Cash flow Unii Europejskiej wyznacznikiem procesów rozwoju innowacji w Polsce

The article is focussed on innovation development process. I he author argues that the distance separating - with regard to effectiveness and development of these processes the EU member countries and the applicant countries is quite lg. con i ion о a rapi economic development is enhancing competitiveness of the applicant countries. Prospects in this field are not too optimistic. Poland is one of the countr.es ranking low in the present competitiveness of its economy. It is worth noting that instruments stimulating innovations in the EU countries are focussed primarily on assistance for small and medium-sized enterprises This policy Pursued mainly at the regional level, and it is pursued also by local representative offices of central government organisaüons, which produces better cITccts than a policy followed at the central level. Regional innovation systems are, however, developed poorly in Poland. There are missing various types of regional institutions providing support for innovations and technology transfer in the form of innovation centres, business incubators, as well as centres of information, counselling and training. Development of these institutions is only in its initial phase, while the EU experience indicates that its is a long-term process and it calls for a mature regional development policy and support by public funds.