Investment financing from EU funds as a factor of local development on the example of the Włodawa town and the Włodawa commune

Subject and purpose of work: The subject-matter of this paper are local government investments and their role in local development. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the use of EU funds for the implementation of local investments on the example of the Włodawa town and the Włodawa rural commune. Investments are evaluated in the context of development strategies being pursued for these units. Materials and methods: The paper is based on the literature of the subject of research and our own surveys among randomly chosen inhabitants. Results: This paper specifies the role of local government investments in local development and presents an outline of the development of the Włodawa town, the current state of the town and the commune and an outline of the strategy of development of these units. We have analysed investments carried out with the support of EU funds in the years 2007–2014 and 2014–2020. The co-operation between governments of the town and the commune in the pursuit of investments has been evaluated, too. In the opinion of inhabitants, governments of the town and the commune used EU funds quite efficiently in development projects. The important role of these funds in the pursuit of investments regarding the repair and construction of roads, the revitalisation of cultural facilities and recreation, has been confirmed. Conclusions: The need for the further support of investments within the scope of the labour market, social infrastructure and tourism.