ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE VOIVODESHIP REGIONAL PARLIAMENT ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE VOIVODESHIP DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Transcription

1 ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE VOIVODESHIP REGIONAL PARLIAMENT ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE VOIVODESHIP DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Szczecin, June 21 1

2 Marshall Władysław Husejko Chairman of the Department responsible for updates to the "Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy up to 22 Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy was prepared by the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Marshall s Office Regional Policy Department staff. Head of Department: Jacek Baraniecki Hanna Galewska Katarzyna Kicińska Dorota Pawłowska Sławomir Doburzyński Marek Niewiarowski Rafał Niewiarowski Jerzy Ruszała Paweł Szeremet Experts: Małgorzata Kołodziej-Nowakowska Dariusz Zarzecki 2

3 Table of contents TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Basis, scope, execution and mode of updates Diagnosis of the socio-ecenomic situation... 7 Introduction Environmental Conditions Demography Social capital Local Health Care Culture Education Labour market Economy Industry Trade and services Construction Agriculture Forestry Tourism Maritime economy Innovativeness Science Information society Transport Road infrastructure Railway infrastructure Air transport Water transport Energy Generation of electricity and heat Gas network Renewable energy sources Air pollution Waste Municipal economy Water supply Sewage Waste management Regional balance and the wealth of inhabitants Horizontal Perspectives The Cross-border Dimension International Cooperation Metropolitan Dimension and the Role of Conurbation Rural Areas Public spaces and revitalization Synthetic indicator of communes development Vision and mission of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Key challenges

4 Table of contents 4. Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy Instruments used to implement the Strategy Strategies and viovodeship s programmes Regional Operational Programme of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Long-term Investment Programme Territorial contract Cohesion of Development Strategy of Voivodeship with national strategic documents Strategy and area development plan of the voivodeship Financial sources of the Strategy Institutions responsible for accomplishment of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy Time frames of the Strategy accomplishment Strategy monitoring

5 Basis, scope, execution and mode of updates 1. Basis, scope, execution and mode of updates The Board of the Voivodeship is responsible for establishing the regional development policy. The basis for its creation constitutes the voivodeship's development strategy - a long term document defining the policy direction and objectives, which are to be achieved within a given time frame. The currently binding Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy up to 22 together with the environmental impact Forecast was accepted by the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship regional parliament (Sejmik) by Resolution No. XXVI/33/5 of 19 December 25. The necessity to update to the Strategy stems from the Resolution of 6 December 26 on the principles of development strategy implementation (consolidated text Dz. U. (Journal of Laws) No. 84 item 712 of 29), as well as the permanently changing external and internal conditions for the development of the voivodeship. During the course of implementing the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy (ZVDS), the following actions were carried out: 1) a diagnosis of the current Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship s socio-economic position 2) 6 strategic objectives have been defined with 36 directional objectives assigned to them; activities describing the methods of implementing the ZVDS, which do not constitute further levels within the structure of its implementation but correspond to individual directional objectives. 3) an implementation indicator has been defined 4) a method for implementation has been prescribed together with the ZVDS financial framework 5) ZVDS notes have been coordinated with the strategic objectives' documents on the national level: National Development Strategy, Cohesion Strategy, National Strategy for Regional Development project and the voivodeships spatial development plan 6) a revision of the ZVDS environmental impact assessment has been carried out. The Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy revision has been carried out in the following stages: 1) Commencement of strategy revision resolution no. 15/9 of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Management on commencement of works in order to prepare changes to the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy up to 22 (29th January 29), Ordinance no. 12/9 of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Marshall on the appointment of a Department to deal with the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy up to 22 revision (6 th of February 29). Voivodeship Marshall Mr Władysław Husejko becomes the head of the aforementioned Department. 2) Drawing up of a diagnosis of the current Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship s socioeconomic position (from January to February 29) a) Drawing up of a diagnosis by the Department for revisions in cooperation with the competent departments of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Marshalls Office and external experts b) a questionnaire based survey of the Zachodniopomorskie tertiary units (from March to May 29) c) workshops on the following subjects: economy and entrepreneurship, spatial planning and environment, society, undertaken in two stages: 1 st, 3 rd and 5 th of April and 11 th, 15 th and 18 th of May 29 5

6 Basis, scope, execution and mode of updates 3) Regional Development Management 1 meetings taking place on the 23 rd of February, 2 th, 24 th and 27 th of April and 23 rd of June 29 4) Commencement of proceedings in order to carry out an environmental impact strategic evaluation (3 rd of June 29), the drawing up of a ZVDS Environmental Impact Forecast (July 29) 5) Acceptance by the Voivodeship Board of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy together with the ZVDS Environmental Impact Forecast and forwarding of these documents for social consultations (August 29) 6) ZVDS social consultations together with tertiary units, social and economic partners as well as Joint Government and Local Government Committee (from August 29 to February 21) 7) Drawing up of a report on the consultations proceedings and outcomes (February 21) 8) Acceptance by the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship regional parliament of the information pertaining to the diagnosis of the current Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship s socio-economic position (16 th February 21) 9) Acceptance by the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship regional parliament of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy together with the ZVDS Environmental Impact Forecast documents (June 21) 1) Publication of the resolution on accepting the ZVDS in the voivodeship s journal of laws (September 21) 1 Kolegium Rozwoju Regionalnego is a formula for periodic consultations between the Marshall of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship and the district representatives regarding the most important aspects of regional development. 6

7 Introduction 2. Diagnosis of the socio-economic situation Based on the evaluation carried out by experts of the individual aspects of the socioeconomic situation a diagnosis of the voivodeship state and a SWOT analysis have been carried out. These constitute the basis for the determination of the objectives defining the frameworks of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development strategy implementation. Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship diagnosis relates to processes and occurrences which took place within its boundaries form 29. Where it was necessary and possible the diagnosis was supplemented by a forecast. The spatial variability of the occurrences is presented based on statistical data collected according to the administrative partitions as well as according to NUTS 2 tertiary units. The SWOT analysis constitutes the content of appendix 1. Strategic and directional objectives built on the basis of the diagnosis constitute the executive part of the Strategy. Introduction Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship lies in the North-West part of Poland. Its location on the South-West cost of the Baltic Sea constitutes a key determinant of its potential and development perspectives. Total length of the voivodeship borders is km, whereas the western national border with Germany is km, sea coast line is km, southern border with the Wielkopolska Voivodeship is km, the Lubuskie Voivodeship is km and the eastern border with the Pomorskie Voivodeship is 19.9 km. The voivodeship encompasses an area of sq. km. (5 th largest in Poland), which constitutes 7.3% of the total area of the country. Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship was established on the basis of a national administrative reform, in force since the 1 st of January 1999, by amalgamating the ex voivodeships of Szczecin, Koszalin, 1 communes of the Gorzowskie Voivodeship, 5 communes of the Pilskie Voivodeship and 3 communes of the Słupskie Voivodeship. The voivodeship capital is Szczecin, the main administrative economic and cultural centre of the region, with 46.9 thousand inhabitants. The other large urban areas are: Koszalin (17.1 thousand inhabitants), Stargard Szczeciński (7.1 thousand inhabitants), Kołobrzeg (44.9 thousand inhabitants), Świnoujście (4.8 thousand inhabitants) and Szczecinek (38.2 thousand inhabitants). 2 Nomenclature of Tertiary Units for Statistical Purposes (drawn up on the basis of Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics NUTS) is used in the process of data collection, performing statistical research and publicising it periodically. It divides Poland into territorial, hierarchical, connected units on 5 levels: regions, voivodeships and sib-regions (on the regional level), districts and communes (on the local level). The current set of sub-regions on NUTS 3 level is valid until the end of 28. In the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship 4 subregions have been distinguished: Koszaliński (districts: Sławieński, Koszaliński, Kołobrzeski, Białogardzki, Świdwiński, Szczecinecki, Drawski, Wałecki, M. Koszalin), Stargardzki (districts: Gryficki, Łobeski, Stargardzki, Choszczeński, Pyrzycki, Myśliborski), Szczeciński (districts: Kamieński, Goleniowski, Policki, Gryfiński, M. Świnoujście) and the city of Szczecin. 7

8 2. Demography 2.1 Environmental Conditions The voivodeship is characterised by a higher than the national average percentage of land covered by forests and one of the highest saturation of surface waters. It is also distinguished by a large number and the largest area of lands designated for special protection of birds and their habitats. The voivodeship enjoys a moderate climate, in the coastal belt warm sea climate, whereas inland, warm temporary. It is formed by the proximity of the sea, large inland water reservoirs and extensive forests. The varied landscape was formed by glacial activities and its melt waters, as well as the influence of the Baltic Sea and its winds. Two main geographical lands of the voivodeship are PobrzeŜe Południowobałtyckie and Pojezierze Pomorskie. Glacial soils, mostly podsolis and brown soils are predominant in the region. In the proximity of Pyrzyce and Stargard Szczeciński, charnozem can be found and on quite large areas within the voivodeship peat soils. The region beds of contains natural energy sources (natural gas, oil) and siderite iron ores, limestone, marlite, lake marls, loams, ceramic clays, erinaceous quartz, as well as healing raw materials (peloid peats, thermal waters). Surface waters constitute about 5.2% of the voivodeship area, this percentage is only higher in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship. The largest inland water basin of the region is the Zalew Szczeciński, furthermore numerous lakes create lake districts: Wałeckie, Ińskie, Myśliborskie and Choszczeńskie. There are 172 lakes in the voivodeship, with total area of 5 ha. The largest are: Dąbie, Miedwie, Drawsko, Wielimie, Betyń, Ińsko and Woświn. The most important rivers in the voivodeship are: Odra with its tributaries (Myśl, Płonia, Ina), Drawa, Gwda and the Pryzmorze rivers: Świniec, Parsęta (with Radwia) and Wieprz (With Grabowa) which flow directly into the Baltic Sea. The mouth of the River Oder by the Baltic Sea (through the Zalew Szczeciński Delta bounded by the Dźwina, Świna and Piany straights) constitutes a unique hydrological system on a World scale. The water assets of the voivodeship are also supplemented by 11 Main Groundwater Reservoirs, which are also a source of potable water. It has one of Poland s highest ratios of usable groundwater reserves of 8.9% in comparison with 12% for Mazowieckie Voivodeship and 9.4% for Wielkopolskie Voivodeship. The voivodeship is characterised by an immense environmental richness and variety and large ratio of forests. In 28, forests constituted 36.7% of the total area (with the national average of 29.6%), 99.% of which belong to the State Treasury. The forests predominantly lie in the southern and eastern parts of the voivodeship. Dense forest complexes form primeval forests with particular environmental and economic importance: Goleniowski, Bukowy, Piaskowy, Barlinecki, Wkrzański and Wałecki (Wałecko-Drawski forests). The Koszalińsko-Białogradzki and Czułowsko-Szczeciński forests are also large complexes. The areas with the largest environmental value are formed in belts. The border region is encompassed by the Odra Valley belt. The coastal belt runs along the coastline, latitudinally through the central part of the voivodeship runs the central belt, and along the southern voivodeship border - the southern belt. In order to preserve the unique environmental heritage, the Wolin National Park and Drawno National Park have been established within the voivodeship, (jointly with the Lubuskie Voivodeship) as well as 7 natural landscape parks, 83 nature reserves and 2 landscape protection areas. In total 21.3% of the voivodeship area is protected by the above mentioned forms of protection. After the Polish accession to the European Union, areas within the borders of the voivodeship have been included in the European Ecological Network Natura 2. They encompass 19 areas of special protection for birds, which constitute 28% 8

