Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy: assessing their role in reducing socioeconomic disparities at the subregional level in Poland

The study examined how European Funds contribute to reduce socio-economic disparities across Polish sub-regions. It did not confirm either opposing or complementary effects of Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy. Cohesion Policy showed a clearer pro-development impact, especially on employment growth and entrepreneurship, although with a slight increase in disparities between sub-regions. Expenditures supporting enterprises, human capital, the information society and R&D were particularly important for regional development dynamics. By contrast, investments in quality of life and CAP spending did not influence the reduction of relative or absolute poverty. The modernisation-oriented character of CAP may have contributed to growing disparities in registered unemployment, but the mechanisms behind this relationship require further, including qualitative, research.