EN
With the accession to the European Union, Poland became involved in implementation of Community regional policy. One of the ways in which regional policy contributes to economic development in the region is to support the creation and development of companies, especially small and medium enterprises. Businesses in Malopolska are an important group of beneficiaries of structural funds from the beginning of the implementation of EU regional policy in Poland. Providing support to entrepreneurs, gaining investors and increasing the production capacity of regions are of paramount importance for improving their economic performance and for allowing the less developed regions to reduce the gap to the European average. Grants for companies are derived primarily from the European Regional Development Fund, which is the most oriented towards the needs of businesses. However, companies also benefit from other EU regional policy instruments. Enterprises of the Malopolska region are an important group of beneficiaries of structural funds since the beginning of EU regional policy in Poland.