COHERENCE OF THE SPENDING OF EU FUNDS IN THE SZCZEBRZESZYN MUNICIPALITY IN POLAND IN 2014–2020: EXPECTATIONS OF INHABITANTS FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

Local development, understood as a process of significant changes, is conditioned by both endogenous and exogenous resources, including EU subsidies. The main objective of the study is to identify the areas in which EU projects were implemented by the Szczebrzeszyn commune in Poland in 2014–2020. In addition, the study analyzes the opinions of the commune inhabitants on the legitimacy of investments implemented with EU funds, in the context of the socio-economic development of the commune and improvement of the quality of life. A CAWI survey was conducted among the inhabitants of the municipality, and the changes that have occurred due to the EU funding were analyzed. Most respondents noticed the development within the Szczebrzeszyn municipality in the last ten years. The use of EU funds allowed to increase the length of the sewage network and bicycle path, as well as to install solar collectors and photovoltaic panels. The respondents claimed that some of the projects positively impacted their quality of life.