Approach to Blended Financing in Polish Regional Policy According to EU Rules

Purpose: The purpose of this overview paper is to examine the scale of blended projects in Poland, especially in relation to the types of infrastructure and types of local government units involved in the implementation of projects representing public entities in these contracts. Design/Approach: The study was based on data contained in the PPP project database (Baza, 2024). The article is of a contributory nature, based on thematic literature and statistical data contained in the published database of PPP projects in Poland. The time scope of the research covers the years 2012 - 2023. Findings: The basis for the research and considerations regarding the scale and structure of blending financing were perennial observations of the development of PPP projects in Poland. The largest share of blended projects in terms of value was in 2013 (over 85%). In the remaining years, besides 2018 and 2019, this share was significantly smaller, which may result from, among others, longer project implementation periods on the one hand and a long procedure for approving projects for EU financing on the other. So far, blended projects have been implemented in 13 regions in Poland. In the years 2020-2022 there was no activity in the field of blended financing. The unprecedented and unfavorable situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the deterioration and the slowdown in the dynamics of any economic activities in the country or even their abandonment. The availability of EU funds gives hope for further support re-entered the PPP and blended financing market. Practical implication: The analysis carried out indicates that the possibility of using EU funds to finance PPP projects is an effective way to strengthen a partnership between public authorities and the private sector in the joint implementation of public projects, and thus further development of PPP projects in Poland. Originality/Value: The study, in the form of a scientific contribution with a high degree of applicability, takes the form of a review using literature and published statistics and was geared towards analyzing and assessing the scale of blended projects in Poland with their structure according to administrative scheme of regions and local governments.