9 2. Demography of the voivodeship area and 41 areas of special protection for habitats, encompassing 27% of the area. Map 1. Natura 2 areas of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship source: Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Regional Spatial Economy Office. Challenges: Ensuring appropriate effectiveness of the activities aimed at preserving the biological variety entails cooperation at the local and voivodeship level as well as on the international stage. The national border location of the voivodeship determines its share in the transborder projects and enterprises aimed at preserving the biological balance as well as common ecological problem solving both in cooperation with Mecklenburg Vorpommern and Brandenburg as well as in the Baltic Sea region. The preservation of the balance between natural reserves of the region and their exploitation for development is also a challenge. 9

10 2. Demography 2.2. Demography 4.44% of the population of the whole country lives in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship and is in 11 th place with regards to the number of inhabitants which during decreased in the region from to The voivodeship is one of the most sparsely populated regions in Poland, with the indicator value of 74 people/sq. km., and nationally is in 13 th place with the national average of 122 people/sq. km. In city areas, an average of 848 people per 1 sq. km is observed (including people/sq. km in Szczecin, people/sq. km in Koszalin, 27 people/sq. km in Świnoujście). In urban communes population density is 984 people/sq. km, whereas in the least populated communes it is 33 (Drawsko commune) to 36 people/sq. km (Łobez commune). The following communes have the highest populations: city of Szczecin people, Stargardzka people and the city of Koszalin people. In 28 the following communes had the smallest populations 3 : Łobez (38 162) and Pyrzyce (4 2). For every 1 males there are 16 females. The largest number of females per 1 males are observed in Szczecin and Koszalin (111) and Kołobrzeg commune (18), the smallest in Koszalin, Choszczno and Pyrzyce communes (11). A decrease in the proportion of preworking age population as to the working and retirement age population persists Figure 1. Gender and age structure of the voivodeship population in 28 age groups male female no. of inhabitants source: own work based on BDR GUS data. Permanent internal and foreign migration for each 1 inhabitants in the voivodeship was -.8, and this indicator was the same for all cities 2.1 and 1.9 for villages. There are disabled people, i.e. 11.6% of the total population. The degree of urbanisation for the voivodeship, at 68.8% in 28 was higher than the indicator for the whole of Poland at 61.1%. Two large cities, Szczecin and Koszalin, congregate 3% of the voivodeship s population and 44% of its urban population. As much as half the population of the voivodeship lives in cities, and in small cities 19%. 52 cities 3.Actual accommodation as of 21 XII 1

11 2. Demography (82%) have less than 2 inhabitants, out of which 31 have no more than 5. Half of the voivodeship s population lives in 11 of the largest cities, 11, whereas 19% of the population and 28% of the urban inhabitants live in small cities. During almost only the communes lying in the Szczecin and Koszalin agglomerations and around Kołobrzeg have observed an increase in population. A decrease in the population numbers occurred mainly within areas situated outside of urban agglomerations, in the central and southern parts of the voivodeship, where a lack of strong urban centers can be observed (Drawsko, Choszczno, Myślibórz, Pyrzyce, Szczecin and Wałec communes). When it comes to the communes of Złocieniec, Drawno, Tuczno and Krzęcin the negative migration balance is combined with a negative population growth. Figure 2. Summary of percentage share for selected demographic parameters of the voivodeship as compared to the national population totals and other voivodeships in 28 population in the pre-working age group 19,1% population in the working age group 65,9% population in the retirement age group 15,% population in cities 68,8% % 2% 4% 6% 8% 1% Voivodeship ranking position source: own work based on BDR GUS data. The voivodeship maintains positive natural growth. In 28 it increased to the level of 1.1 and exceeded the national value of.9 which puts the voivodeship in 9 th place. The predicted lifespan for a newborn baby was 79.6 years for females (11th place in the country) and 7.6 years for males (11th place in the country). When it comes to the expected life spans for people aged 6 the region is in 11th place and 12th place for females and males respectively. A worrying factor is the small number of people in the pre-working age group. The numbers of people reaching the working age are smaller than the numbers of people reaching the retirement age. The population prognosis 4 for the voivodeship for the coming years indicated a systematic decrease up to the year 21 ( thousand people) through in 215 up to thousand people in 22. The proportion of females in the population in 215 will increase slightly to Proportion of inhabitants living in cities in the coming years will decrease to 67.9% in 215. The working age population (15-64 years old) as a percentage of the total population of the region will increase to reach 7.% in 215. A decrease in the natural growth ratio is predicted of (-.3) per 1 inhabitants in 215. The demographic processes do not yield directly to administrative actions especially that the instruments of such policies are solely at the disposal of the national. 4 Warszawa 29 Based on GUS publication Population prognosis for Warszawa 29 11

12 2. Demography During recent years, as an answer to the increasing percentage of pre-working age population, local s in the voivodeship invested funds mainly into educational and sports infrastructure for children and teenagers. Challenges: The current demographic structure, which is favourable as seen in the backdrop of the whole country, within the next 1 years, will deteriorate significantly. Proportionally more than in other regions, the numbers of people in the retirement age group will increase and the demographic dependency ratio will increase. This will cause an increase in the costs of public services for the retirement age group, including those financed by the local s and the deterioration of the competitiveness of the region. To counteract the negative effects of this occurrence, it will be necessary to socially activate the older population and the extension of the working age as well as a development of the social infrastructure geared for the needs of the older. It will also be necessary to professionally activate females and the disabled. Social re-activation and a return to the job market by population groups currently excluded will not be possible without support for the families, an increase in the involvement of males in looking after dependants, both children and the elderly. The settlement structure in the voivodeship is determined by the lesser quality of services availability inhabitants for central and southern parts of the voivodeship. This translates to a lower living standard and in particular lower housing standards, higher unemployment rate, lower education levels and negative population growth. For the sustainable development of the region, support for these areas is imperative, and in particular through better communication with larger urban hubs and the development of public services (housing, health, education). The increasing mobility of people active professionally may cause an increasing deterioration of family ties and an increasing isolation of the elderly. This process can already be observed in rural areas, with a negative migration balance. 12

13 3. Social Capital 2.3. Social capital The voivodeship is characterized by a noticeably low, as compared to the rest of the country, social and public activity and at the same time a high level of social benefits. Voting frequency rarely exceeds 5%. In the parliamentary elections in 25 it was 37.23% (national figure: 4.57%), two years later on 51.86% (national figure: 53.88%). In the local elections for the Voivodeship s Regional Assembly (Sejmik) in 26 the frequency was 45.57%. There are about 6 9 non- organization operating in the region 5. The structures of The Volunteer Fire Brigade with members are most developed. Furthermore the potential of the third sector in the region includes the structures of social organizations (parents committees, hunting clubs and social committees), trade unions, self regulating trade and labour organizations as well as employers' groups and political parties. For each 1 inhabitants of the voivodeship, there are 18 active non- organisations, a similar number exists in other regions. The area of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship almost completely overlaps with the reach of the Szczecińsko-Kamieńska archdiocese and the Koszalińsko-Kołobrzeska diocese. There are 488 active parishes in the area with clergymen. People of the Roman-catholic faith constitute 94% of the Szczecińsko-Kamieńska archdioceses population and 92.3% of the Koszalińsko-Kołobrzeska archdioceses. There are also, amongst others, 14 Orthodox parishes, 14 Pentecostal congregations, 12 Greek Catholic parishes, 1 parish and three missions of the Lutheran Church. One of the manifestations of the social capital are the activities within the fields of sport and physical education. The region also boasts achievements and traditions in sailing, rowing, swimming and track cycling. Clubs and competitors from the voivodeship, ranging across a number of disciplines participate in competitions at the highest level. Within the whole of the voivodeship in 63 clubs and 23 regular training sessions, in all age categories, individuals are in training. The considerable majority of the competitors participate in football (17 452) as well as track and field sports (3 927) and volleyball (3 887) 6. The sports branding of the region is also emphasised by periodic events of international status, including a tennis tournament and an athletics meeting in Szczecin. A development of sports fields and halls, swimming pools and other sport oriented structures has been taking place for a number of years, within the scope of the Moje Boisko Orlik 212 ( My Playing Field Orlik 212 ) programme. Considering the relatively low number of inhabitants (11 th place in the country), Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship is distinguished by a large number of social benefits beneficiaries (6 th place). An indicator of the number of people receiving social benefits, as a proportion of 1 people did drop from 24, when it was 832.2, to in 28, but it is still above the national average of people in 28. Social benefits are available from 19 commune centres and two urban assistance centers as well as by 112 social benefits centers. For the needs within this area, the demographic, social and cultural situation, residents health condition and the economic development degree are very influential. The most common reasons for receiving social benefits are: unemployment, poverty, disability, long term or serious illness as well as helplessness with regards to education and care. These causes, most often occur all at once in a given family. In 28, over 75 thousand families received social benefits (including 32 thousand in rural areas), and the number of people in these families amounted to 21 thousand, which constituted 12.4% of the total voivodeship population. In excess of thirty per cent of homesteads making use of social benefits are recorded in the 5 According to Klon/Jawor association 6 26 GUS data 13

