THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2014-2020 AS A SOURCEOF IMPROVEMENT OF INNOVATIVENESS

Abstract

The aim of the paper was identify and assess progress in selected actions implemented under the Rural DevelopmentProgramme (RDP) 2014-2020 as a source of financing entities’ innovative undertakings. The availability of European fundsallocated to entities for increasing their competitiveness through innovativeness is a key element creating and developing innovativeeconomy. The paper describes the essence of innovativeness and indicates selected instruments supporting innovativeness underthe RDP 2014-2020. It also discusses the areas, ranges limits and use of support provided to business projects. The empirical datacame from reports, documents with public statistics and unpublished data of the Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation ofAgriculture. The authors stressed out the fact that the perception as well as the economic and financial situation of entities currentlyfunctioning under precarious and unstable conditions, affect their openness to the EU offer. The EU funds will enable new entitiesto initiate innovative trends, whereas old entities can continue these trends through investment activity. The process of applying forfunds is complicated, so it is not easy to receive support. It is necessary to take actions which will increase efficient use of the funds.

Keywords

• innovations
• innovativeness
• financing
• assistance
• RDP 2014-2020