, following appraisal of the plan submitted by the Member State. This document presents the strategy and priorities for action of the funds and the Member State, their specific objectives, the contribution of the funds and the other financial resources. Preparation of the Community Support Framework is required for the Member States or their regions covered by Objective 1 of the Community structural policy, to enable coordination of the structural assistance on that area.
The Community Support Framework was elaborated on the basis of conclusions of negotiations with European Commission on National Development Plan 2004-2006, approved by the Council of Ministers on 14 January 2003 and submitted to European Commission on 22 January 2003. The negotiations on National Development Plan/Community Support Framework with European Commission were officially opened on 27 June 2003, basing on the negotiation mandate passed by European Commission. As a result of the first negotiation round closed on 31 July 2003 the allocation of structural assistance at the level of operational programmes and priorities was agreed in line with the mandate given by the Council of Ministers. Additionally the structure and the implementation strategy of the Community Support Framework were decided. The second negotiation round lasting from October to November 2003 aimed at reaching an agreement with European Commission on the precise scope of the structural funds intervention in individual operational programmes. In parallel the negotiations on the Cohesion Fund Strategy took place.
Direct outcome of the negotiations with European Commission lasting from July to November 2003 was preparation of the Community Support Framework text, as well as the ultimate versions of: National Development Plan 2004-2206 and operational programmes.
18 December 2003 European Commission confirmed in an official letter the shape of the Community Support Framework and the Council of Ministers of Poland approved this document on 23 December 2003. The final endorsement of the Community Support Framework by European Commission takes place after Poland’s accession to the European Union, in May 2004.
The Community Support Framework was elaborated by European Commission in close cooperation with the Polish party. The work on the document on the Polish side was done in the Ministry of Economy, Labour and Social Policy, in Department of Structural Policy Coordination under the leadership of director Piotr Żuber (PhD) and with contribution from authorities managing the operational programmes.
The Community Support Framework was widely consulted with all institutions engaged in the implementation of the EU structural assistance. Throughout the process of its elaboration the document was available for social partners, socio-economic institutions, organisations and other interested parties.
The Community Support Framework provides coordination and monitoring of structural policy of the European Union realised in Poland, entirely under Objective 1[1], in years 2004-2006.
The Community Support Framework 2004-2006 determines directions and quantity of support from structural funds for execution of development plans in Poland after its accession to the European Union. The total Community funds allocated for Poland for years 2004 to 2006 amount to 12,81 billion euro at current prices, including 8,27 billion euro from the structural funds available in the context of the Community Support Framework. These funds will be utilised mainly for infrastructure development, particularly transport infrastructure, support for enterprises and human resources development.
Utilisation of these funds will be possible before formal approval of the Community Support Framework by European Commission, that takes place after Poland’s accession to the European Union, in May 2004.
The Community Support Framework for Poland in years 2004-2006 will be implemented through:
- five mono-funded sectoral operational programmes (SOP)
- SOP Improvement of the competitiveness of enterprises (ERDF)
- SOP Human resources development (ESF)
- SOP Transport (ERDF)
- SOP Restructuring and modernisation of the food sector and rural development (EAGGF- Guidance Section)
- SOP Fisheries and fish processing (FIFG)
- multi-funded Integrated Regional Operational Programme (IROP) (ERDF, ESF)
- Technical assistance operational programme (ERDF)
Furthermore the structural policy that has been programmed in context of National Development Plan 2004-2006, will be executed through:
- the Cohesion Fund projects – comprising infrastructure investments of the minimum cost of 10 mln euro in transport and environment sectors respectively
- Community Initiatives INTERREG (cross boarder cooperation among regions) and EQUAL (combating discrimination and social inequalities).
The Community Support Framework development axes
The structural funds resources for achievement of the overall and partial objectives of the CSF will be concentrated and utilised in the frame of the following development axes:
1. Developing the growth of, and employment, the enterprise sector
- Substantial improvement of infrastructure, especially of transport one
- Substantial financial and advisory support will be offered to start-ups and SMEs as they are the fastest growing part of the economy and the main providers of new jobs
- The improvement of the overall skills and qualification level of the labour force which will help to increase employment and the share of high-value-added sectors and hence the creation of a knowledge based economy; support for the information society will foster this development
2. Human capital development
- Modernisation of the system of employment services which will be geared towards offering a personalised service
- Support for unemployed aiming at improving employability and adaptation of skills and qualifications to labour market needs
- Improvement of the education level especially in rural areas, which together with upgrading and developing local and regional infrastructure will enhance the possibility to attract enterprises and create employment
3. Improving infrastructure endowments related to economic growth and the quality of life
- Investments improving competitiveness – mainly through reducing transaction costs for enterprises, increasing their productivity and enhancing their export potential (inclusion of Poland into the TEN-transport corridors), the improvement of national and interregional links and intercity links
- Infrastructure investments increasing road safety and reducing congestion and pollution thereby improving environmental sustainability
- Investments upgrading local and regional infrastructure and improving connections with national roads and rail lines
4. Improving the conditions for regional development including rural development
- Improving basic technical, social and transport infrastructure
- Upgrading the low educational level of the rural population by training and education
- Support for entrepreneurship and micro-enterprises
- Restructuring of the agricultural sector, including support for farms to meet standards, improve efficiency; complementary measures for diversification of rural activities will be provided
Financing of the Community Support Framework
For the implementation of the Community Support Framework 2004-2006 in Poland national funds together with supplementing thereof the EU structural funds will be utilized, in line with the complementarity principle. The share of these funds is as follows:
- from structural funds – 8 275,8 mln euro
- from national public funds assigned to development activities, i.e. state budget, self governments budgets and others – 3 136,1 mln euro.
– assistance for enterprises will be in conformity with competition rules, particularly state aid provisions will be applicable – 2 361,2 mln euro.
In addition structural investments executed in Poland in years 2004-2006 can be co-financed from the Cohesion Fund– 4 178,6 mln euro and Community Initiatives: INTERREG 221,4 mln euro and EQUAL 133,9 mln euro.
The total amount of funds (structural funds, Cohesion Fund, national funds, private funds) for the implementation of the structural policy in Poland in years 2004-2006 will reach app. 19,2 bilion euro.
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Community Support Framework - basic information 
Community Support Framework
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[1] Currently the whole territory of Poland is covered by Objective 1 – GDP per capita measured in purchasing power parties and calculated for the last three years is less than 75% of the Community average. Except for activities undertaken under Objective 1 of the regional policy, in 2000-2006 the European Union supports socio-economic conversion of regions facing structural problems (Objective 2) as well as adaptation and modernisation of policies and systems of education, trainings and employment (Objective 3)