14 3. Social Capital Drawski, Szczecinecki and Świdwińska communes, whereas the lowest in Szczecin as well as the communes of Police and Świnoujście. It is estimated that the number of people making use of social benefits will decrease, however the number of people receiving help due to unemployment will increase. Due to the economic recession, a consequence of which is an increasing unemployment rate and the return of the voivodeship inhabitants from economic migration back to the country, it should be expected that the number of people requiring assistance will increase. The level of public safety in the region is quite varied. There has been a noticeable increase in the detection rate of the perpetrators who committed crimes, however it is still one of the lowest in the country. The detection rate increased from 5.4% in 24 to 66.3% in 28 and 68.6% in 29. The majority of crimes are linked with theft, however their detection rate has been the lowest, in particular car theft. An increasing number of drink driving offences has been noticed, including those underage. Indicators depicting the crime rates oscillate between 44.8 confirmed crimes per 1 inhabitants in Szczecin and in the Drawsko commune to in the Gryfino commune and in the Szczecinecki commune. The detectability of offenders is highest in the Drawski commune, and the lowest in Szczecin, which is a consequence of the specifics of a large city and personnel shortages within the police. The low level of social capital in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship is reflected by the highest percentage of divorces in the country. Figure 3. Percentage of couples divorcing amongst the professionally active population in the country during ,6% 1,4% 1,2% 1,%,8%,6%,4%,2%,% zachodniopomorskie lubuskie śląskie dolnośląskie pomorskie warmińsko-mazurskie kujawsko-pomorskie opolskie wielkopolskie Polska mazowieckie podlaskie małopolskie łódzkie podkarpackie świętokrzyskie lubelskie source: own work based on BDR GUS data. Other indicators depicting the social condition of the voivodeship are also unfavorable. According to research conducted periodically as part of the "Social Diagnosis" 7 it is in pole position in most of the reports regarding self-destructive behaviors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, drug taking as well as experimenting with crime Czapiński J., Panek T. (edit.) Social diagnosis 29, Warsaw 14

15 3. Social Capital Figure 4. A summary of the selected parameters connected with self-destructive behaviours in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship in the backdrop of other voivodeships in Number of smokers 32,9% People over 16 years old who admit to having drunk too much alcohol the previous year 8,28% People over 16 years old who turn to alcohol in difficult life situations 6,5% Theft victims 4,6% Stopped by the police 3,8% % 2% 4% 6% 8% 1% Voivodeship ranking position source: own work based on the Social Diagnosis 29 Conditions and quality of life for Poles a report drawn up by the Council of Social Monitoring. Social policies undertaken in the voivodeship are intended to help those inhabitants, whom due to a difficult situation are not able to, independently, fulfill their basic needs and thus are unable to participate, or only play a limited role in the family, professional and social life. Problem areas requiring intervention and implementation of social policy instruments are: long term unemployment, family crises, addictions, limited access of disabled people to the job market and social life as well as an ageing population. The answers to these problems lay in specific programmes, intended amongst others to counteract social exclusions, activation of older people, early diagnosis and rehabilitation of disabilities, undertaken to a large extent by non- organisations. Commune family assistance centres as well as social benefit centres implement active forms of counteracting social exclusion which includes: social contracts, useful community schemes and breaking out of homelessness programmes. Institutions also organise clubs and social integration centres, are active in order to develop social economy, e.g. social associations. Other forms of counteracting social exclusion mainly constitute activities within the scope of Labour Clubs, voluntary work and programmes aimed at preparing children form children s homes for independent life. Activities aimed at counteracting the negative effects of using psycho active substances are also implemented. Support is given for the development and improving accessibility for therapeutic services for addicts and co-addicts, through funding and improving the work of permanent withdrawal treatment centres, improving the quality of therapy and the qualifications of staff. Local and national administration and representatives of various professional and local environments cooperate within the fields of solving addiction problems, violence prevention as well as implementing preventative programmes, promoting healthy, sober life style and alternative standpoints when it comes to addictions. 15

16 3. Social Capital Challenges: Programmes undertaken within the scope of social policy require supplementing by investment programmes. They should assume the development of social infrastructure, such as modernisation of care and education centres, i.e. children's homes, minor s social therapy day centres particularly in rural areas; professional activity centres for disabled people as well as other forms of support connected with the social economy sector such as: social integration clubs and centres, social cooperative societies etc. Areas requiring effective intervention: employment, activation and social intervention as well as the development of various support vehicles, particularly in rural areas. Equally important is the improvement of social welfare staff by improving their qualifications and specialist advice. Social contracts will aid problem solving, including individual programmes for active integration, local activities, a series of actions aimed at social and professional activation for people in danger of social exclusion, including the creation of professional activity centres, promotion of voluntary work and after school teenager s social integration activities, in particular day centres with a socio-therapeutic programmes, psychological, psychosocial and vocational counselling as well as new methods for individual and global support. Activities aimed at improving the public and social activities of the voivodeship inhabitants should not be forgotten, in particular through participation in elections. Enterprises aimed at the formation of civic attitude and the development of inter-personal relationships should also go a long way towards reducing crime rates and increasing the safety of the region s inhabitants. In rural areas, the effective cooperation between public, social and economic partners has a large chance of success within the scope of local action groups. 16

17 4. Local 2.4. Local The voivodeship implements public tasks of a voivodeship character, including, amongst others in the area of public education, health care, culture, social benefits, modernization of rural areas, environmental protection, water management and public roads. One of the more important tasks of the voivodeship is the participation in the procedures of European Union funds allocation, mainly within the scope of regional Operational Programme, Rural Areas Development Programme and Human Capital Operational Programme. The tertiary of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship consists of 21 districts (including 3 townships - Szczecin, Koszalin and Świnoujście - as well as 18 rural districts) and 114 communes (including 12 urban communes, 5 mixed, urban and rural communes and 52 rural communes). The voivodeship assembly, being the organ constituting and controlling the voivodeship management, is made up of 3 members chosen by direct elections. The regional policy is implemented based on the voivodeship budget. Total amount of voivodeship budget incomes in 28 was PLN and voivodeship budget expenditures were PLN Figure 5. Voivodeship budget actual 28 expenses structure Figure 6. Voivodeship budget actual 28 expenses structure according to type of activity 28% 2% 3% 5% 1% 1% 8% 6% 1% % 38% 12% 1% 12% 28% incomes from the activities of units other incomes funding for internal activities funds from foreign sources (including EU) development funding funding for commissioned tasks share in the national budget taxes general subsidy 11% transport and communications 16% social policy and entrepreneurship development culture, sport and tourism health care and social benefits administration and public safety agriculture and environment protection schooling and education, social care housing management and spatial planning, geology and geodesy reserve and finances source: data from the Department of Finance and Budget of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Marshall s Office. 17

18 4. Local Amongst the municipal districts, whose budget encompasses also commune activities, there is a clear disproportion between Świnoujście, where the incomes and expenditures oscillated around 5 thousand PLN per capita and the districts of Koszalin and Szczecin (around 3 thousand PLN per capita) Amongst the rural districts, only the Białogardzki, Świdwiński and Stargardzki, in both the incomes and expenditures achieved the level of 1 thousand PLN per capita in 28. Figure 7. Incomes and expenditures per capita in the districts and voivodeship budgets in incomes per 1 inhabitant expenditures per 1 inhabitant 4 PLN zachodniopomorskie białogardzki drawski kołobrzeski koszaliński sławieński szczecinecki świdwiński wałecki choszczeński gryficki myśliborski pyrzycki stargardzki łobeski goleniowski gryfiński kamieński policki Koszalin Szczecin Świnoujście source: own work based on BDR GUS data. Average per capita incomes of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship communes (excluding district cities) in 28 were at a level of PLN. In half of the communes the incomes oscillated around the 2.5 thousand PLN figure, and only in one or two approached the 5 thousand figure. The level of the voivodeship budget per one inhabitant in 28 was PLN, whereas expenditures were PLN. The average national percentile of tax incomes of the voivodeship form income taxes (private and corporate) as part the total incomes during decreased from an amount close to 95% to 76.3%. In the voivodeship, the analogous decrease was even larger and approached 3.3 percentage points. The majority of investment expenditures are borne by the communes. At the same time an increase in the participation in these expenditures by the voivodeship and the districts is noticeable. 18

19 4. Local Figure 8. Proportions of investment expenditures of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship tertiary units 2 and 28 (as %) Communes Mnpp Districts Voivodeship Board source: Report on the influence of the global recession on the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship socioeconomic position and its consequences for the tasks of the voivodeship management University of Szczecin. Szczecin. April 29. In 28 a slight decrease in the dynamics in the upward trend of the actual expenditures for all of the tertiary units in the voivodeship (excluding the districts). Adopting the assumption of a certain similarity in the occurrence of incomes attained by the tertiary units during the periods of slower economic growth and by analyzing the occurrence of actual incomes in the previous economic slowdown period during the period in can be assumed that a significant decrease in these incomes will be observed in 21 and 211. Within the voivodeship administration in 28 nearly 12 thousand people were employees, which constituted 5.4% of local assets in the whole of the country and places the region in 1th place. 19

