Poland in the EU Development Policy: Active Participant or Passive Donor?

Abstract

Accession to the European Union (EU) significantly impacted the structure and volume of Poland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). Since 2004, most of the Polish aid has been distributed through multilateral channels (annually 73% on average), with the dominant position among them of the EU (annually 90% of multilateral ODA and at the same time 66% of total ODA). The EU remains the main administrator of Polish aid resources. Therefore, the main aim of this article is to define the contribution (both in political and financial terms) that Poland makes to the European Union’s development policy. It is no less important to verify the state’s activity level in shaping this policy, which is related to promoting foreign policy interests (long-term and short-term) in the EU forum.