What are the European Funds and who can benefit from them?

If you are an entrepreneur - whether you are just starting out or already running a business - you can benefit from the European Union’s financial support for the development of your firm. This organization regularly allocates part of its budget to help small businesses and reduce unemployment. The funding also reduces the disparities between Member States in terms of development. This kind of aid is non-refundable, provided the beneficiary complies with the terms of the agreement, e.g. will not liquidate the company immediately after receiving financial support for its development. It is possible to receive up to PLN 40,000 at a time.

In addition to financial support, as an entrepreneur you can also count on:
- an individual plan of action to help you take the right steps in finding a job
- career counseling with a professional counselor who will help you choose the right job for you
- training, vocational courses, postgraduate studies
- internships and apprenticeships

In the table below you will find information about the forms of support that is available to you.

GROUPS	SUPPORT	HOW DO I FIND IT?
You are under 30 years old, neither studying nor working.	A subsidy for your own business (over PLN 20,000) based on an analysis of your situation and career counseling, help in finding a job, training and postgraduate studies, internships and apprenticeships, advice at the first stage of the company's activity.	District Labour Office (if you have registered as unemployed), website of the Voivodeship Labour Office, European Funds Information Point, Subsidy Search Engine
You are over 30 years old and not working. In particular, if you: - are a woman, - are over 45 years old, - are disabled, - do not have a university education do not work for a long period of time.	Co-financing for business start-up and all the services mentioned above. The conditions for obtaining a funding may differ depending on the voivodeship. Most often, you need to additionally prove that your professional situation is difficult.	District Labour Office (if you have registered as unemployed), website of the Voivodeship Labour Office, European Funds Information Point, Subsidy Search Engine
You work or do not belong to any of the groups mentioned above.	A loan for business start-up (oftentimes exceeding PLN 20,000) which you would need to pay back but on favorable terms. Additionally, all the services mentioned above.	District Labour Office (if you have registered as unemployed), website of the Voivodeship Labour Office, European Funds Information Point, Subsidy Search Engine
You are under 35 years old, you have an innovative idea for a business and you want to open a company in the following voivodeships: Lubelskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie	"Access to infrastructure (eg workstation), mentoring, coaching and other services necessary to develop a new business idea. When your company is ready to enter the market, you will be able to obtain funding for the development of your business."	The project "Startup platforms for new ideas" by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development
A young start-up company	You will receive a direct assistance from seed funds, venture capital funds or Business Angels Network (i.e. investors supporting valuable ideas of potential entrepreneurs or young companies) selected by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development. The most interesting ideas will go through the so-called pre-incubation. If the analyzes conducted during pre-incubation are promising, the investor will help you set up and develop your business. You will be able to establish a company and receive a provision of equity to start a business. "	Starter and BizNest - the website of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development
You are a farmer insured in the Agricultural Social Insurance Fund (KRUS)	Bonus for starting a business - up to PLN 100 000	Submitting the application to the Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture.
You live in the countryside but you are not involved in agriculture	A subsidy of up to PLN 100,000 if your idea fits into the goals of local strategies.	Local Action Groups. You can also search for them on the National Rural Network website.
New and short-acting companies	Loans that are easier to obtain (than at a bank) and have more favorable repayment terms. A bank loan that is easier to receive thanks to the guarantee of European Funds.
A company operating for a long period of time	Generally understood funding.	The European Funds Portal and by contacting the Information Points.