20 5. Health Care 2.5. Health Care The Heath Care system of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship is composed of varied and complex structures of public and non-public entities providing health services relating to the primary health care, specialist outpatient medical care, hospital treatment and emergency medical services. There were 37 outpatient hospitals and 17 long-term care facilities operating in the Voivodeship at the end of 28. The Voivodeship Government is the proprietor of 15 health care centres including 1 emergency station, 3 specialist outpatient clinics and 11 hospital units. 8 specialist hospitals, 1 spa hospital, 1 drug abuse clinic and 1 health and curative institution. The number of doctors, dentists, nurses and community midwifes decreased during 24 to 28. The indicator per 1 inhabitants decreased for doctors from 25.4 to 2.6 and became equal to the national average, for dentists the indicator decreased from 5.4 to 4.2 and exceeds the national average (3.4), for nurses from 44.5 to 42.4 and is lower than national average (47.9) and for midwifes from 5. to 5.1 and is also lower than national average (5.6). The primary health care services in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship was rendered by 947 doctors (average 5.6 per 1 inhabitants) and 146 nurses and midwifes (on the average 8.3 per 1 inhabitants, with the country value of 8.) in 28. The highest indicator of doctors of the primary health care services was noted In the Białogard district (8.1), in Świnoujście city (6.6) and in Szczecin and Gryfino district (6.5), the west in the Koszalin (2.9) and Wałcz (3.1) districts. Specialist outpatient care In the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship operates mainly on the basis of diagnostic and treatment resources of specialist health care centres and hospitals. Sole medical practitioners have greater share in providing specialist outpatient medical services. The total number of public and non public specialist outpatient clinics amounts to in the voivodeship. There is a clear discrepancy between the indicator of the number of hospital beds in hospitals per 1 inhabitants. Szczecin (81.5 beds), Koszalin (43.4) and Gryfice (74.2) and Choszczno districts (67.1) were in the most advantageous situation in 28, the most difficult situation was observed in Gryfino (1.3), Łobesko and in Kamieniec districts (16.). The value of the hospital beds indicator in general hospitals per 1 inhabitants of 44.2 in 28 placed the region in 7 th place in the country. Medical rescue service operates by means of 7 ambulance stations which are substantially differentiated regarding resources and the area of operation in the voivodeship. The largest of the stations is the Regional Ambulance Station in Szczecin which encompasses 15 districts. All stations have 8 medical rescue teams at their disposal including 38 specialist and 42 primary medical rescue teams. One rescue team services 21 thousand inhabitants on average, however in Police district the indicator amounts to 33 thousand inhabitants and in Kamieniec district less than 12 thousand. The Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship belongs to the group of regions with the greatest numbers of spas and spa hospitals which are localised mainly at the seaside (52 facilities with 9422 beds available). The greatest numbers of patients from Poland and from abroad are received in Świnoujście, Kamień Pomorski and Połczyn Zdrój and also in Kołobrzeg which is the largest Polish resort. The region is placed as the first in Poland hosting 22.45% of all spa hospitals patients. The newborns fatality indicator per 1 births amounted to 7.8 in the Voivodeship (6.8 in Poland) which placed the Voivodeship 12th place in Poland in 24. There had been substantial improvement in the region up till 28. The indicator in the Zachodniopomorskie amounted to 5.1 (5.6 in Poland) which placed the Voivodeship 5th. The percentage of births with low birth weight in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship exceeds the national indicator (6.1) and amounts 7.. The lifespan of the region s inhabitants lengthens gradually and is 7.6 for men and 79.6 for women. The main causes of deceases are cancers and cardiovascular and 2

21 5. Health Care respiratory system diseases. The number of patients being treated in the outpatient health care centre, health and curative institution as well as nursing and curative clinics increases. The number of patients of hospitals and children in care of social care facilities is also growing. The queue of people waiting for admission to the Day Care Center grew from 12 persons in 25 to 274 in 28. Adjusting activities are carried out to comply with the binding provisions of law especially in relation to the modernisation of infrastructure and equipment of the health care facilities. The financial needs of the facilities in the latter matter are enormous. For many years so far, the Voivodeship has financed the ventures which could not be carried out by the Heath care centres by themselves by greatly contributing to the improvement of the quality of rendered medical services. As far as the Regional Operational Programme there are 5 investments qualified in the area of Heath care with the trans-regional importance. The Voivodeship local- appointed a total of thousand PLN for the programmes of heath prevention and by large for prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases as well as HIV and AIDS since 24. Challenges: In the nearest future the system of Heath care will be shaped by the following factors: developing ageing tendency of the society and demographic indicators, increase of contracting and mortality because of the ageing diseases, the forecast increase in the shortage of medical specialists, systematic fluctuations in the number and structure of hospital beds, insufficient number of places for hospital and psychiatric treatment, the level of heath care services financing, transformations and commercialising the facilities. The most important challenge becomes the improvement of society health condition expressed by the lengthened lifespan indicators and decreasing the distance between Poland and the developer countries of the European Union In the area of Heath care. Long term hospital and palliative care requires special attention. The growing population of elder people and the people acquiring chronic diseases will require better access to specialist services and benefits. The necessity to lower mortality and fatality caused by metastasizing cancer, cardiovascular diseases, injuries and accidents and newborn mortality. Health care should be adjusted to the dynamics of longterm demographic and epidemiologic trends. Financing the Health care services and allocation of resources should be based on the same rule of optimal quality. The indispensable development of education and personal improvement of medical personnel, including maintenance of equal and systematically expanded intake for doctor specialisations. It is necessary to introduce modern diagnostic and treatment Technologies, continuous renewal of equipment and premises renewal and implementing modernisation improving sanitary conditions of hospital wards. Equal Access to medical emergency services soul be provided and steps should be taken to maintain the advantageous conditions which allow for continua spa treatment. The increase of efficiency of the engaged resources will result in reduction of the number of the facilities in the future. The programmes realised by the local of the Voivodeship are of character of long term investments process In the Heath of inhabitants. The most substantial effects are increasing social engagement, increasing the level of knowledge and first of all increasing the number of competent performers of the preventive activities and the number of available programmes in this field. 21

22 6. Culture 2.6. Culture The main cultural centres of the Voivodeship are Szczecin and Koszalin with the seat of almost all theatres, music halls and most of the museums. The saturation and the condition of the cultural institutions in the region are very differentiated. The shortages are visible predominantly in the rural areas, far from the large cities. In the smaller towns, apart from the difficulties with the access to the cultural institutions a low culture related awareness of the inhabitants and the lack of habitual participation in cultural life can be noticed. The low level of cultural potential is also contributed to by poor condition of the infrastructure and insufficient number of initiatives taken up the inhabitants or the local animators of culture. A library is often the main centre of culture in the rural area and the community centres or cultural facilities, where its basic function is to enable the inhabitants to take part in various forms of culture in small towns and villages, do not meet all the existing needs. There are 427 facilities and community centres, clubs and youth centres, in the region, as well as 482 libraries and library services points including 324 in the country. The readers from the rural areas constitute only 2% of the total number of readers. The worrying phenomenon is the dropping number of readers and book renting. The average number of books an inhabitant of the Voivodeship rents a year is 18 books (in the whole country it is 22). The number of readers per 1 inhabitants dropped from the value of 195 in 24 to 167 people in 28. The level of computerisation of the district libraries is low. There are 6 drama theatres, 1 puppet theatre, 1 music theatre and 2 music halls which have in total 961 seats in the audiences. There were performances and concerts which were seen by over 477 spectators, in 28. The number of spectators and listeners of theatres and music institutions per 1 inhabitants amounted to the value of 282 persons per one performance or a concert. There are 22 museums operating in the area of the Voivodeship including among others: 11 regional, 5 historical, 2 natural museums the museums were visited by 36 people and 3% of them were organised parties of local youth in 28. Among 15 galleries presenting the modern art there are 8 which belong to the public sector. The number of visitors of the exhibitions amounted to a total of 86 people. The European Museum Nights organised since 25 are becoming increasingly popular and are more and more frequented. The network of cinemas includes 24 facilities and 36 projection halls where 19 and 31 are in cities correspondingly. The indicator of the cinema spectators per 1 inhabitants amounts to 819 people. The Voivodeship is placed 1th regarding the number of spectators and listeners in theatres and music institutions and 8th considering the number spectators in cinemas. Attendance at cinemas is close to the national average. The multitude of cultural heritage is composed of the historical premises situated in the whole region. Among them the following are of special importance: monumental sacral architecture: - Cathedral complex in Kamień Podolski - Former chapel of Knights Templar in Chwarszczany - ST. Mary s church in Stargard Szczeciński - Former Cistercian complex in Kołbacz - St. John Church in Szczecin Sacral facilities in the country: - Church in Dzisna Przybiernów commune - Church in Ciekarnice commune - Church in Ostre Bardo Połczyn Zdrój commune - Church in Moryń 22

23 6. Culture - Church in Brzesk, Pyrzyce commune Mansion facilities: - KsiąŜąt Pomorskich Castle in Szczecin - Manor house in Świerzno - Castle in Krąg, Polanów commune - Palace in Pęzin, Stargard Szczeciński commune - Castle in Tuczno urban complexes: - Old town complex in Darłowo - Old town complex in Trzebiatów - Complex of Wały Chrobrego in Szczecin - Complex of city walls together with post Augustine and St. Mary s church with city Hall in Chojno Public utility facilities: - Town Hall in Nowe Warpno - Town Hall (museum at present) in Stargard Szczeciński - Town Hall in Trzcińsko - Zdrój - Railway stadium in Białogard Historic green areas - Main cemetery In Szczecin - Park in Przelewice The variety of the historic facilities in the region also includes the residential buildings, with the characteristic post and beam housings, city walls, landscape structures, manor parks and farm houses as well as former military buildings. Technical condition of many of the buildings requires them to be renovated The cultural attractions of the larger cities of the Voivodeship are rich and varied. Apart from the state institutions there are numerous organisations and associations operating in the area which undertake ventures of the regional and national scale. Regional artists work, cooperation, dialog and cultural variety are supported. The number and variety of events and happenings enable wide audiences to participate in them. There is the necessity of enhancing the offer and improving the access to culture for inhabitants, as well as tourists visiting the voivodeship, mainly from Germany. The biggest and the most well known cultural events taking place in the Voivodeship are among others, organ festivals in and Kamień Pomorski, Świnoujście, Koszalin and Szczecin, Ińsk Summer Film Festival In Ińsk, International Meeting of youth Theatre OKNO, Polish Review of Small Forms Theatres Kontrapunkt, Competition of Tenors, Spring Guitar Concerts, Requiem on the Main Cemetery, Street Artists Festival, Polish Ballet Competition, Szczecin Music Fest and Days of the Sea In Szczecin, Art. Festival of University Youth FAMA and International Festival of Sea Songs Wiatrak In Świnoujście, Jacek Kaczmarski Festival of Poetic Songs Nadzieja In Kołobrzeg, International Festival of Choir Songs and International Festival of Stars In Międzyzdroje, Vikings Festival In Wolin, Folk, Blues & Country Festival in Sułomino, Festival of Film Debuts Młodzi i Film, European Film Festival Integracja Ty i ja and Word Festival of Polonia Choirs in Koszalin. 23

24 6. Culture Challenges: The main objective in the area of culture and protection of its assets is an intellectual and civilisation development of Zachodniopomorskie society as well as systematic increase of cultural potential of the region. It assumes wide and close cooperation of the local s and non-al organisations dealing with animation of cultural life of small towns and rural areas. Their involvement in spreading culture and encouraging participation in the cultural life is predominantly necessary in the area far from agglomerations and thus endangered with social exclusion. The model of participating of society in culture life gradually undergoes changes. The Internet, as the channel of circulation of art pieces and information will be playing greater role in this matter. 24

25 7. Education 2.7. Education The structure of education system and the educational profile of inhabitants are derived from the demographic processes and cultural and economic changes in the region. The consequence is the necessity of continuous modernising of the education system and that poses great financial challenges to all levels of the Voivodeship local-. The accessibility of pre-school education is not sufficient in the region. There are 26 preschool facilities operating in the Voivodeship (225 in cities and 4 in the rural areas) and 358 preschool departments at primary schools. The decreasing number of preschool facilities is accompanied by the increasing number of children attending the preschool departments. Until 2 27 facilities were closed down and the number of children in preschool facilities increased by 3.7 thousand. Using preschool departments has marginal importance. Only.74% of children in the preschool age attend 15 of preschool departments localised in 1 districts of the voivodeship. 92% of the six-years-old children in the Voivodeship are involved in the compulsory preschool preparation: in preschool facilities and 7 33 in preschool departments at primary schools. Among 3-5 year old children 44.93% attend a preschool facility as opposed to 49.26% of total in Poland. The indicator of preschool care involvement in various forms (preschool facility, preschool departments at primary schools, groups of preschool education and preschool points) per 1 people at the age of 3-5 in the Voivodeship amounts to 474. There are less than 3% children in preschool age attend in Gryfice, Łobsk, Pyrzyce, Świdwin, Koszalin and Sławno districts. Map 2. The share of children in preschool facilities as the total number of children of 3 5 years of age in 28 source: Own work on the basis of BDR GUS data. 25

26 7. Education The decrease in the population in the school age group is related to the gradual decrease in the number of pupils on particular levels of education. The situation forces different way of taking up reorganising action in the education facilities. The indicators of widespread of providing education on the primary and gymnasium levels belong to the highest in Poland and they are quite varied within the voivodeship. The factors which influence the indicator are the accessibility of school (predominantly in the rural area) conditions of teaching, equipment and technical condition of the facilities and material situation of pupils. Indicators of educational gross 8 on the level of primary school amounted to 1.83% in 24 and 97.52% in 28, on the gymnasium level % in 24 and 11.97% in 28. There are 32 schools operating in the Voivodeship and art facilities of primary and secondary school level. They are mainly music schools located both in large cities, in Szczecin, Koszalin, Świnoujście and in Stargard as well as in smaller towns such as Białogard Gryfice Myślibórz and Choszczno students of the last grade of gimnasium sat the gimnasium examination in the region in 29. The average result of the examination in the public schools was 56.3 and in non-public schools The difference in the part of humanities subjects was about 3 points and in the science subjects part was about 6 points in favour of the non-public schools. The students from large cities deal with the exams the best, the weakest results in the gimansum students of village schools who acquired an average of points against the average 6.96 points of their peers from the cities (over 1 thousand inhabitants). The students from the in the rural areas acquired less than half the possible points in the mathematical part of the exam (23.19 out of 5), in the humanities subjects points. The students of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship acquired the lowest results in the district in 29. In the particular part of the examination the results were lower than the average for the region and only in the humanities subjects part they were better than the results of students of Wielkopolskie Voivodeship. Figure 9. The results of gimnasium examinations in points in the voivodeships in the region in 29 Humanities Mathematics and natural sciences Whole examination points ,22 56,7 56,43 56,53 31,17 31,4 31,28 31,12 25,5 25,65 25,13 25,41 Zachodniopomorskie Wielkopolskie Lubuskie Okręg source: Own work on the basis of OKE Poznań. 8 Gross scolarisation indicator is the relation of the number of people in education (at the beginning of the academic year) at a given level of education (regardless of age) to the number of people (as of 31 XII) in an age group defined as corresponding to that educational level. 26

27 7. Education In 1 districts of the voivodeship, including Szczecin the results of the humanities subject part were lower than the Voivodeship average, whereas in the 11 districts the exceeded the average for a region and for the whole country. The best results were attained by the students in districts Łobesko, Kamień Pomorski and in the city Koszalin, the worst results had the students in districts Wałcz, Białogard and Koszalin. In the mathematic and nature part of the examination the Zachodniopomorskie gimnasium students achieved average of It was the lowest result in Poland. The better results than the Voivodeship average were achieved by students in Koszalin (the best result in this part of examination in the whole voivodeship), Szczecin and Świdwin and Kołobrzeg districts. The results of gimnasium students from Koszalin, Szczecin and Świdwin district were also higher than the average for the region and the whole country. The least points were achieved by the students in Gryfino, Wałcz and Choszczno districts The high schools are still more popular than the remaining types of secondary, postgymnasium schools. The indicator of scolarisation gross for high schools was almost 59% in 28, for vocational schools and vocation related schools it was 37.1%, and for Basic Vocational School was abort 16%. It can be noticed that the increase in popularity of the Basic vocational schools which give qualification towards a specific profession and faculty in demand not only in the region but also in the open labour market of the EU countries. Dramatic decrease of the number of specialised secondary school which provides only general vocational knowledge is characteristic for the whole country. Figure 1. The number of upper secondary school students in in the Voivodeship Thousands High School Technical colleges, including supplementary techniques and general arts schools providing vocational education Secondary School 1 Fundamental vocational school 5 25/26 26/27 27/28 28/29 source: Own work on the basis of GUS data. High School with a specific profile The system of vocational education in the Voivodeship consists of 7 basic vocational schools, 139 technical high schools (together with the technical high schools and art high schools providing vocational qualifications) 41 specialised high schools and 143 postsecondary schools. Out of 7 67 people sitting the examination of professional preparation for the first time in 28 only 4 92 people passed the examination. The diploma was awarded to 53.35% of students with the average for the region which was 53.94%. The higher results of the exams in all types of vocational schools were achieved by the students who were educated in cities over 1 inhabitants. The Diploma was granted to only 25% of students of technical high schools located in the country and almost 35% of the people who was passing the examination in the postsecondary schools in cities up to 2 thousand inhabitants. 27

28 7. Education Figure 11. Pass rate of vocational examinations in districts of the Voivodeship in comparison to the region in 28 Percentage 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,, Szczecin drawski source: Own work on the basis of OKE Poznań data. District value - 53,94 Koszalin białogardzki choszczeński Świnoujście szczecinecki świdwiński wałecki myśliborski stargardzki kamieński pyrzycki gryfiński koszaliński kołobrzeski sławieński łobeski goleniowski policki gryficki wielkopolskie zachodniopomorskie lubuskie The structure of specialisation of the graduates of the basic vocational schools mainly can be found cooks, shop assistants, mechanics and car electro-mechanics, locksmiths, carpenters, electricians, fitters. Among the graduates of the secondary vocational schools and postsecondary schools technicians of catering technology, beauty services technicians, mechanics, economists, and tradesmen prevail. The vast group is constituted by the graduates of professions related to administration, tourism, hotel management and organising catering services. The graduates of vocational schools, predominantly shop assistants, technician s economists, cooks, catering and household technicians, mechanics, technicians and builders are the majority of people registered as unemployed in the voivodeship. Zachodniopomorskie market does not generate the graduates of the professions sufficient number of stable work places and at the same time they are the most popular faculties taught in vocational schools. The areas and sectors of the largest development and employment potential in which workplaces will be generated are heath care and social services, environment protection, computer science, telecommunications, information technologies, advanced services and financial operations, production and services, as well as tourism, education and culture. The maturity examination was passed by 79.4% of the Zachodniopomorskie undergraduates in 29 competing to the value of 78.7% for the whole region. The subjects students of the region most often chose to pass were civic studies, geography and biology. The maturity examination undergraduates in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship achieved the highest results in mathematical and nature related subjects both on the basic and extended level as well. The humanities are selected by more than half students passing maturity exams. About more than ¼ of the students decide to pass physics, biology and chemistry and they are students usually achieving the best results on the maturity examination. 28

29 7. Education Figure 12. The results in points of the maturity examination of humanities, mathematical and science subjects at the basic level in 29 points Zachodniopomorskie Wielkopolskie Lubuskie ,5 3 51,7 55,7 59,2 62,7 51,8 55,8 51 5,6 54,1 49,549,6 53,553,4 43,743,9 45,845,7 49 4,2 43,8 44,3 45,2 48,2 2 1 Polish Language Geography History Social studies source: Own work on the basis of OKE Poznań data. Biology Chemistry Physical and astronomy Mathematics The highest score of the maturity examination had the students of high schools, worse the students of specialised secondary school and complementary schools. In six districts of the Voivodeship the level of passing the exams exceeded the Voivodeship average and in case of seven the level exceeded the regional one. In the Koszalin district passing was the lowest: only less than half the students passed the maturity examination. The score acquired on the examination is clearly differentiated throughout the voivodeship. The differences in points between city schools and the facilities in the rural areas having worse scores differ from 1 to even 3 points. Moreover, the students taking the maturity examination in smaller towns more often choose the subjects on the extender level, as in 29 when there was no student in schools in the country who was passing the examination in extender level in mathematics, physics, chemistry and history. There are 22 public and non-public high schools operating in the region. The selection of the studies is stable, among which the most popular seem to be social science, economics, administration, and in slightly less degree humanities, pedagogy, law, medical studies and computer science. The indicator of the number of students of the science and technical studies, including biology, physics, mathematics and statistics, information technology, engineering and technology, production and processing, architecture and civil engineering is advantageous. The number of students taking up social science and slipping services studied considerably exceeds the national average. 29

30 7. Education Figure 13. The student of high schools according to the type of studies per 1 inhabitants in 28 safety and security social care journalism and IT arts environment protection agricultural, forestry and fishing services for individuals legal transport services medical humanities teaching economics and administration social science and technology,97,94,85 1,14 5,73 3,71 6,87 4,96 6,99 5,62 9,21 7, 19,51 13,7 15,71 13,3 4,62 16,66 27,42 28,7 31,6 47,48 41,22 68,77 59,64 67,92 14,62 119,31 Polska Zachodniopomorskie 117,81 111, source: Own work on the basis of GUS data. The groups of studies types according to the International Standard Classification ISCED 97. In 28 there were 78 people studying in the Voivodeship including 43 women, 17 people graduated from the studies facilities including 11 women. The most people study at The Szczecin University and Zachodniopomorskie Technical University founded in 29 as a result of merging Szczecin Technical University and the Academy of Agriculture. Koszalin Technical University is the greatest and the most noble educational facility in Koszalin, which educates students in faculties such as environmental studies, humanities and fine arts. The number of high schools in the Voivodeship still considerably outstands from the level of the regions, however in this indicator per 1 inhabitants decreased from 532 to 462, dropping to the level below the national average (51). 3

31 7. Education Figure 14. Higher education students per 1 inhabitants in particular voivodeships during Polska mazowieckie małopolskie dolnoślaskie zachodniopomorskie łódzkie lubelskie wielkopolskie świętokrzyskie pomorskie śląskie podlaskie warmińsko-mazurskie kujawsko-pomorskie lubuskie podkarpackie opolskie source: Own work on the basis of BDR GUS data. The decrease was the result of the people of demographic low reaching age of studies on one hand and the facto of choosing university level schools in the other region of Poland by the graduates of high school on the other hand as a result of implementation in Poland of more flexible system of enrolment to university level facilities. Currently, the academic level schools lead extensive promotion campaigns in order to entourage prospective students to take up studies at the offered faculties. The high education institutions try to adjust the syllabuses to educate students to the requirements of work market. In the number of branches and consultation facilities of the institutions in the Voivodeship decreased from 24 to 21. The indicator of continuing education, which was 5.2% in 24 and 5.5% in 28, places the region second in Poland following the Mazowieckie Voivodeship. People working and willing to raise their vocational qualifications rather than the unemployed with low vocational qualifications tend to choose continuing education programmes. Challenges: In the nearest future the number of people at pre-working age is expected to fall which will result in the diminishing number of students on the all levels of education. The demographic changes will be accompanied by transformations in the structure of education facilities, education system and the interests of pupils and students in particular forms and faculties. In order to direct the choices concerning future education appropriately of the youth and the future professional life of the graduates it is necessary to make vocational counselling widely available, beginning with gymnasiums and provide support for academic offices of careers. It is necessary to assure wider and better availability of pre school facilities, especially in the context of compulsory pre-school education for the five-years-old and school education for the six-years-old. The activities which improve the level of education measured by the scores of external examinations seem to be of key importance. The challenge is also keeping the most talented students and encouraging them to educate in the institutions of higher education in the region. 31

32 8. Labour market 2.8. Labour market In spite of the improvement on the Zachodniopomorskie labour market resulting from the general change of the national macroeconomic standing there has been unsatisfactory entrepreneurship activity in the region: High level of unemployment, low level of employment and very high professional inactivity. The negative phenomena in Zachodniopomorskie and especially on the Szczecin labour market was the bankruptcy of great factories. The following entities ceased their activity since 1989: Przedsiębiorstwo Połowów Dalekomorskich i Usług Rybackich Gryf, Przedsiębiorstwo Przemysłowo-Usługowe Rybołówstwa Morskiego Transocean, Fabryka Włókien Sztucznych Chemitex-Wiskord, two clothing production companies Dana and Odra, Huta Szczecin, Papiernia Skolwin, Bank Morski, Stocznia Szczecińska Nowa. Stopping production and redundancies had impact on the numerous smaller cooperating entities in particular related to the sea economy sector. Mentioning the above, there is not only stable supply of the unemployed on the local labour market but also vivid supply of highly specialised experts whose chances to find new jobs without retraining seem to be limited. The unemployment rate acc. to BAEL in the Voivodeship decreased from 23.8% in 24 to 9.6% in 28, at the national average amount correspondingly 18.8% and 6.7%. Despite so substantial decrease unemployment in the Voivodeship remains one of the highest in Poland. Figure 15. Economic activity of the voivodeship inhabitants during employment indicator professional activity ratio unemployment rate (right axis) , 2, 15, 1, 5,, source: Own work on the basis of BDR GUS data. The coefficient of vocational development amounts to 5.4% in the region and is the lowest in the whole country. The average value for Poland is 54.2%. The employment indicator is also the lowest in Poland and is at 45.6%. 32

33 8. Labour market Figure 16. Economic activity of the inhabitants in particular voivodeships in 28 professional activity ratio employment indicator BAEL unemployment rate (right axis) 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,, zachodniopomorskie dolnośląskie kujawsko-pomorskie lubelskie świętokrzyskie podkarpackie warmińsko-mazurskie łódzkie śląskie opolskie lubuskie podlaskie małopolskie wielkopolskie mazowieckie pomorskie 12, 1, 8, 6, 4, 2,, source: Own work on the basis of BDR GUS data. Most of unemployed are educated to the level of gimnasium, primary or lower as well as basic vocational level and people who do not have any work record and vocational qualifications. More than half of the unemployed are permanently unemployed, remaining without work more than a year. Both low education level and qualifications which do not meet the employers expectations and long periods of remaining outside the labour market greatly hinders the unemployed vocational development. As the level of numerous benefits and social care transfers is comparable to the wages creates additional encouragement to remain unemployed or take up employment off the books. One of the worst problems of the region seems to be extremely high unemployment (also hidden) in the rural areas which was as high as 13.2% in 29. The greatest variety in the level of unemployment remains between Szczecin agglomeration and the rest of the region. Figure 17. Unemployment rate recorded in the sub-regions of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Stargard sub-region Koszalin sub-region City of Szczecin sub-region Szczecin sub-region source: Own work on the basis of BDR GUS data. Spatial complexity of the situation on the local labour markets have impact on the development opportunities, and in the further perspective on the pace of economic growth of 33

34 8. Labour market the whole voivodeship. The most difficult situation concerns Stargard subregion. The unemployment in the subregion is the highest despite numerous investments and encouraging activities of the local entrepreneurs to increase employment. The turn of 29/21 brought an unexpected impairment of the labour market situation caused by the world economic recession. The recorded unemployment rate in the region was 16,5% in 29 and in February of 21 it was 18%, in Marc hit dropped to the value of 17,7%. At the beginning of 21 there was increase of the number of the recorded unemployed in the voivodeship. In the first months of 21 the rate was much higher than in the same period in 29. The strength as well as opportunity of the labour market in the Voivodeship is one of the highest in Poland share of the employed in the services sector with considerable low employment in agriculture. This structure of employment does not really differ from the structures of the economically developed countries. Vast share of the employed in services is observed in Szczecin as well as in Koszalin and in Świnoujście. Figure 18. The percentage of the employed in particular economic sectors in the scope of the Voivodeship in 28 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% % mazowieckie zachodniopomorskie pomorskie dolnośląskie services industry agriculture lubuskie śląskie małopolskie warmińsko-mazurskie opolskie kujawsko-pomorskie wielkopolskie łódzkie podkarpackie podlaskie lubelskie świętokrzyskie source: Own work on the basis of BDR GUS data. Many activates aiming at soothing the detrimental effect of unemployment and developing the local labour market have been taken up since 24, involving both Polish and with the major support of European Union funds. The public social labour services were improved and strengthened. The unemployed received numerous possibilities of taking advantage of the activities raising the opportunities of employment including numerous encouraging programmes, trainings or retraining courses. The inhabitants of the rural areas were also included in the support project. The activities performed in the social integration, education and occupation domains were aimed for the people supported by the social services and threatened with poverty and social exclusion. The people who started their own entrepreneurship were granted a one-time financial support strengthening at the same time the local entrepreneurship and self employment. Strategies and tools for quick response increase of occurrence economic changes. The ventures their employees who were affected with the processes of economic transformations were given support, predominantly the elderly and without appropriate qualifications. As the Szczecin Shipyards Nowa went bankrupt the stabilising and protective activities were conducted by the Government, however its scale can be assessed as insufficient. Special purpose Road Act eased the first impact of the shipyard bankruptcy and 34

35 8. Labour market the compensation for redundancies was granted from the Employment Fund Contribution. Only a slight percentage of the employees made redundant took advantage of the programmes of retraining which was especially prepared. The bankruptcy of the shipyard, another large factory in the region converged with the time of the world financial crisis. The strategic challenge for the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship is adjusting the training offer vocational education in the region to match the current and the future needs of the market. Shaping the labour market it is necessary to aim at vocational development of the rural areas inhabitants, especially in the eastern part of the voivodeship. It is crucial to support the existing and creating new workplaces in the Koszalin subregion and facilitate access to education, especially in the poorest areas of the region. Equally important is to provide support for people over 5 years old, who are less attractive from the point of view of employers as prospective employees because they lack sufficient vocational qualifications and education. The main challenge for the regional work market is filling the gap after bankruptcy of the Szczecin shipyard Nowa and shortage of orders for the cooperating companies. 35

36 9. Economy 2.9 Economy In the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship in 28 there were registered economic entities, amounting to 5.7% of all companies in Poland. Similar to other regions, actual business activities are conducted by 45% of the registered firms. Taking into consideration the number of registered companies per 1 inhabitants, the voivodeship is in 1st place in Poland with an indicator value of and the national average being In the region, leading districts are: Kołobrzeski (178.1), Koszalin (172.2) and Świnoujście (169.9). The process of ownership right transformation is slower than in other voivodeships. During 199 up to the middle of 29 in entailed 295 state companies, which was 56.19% of all of the companies and was the lowest result in the country. In 199, in the voivodeship, the highest number of state companies per 1 inhabitants were located. The region's economy is mainly based on production facilities. As of the 31 st of December 28, the National Treasury was a shareholder in 55 companies, whereby in 26 of those its share did not exceed 5% and 25 companies were single ownership companies of the State Treasury. Figure 19. The number of registered economic entities per 1 inhabitants in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship in relation to analogous sizes in Poland and other voivodeships in All 1,28 Micro 1,29 Small,95 Medium 1,2 Large,8,2,4,6,8 1 1,2 1,4 Position in the voivodeship ranking source: own work based on BDR GUS data. Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship has the most fragmented structure of company sizes in Poland. The number of micro-companies per 1 inhabitants is 129% of the national average. The concentration of small (in total entities in 28) and medium (1 331 entities in 28) does not differ significantly from the national averages. Whereas the share of large companies, of which in 28 there were 167 (8% of the average national density) is significantly lower than in other regions. What s more, their number decreased from 24 by 1%, whilst in Poland the decrease was 1.5%. 36

37 9. Economy Table 1. Basic structural data for sectors in the voivodeship and Poland in 27 sectors no. of companies working added value * Poland Zachodniopomorskie Poland Zachodniopomorskie Poland Zachodniopomorskie agriculture 2,55% 2,86% 15,97% 8,8% 4,25% 4,49% industry 1,35% 8,5% 23,16% 22,% 24,23% 17,85% construction 1,65% 11,18% 5,8% 6,65% 5,94% 6,68% trade 41,41% 41,1% 16,41% 17,85% 28,23% 3,53% services 35,2% 35,9% 38,63% 44,68% 37,34% 4,45% * 26 data source: own work based on BDR GUS data. In individual regions during the number of economic entities of the national economy in total increased with the exception of the city of Szczecin subregion, where a slight decrease occurred of 135 entities. The largest growth (by about 8%) was observed in the Stargard and Szczecin sub regions, where the number of entities per 1 inhabitants is the smallest. Figure 2. National economy entities in total and per 1 inhabitants according to sub regions in 28 entities in total Koszalin sub-region Stargard sub-region City of Szczecin subregion source: own work based on BDR GUS data. entities per 1 thousand inhabitants (right axis) Szczecin sub-region entities per 1 inhabitants Out of 35 companies listed on the main floor of the Warsaw Stock Exchange only two are registered in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship - Zakłady Chemiczne Police S.A. and Koszalińskie Przedsiębiorstwo Przemysłu Drzewnego S.A. in Szczecinek. Their share in the total capital value of the companies on the Polish stock exchange is.2%. On the New Connect stock exchange, the Read-Gene S.A. company is listed, with a capital value of 2.1% of the whole stock exchange. As a result of ownership changes, consolidations and transfers and in particular transferring or liquidating of centers, the voivodeship s capital is losing its pan-regional character. Szczecin is no longer the seat for Pomorski Bank Kredytowy. Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship is being missed out during locating the headquarters of national or pan-regional importance as an example the inclusion of the Zespół Elektrowni Dolna Odra into the newly established PGE energy group. In North-West Poland, Szczecin is losing headquarters and hubs of infrastructure and energy companies mostly to Poznań, for example: Enea, Wielkopolska Spółka Gazownictwa, Orlen regional management and railway companies. 37

38 9. Economy In a report compiled by The Gdańsk Institute for Market Economics the voivodeship went up to 6 th place in 29. Transport accessibility and investor's support are deemed to be the voivodeship's biggest assets. Figure 21. Evaluation of investment attractiveness of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship in 29* Voivodeships investment attractiveness Labour costs and availability 3 3 Transport availability 3 Voivodeship investor activities Markets 3 3 Economic infrastructure 3 Social infrastructure 3 General safety 3 * summary according to indicator importance Position in the voivodeship ranking source: own work based on the Investment attractiveness of the voivodeships and sub-regions of Poland in 29 report IBnGR, Gdańsk 29. Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship is seen in a much better light by the investors themselves. In 27 the value of their investments reached 9 million Euro. In 28 such investors as GaveKal Analytics Polska sp. z o.o. (initially 2 and a target of 5 people employed in the R&D and data verification centre), the British company Valassis (from 16 up to a target of 3 employees in a data processing centre), international bank UniCredit (a target of 45 employees in a regional competence centre) have been attracted to the region. In 29 the largest investment in Poland was Cargotec s a Finnish company s project. The enterprise with an estimated value of 64 million Euros, which aims to provide jobs to 4 people. The largest single investment in the recent years in the voivodeship is the tyre company, Bridgestone, locating their factory near Stargard Szczeciński. For the regional economy, exports are a significant source of incomes. In 27, entities from the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship region exported goods of total value in excess of 2.5 billion PLN. The largest share in exports went to industrial processing, which was characterized by the most dynamic growth during the period of evaluation. During its share exceeded 7% of the total exports value in the voivodeship. The second group, considering the size of exports was the transport, warehousing and communication industry from 5 to 15% of total exports. 38

39 9.1 Industry Industry Industrial processing in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship is based on energy, chemical, ship yards, forestry and furniture, construction and agricultural and food, including fishing industries. Up until now the main hubs of industrial facilities were located in the larger regional cities, however with the growth of industrial zones, a gradual dispersion of production and its location in communes on the outskirts of the cities is occurring, for example near Goleniów, Police, Stargard Szczeciński, Karlino and shortly near Gryfino and Dębno. Goleniów Industrial Park, the largest in the region, had 36 investment enterprises in 21. In 28 the sold industrial production in the voivodeship amounted to million PLN. The voivodeship industry had a 3.78% share of the total national employment in industry and provided 2.88% of the national industrial production value. Figure 22. Sold production in total per 1 inhabitant of the voivodeship as a percentage of the national production in % 65% 64% 63% 62% 61% 6% 59% 65,42% 65,22% 64,8% 62,52% 61,65% source: own work based on BDR GUS data. In 28 the largest value of sold industrial production was achieved in the Szczecin sub-region, where it amounted to million PLN. It should be noted that in the City of Szczecin sub-region the industrial production was almost half that size. Figure 23. Sold industrial production in total of the sub-regions in PLN million ,9 Koszalin subregion 2 475,1 Stargard subregion 5 438,4 1 36,5 City of Szczecin subregion Szczecin subregion source: own work based on BDR GUS data. 39

40 9.1 Industry In 27 in the voivodeship the largest production growth was achieved by companies from the following industries: forestry (by 32.%), furniture (by 24.8%) as well as companies manufacturing metal products (by 24.4%). At the end of 27 in the industrial sector people were employed, an increase of 5.9% on the previous year. From 24 the industrial employment in the voivodeship increased by 15.% whilst in the same period in the whole country in increased by 11.8% Industrial workers represent 28.6% of the total employment in the region. The sold production per 1 inhabitant in 27 reached the highest values in the following districts: Police (54.6 thousand PLN), Goleniów (53.3 thousand PLN) and Szczecin (26.9 thousand PLN). The voivodeship average was PLN which placed it in 12 th place in the country (national average 22.8 thousand PLN). Lowest values were reached in the districts of: Łobez and Choszczno, 3.3 and 4. thousand PLN correspondingly. Figure 24. Sold industrial production value per 1 inhabitant of the voivodeship in policki goleniowski szczecinecki Koszalin Szczecin wałecki świdwiński myśliborski pyrzycki kołobrzeski drawski koszaliński sławieński białogardzki Świnoujście Zachodniopomorskie gryficki stargardzki łobeski choszczeński source: own work based on BDR GUS data; GUS does not publish data re. sold industrial production per 1 inhabitant for the districts of Gryfino and Kamieniec. Large differences between the districts in the sold industrial production value per 1 inhabitant are connected with the distribution of the largest industrial facilities of the voivodeship. In Police and Szczecin districts, the size of industrial production was influenced mainly by the large value of the chemical industry production, mainly the Zakłady Chemiczne Police S.A. and Kronospan Szczecinek sp. z o.o and their dependant companies and contractors. On the other hand in the Goleniów district, together with the development of Goleniów Industrial Park, the best growth dynamics were achieved, with the sold industrial production value per 1 inhabitant increasing by 411% during Large increases were also observed in the city of Świnoujście (175%) and the districts of Drawsko (98%) and Pyrzyce (86%). Contractions were noted in the districts of Koszalin (12%) and city of Szczecin (9%). The shipbuilding and shipyard industry recession in Poland and the world economic slowdown will have the largest influence on the state of the economy in the voivodeship. The two fold (22 and 29) collapse of the largest ship yard in the region and the connected problems faced by its contractors, many of whom are located in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship show, that one cannot count on the stable ship yard industry to be the regional economy stabiliser. From November 28, a decrease in exports was observed as a result of the global recession. This trend cannot even be reversed by a relatively low value of the Polish currency. The most prone to suffer the effects of export failure in the region are: transport means 4

41 9.1 Industry production, forestry (including furniture production), chemical and computer and precision instruments manufacturing. Within the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship various support instruments are available, e.g.: Zachodniopomorskie Regionalny Fundusz Poręczeń Kredytowych, Regionalny Fundusz PoŜyczkowy Pomeranus, Fundusz Poręczeń Kredytowych POLFUND. Challenges: Activities aimed at industrial development in the voivodeship should be aimed at enlarging the existing and creating new investment zones and intense economic activity. These should be implemented mainly within the scope of increasing the investment attractiveness of the region as part of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Regional Operational Programme. The efforts should be concentrated on activating economical activities in communes where such zones are already in existence. They should be supplemented by financial support instruments for conducting economic activity, addressed at small and medium companies in the voivodeship. A large regional funs should be set up, concerned with load guarantees for small and medium enterprises and for reactivation programmes. A large credit and loan fund, functioning independently or in cooperation with smaller institutions, can in future to be the origin of a strong regional bank. 41

42 9.2 Trade and services Trade and services With the voivodeship s population, constituting 4.44% of the population of Poland, the shops within its borders constituted 5.4% of the national total, petrol stations 4.4%, market places 5.1%, restaurants 4.6%, bars 4.2% whereas canteens 7.5%. The wholesale of the voivodeship constituted 1.6% of the wholesale of Poland. The services industry provides the majority of jobs in the voivodeship with over 6% of the employed, most of them in the market services (e.g.: trade, transport, financial agents, hotels and catering). In 28 the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship was placed in 6 th position in the country with regards to the retail trade per one inhabitant, as compared to 9th place in 24. The value if these sales (1 589 PLN) was however lower than the Polish average of PLN. During a significant increase in the number of trade establishments was noted. Towards the end of 28, shops were active (by 2% more than in 24) and 447 petrol stations. An average of 81 inhabitants per one shop (1 in 24) with the national average of 13. During in the voivodeship the number of market places decreased from 119 to 116, but their total area increased from 568 thousand sq. m. to 589 thousand sq. m. At the end of 28, catering activity was conducted at 153 restaurants, 159 bars, 155 canteens and 126 catering points. Catering activity yielded an income of 433 million PLN and constituted 4.% of the incomes from catering in Poland. Similar to the rest of the country, shopping centres and large area shops are increasing in significance. This is linked to a changing lifestyle, time management and shopping together with eating out or entertainment. In 27 in the voivodeship there were 16 hypermarkets, with an average of inhabitants per one, with the national average of Figure 25. Number of inhabitants per hypermarket in the voivodeship in 27 number of inhabitants per 1 hypermarket source: own work based on BDR GUS data podkarpackie podlaskie number of inhabitants per 1 hy per-market lubelskie świętokrzyskie małopolskie wielkopolskie opolskie 8 warmińsko-mazurskie 13 number of hy per-markets (right axis) The number of newly opened trade establishments signals a strong growth of the retail trade, mainly small and medium shops with a slowdown of the wholesale trade. The above average number of catering establishments is a result of the transit and tourist character of the voivodeship. The over-representation of the canteen type establishments is a result of the strong influence of seasonal tourism on the voivodeship. The above average number of market places is a result of the border trade significance in the trade structure of the voivodeship zachodniopomorskie kujawsko-pomorskie mazowieckie lubuskie łódzkie pomorskie dolnośląskie śląskie number of hyper-markets 42

43 9.2 Trade and services Challenges: According to forecasts evaluating the effects of the economic crisis at the end of the first decade of the XXI century, in the voivodeship about 2 food trade establishments and about 1-15 medium and large clothing traders may fold. Apart from the closing down of existing establishments, many trading chains are stopping and rethinking expansion plans. This is a result of the current market situation for commercial premises, where their development has been halted due to lack of loans. For trading and service companies operating on the Polish-German border region, a significant factor in the uncertainty is the constantly changing PLN exchange rate. Until Poland joins the Euro Zone, trade and service companies long term planning will always bear the risk of currency exchange fluctuations. It should be remembered that shopping tourism is a two-way system. Only after the adoption by Poland of the common currency, will the differences in the legal and fiscal systems be the deciding factors in the profitability of goods and services exchange. One of the most serious challenges and a very big chance for Zachodniopomorskie trade is the constant and very dynamic growth of internet sales. It should be noted, that when it comes to e-trade, the region is not held back by its location at the outskirts of the country. Lack of geographical marginalization is evident, amongst others in the functioning of the courier rates for postal services. For companies in the Zachodniopomorskie operating in the border regions, this will mean that they will be able to conduct internet activities using warehouses located in Germany. Companies involved in e-trade will thus have access to a joint 12 million people Polish-German market at a relatively low cost. 43

44 9.3 Construction Construction The economic revival in was significant for the building industry. In 27 in Zachodniopomorskie the increase in employment in the construction industry was 7.5% at the same time, the wages in this industry in the region increased by 16%. 11.2% of the companies in the voivodeship were involved in the building industry. In 27, in the construction industry and related industries in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship 1 52 new economic entities were established and this was the largest growth of all industries. The sales of building and assembly production per one inhabitant in 28 was PLN, which places the voivodeship in 5 th place in the country, with the national average of PLN. During the value of building and assembly production per inhabitant in the voivodeship oscillated around the national average, and since 26 exceeding it slightly. Figure 26. Building and assembly production sales per one inhabitant in Poland and the voivodeship in Polska zachodniopomorskie source: own work based on BDR GUS data. From 24 the value of building and assembly production sales increased almost twofold to million PLN in 28. Regarding the share of the national sales, the region is located in 8 th place in Poland. It varies between 4 and 5% with an increasing trend. 44

45 9.3 Construction Figure 27. Building and assembly production in the voivodeship in (absolute value in million PLN and share in the national production) 7, PLN million percentage 4,94% 5,2% 6, 5, 4,91% 4,57% 5,% 4,8% 4, 3, 2, 1, 4,19% 2,9556 4,3% 3,3772 4,6195 5,444 6,7564 4,6% 4,4% 4,2% 4,%, ,8% source: own work based on BDR GUS data. In the number of permits issued for construction as a total floor space of structures increased. The share in the total number of permits in the country in that period increased from 3.16% to 4.66%, whereas the total square floor meterage in permits issued from 552 thousand sq. m. to 944 thousand sq. m. Figure 28. Building permits issued in the voivodeship in (floor space and share in the national permits) 1 square meters percentage 4,66% 5,% 4,26% 8 4,% 3,16% 3,3% 6 3,% ,% ,% ,% source: own work based on BDR GUS data. Challenges: The building industry of the region is characterized by a dispersion of the contractors and a weak capital situation of the companies. In developing the building industry in the voivodeship, the aim should be to create incentives for local companies to create chains, clusters and consortiums which will be able to compete with national and international companies. In the building industry, the ability to make use of the economic demand and the 45

46 9.3 Construction investment opportunities are particularly important. As an example the development of the tourist infrastructure in the coastal belt can be cited. Large infrastructure investments such as roads, at industrial parks or those linked with a reactivation of the residential housing are also an opportunity to support the building industry in the voivodeship. A significant role in the building and assembly industries will be played by the forthcoming construction of the Gasport in Świnoujście and the permanent link between the islands of Uznam a Wolin. 46

47 9.4 Agriculture Agriculture The basic characteristics of the Zachodniopomorskie agriculture is a large area of farms, low, favorable percentage of those employed in agriculture, high degree of automation and the orientation towards plant production and in particular grains, potatoes and sugar beets. Farms with large and proportionally centralized farming areas are dominant. Towards the end of 28 the average size of a farm in the voivodeship was ha, almost thrice more than the national average (1.2 ha). It is not only the highest in Poland, but above the European Union average. It is also noteworthy that 2% of the largest farms in the voivodeship are able to produce 2% of direct surpluses. The large area of farms creates possibilities to specialize, concentrate production and make use of economies of scale and produce large incomes. Profits gained by large farms allow the financing of machine purchases, fertilizer and planed protection products at a level which will compete with large scale farms in the European Union. In the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship, the largest average size of arable land at farms (24.11 ha can be observed, as compared to a value in the region of 34 ha in the Małopolskie and Podkarpackie Voivodeships. Therefore the region is characterized by a significantly lower number of tractors and harvesters per 1 ha of arable lands as well as the lowest indicator of rural commune road (about 21 km/1 sq. km. Figure 29. Average size of arable lands at farms in Poland and the voivodeship in 28 hectares ,68 22,81 19,67 18,48 17,46 15,35 14,79 13,36 11,96 Polska 8,37 7,34 7,34 6,55 5,33 4,41 3,75 zachodniopomorskie warmińsko-mazurskie lubuskie pomorskie opolskie dolnośląskie kujawsko-pomorskie wielkopolskie podlaskie mazowieckie lubelskie łódzkie śląskie świętokrzyskie podkarpackie małopolskie source: own work based on BDR GUS data. The Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship is characterized by a small number of agricultural and food processing facilities. Many of the semi-finished products produced in the voivodeship are processed outside of its borders, which has a particularly negative effect on the global value of agricultural production per ha of arable lands. Its global value in 28 reached PLN. This placed the voivodeship in last place of the country with a national average of PLN. The growth dynamics of this value in the region, at 21.9% was decidedly weaker than the Polish growth (33.%). During crops of grains in the region were similar to the national level, potato crops were above that and sugar beet crops were lower than average. At that time in the voivodeship grain crops decreased from 39.9 to 3.8 dt/ha (11 th place in the country), potato crops decreased from 23 to 215 dt/ha (3 rd place in the country) and sugar beet crops were unchanged at a level of 399 dt/ha in 24 and 4 dt/ha in 28 (15 th place in the country). Grain crops in 28 were at 95.7% of the national average, potato crops 112.2% and sugar beets at 86%. Gradually the growing area of energy crops is being enlarged. 47

48 9.4 Agriculture In 27 animal production constituted 45.5% of the agricultural production of the voivodeship. Both the population of farm animals and the production of meat and milk were below the national average. In the population of cattle per 1 ha of arable land increased from 9.8 to 1.8 pcs. (16 th place in the country). In 28 it constituted 31.4% of the average cattle population per 1 ha in the country. Between 24 and 28 the population of pigs in the region decreased from 72.4 to 4.9 pcs. per 1 ha of arable land (13 th place in the country), achieving the level of 46.4% of the average national production in 28. During the production of milk and slaughter animals remained almost unchanged. In 27 in the voivodeship 26 liters of milk were produced per hectare of arable land, which constituted 27.6% of the average national figure (16 th place in the country). Production of slaughter animals per one hectare of arable land was 166 kilograms, i.e.: 71.7% of the average national production (13 th place in the country). Challenges: A favorable agricultural area structure in the region has strong influences on the disappearing of development barriers and it allows for the concentration of the means of production and attaining high incomes. During the next few years this will be the decisive factor in the determination of the Zachodniopomorskie's producer s position in relation to farms in other countries of the European Union. The agriculture in the voivodeship has a unique opportunity to use economies of scale and at the same time to transplant the best examples from large farms in the EU and USA. The permission to work with additional genetically modified plants (GMO), the farming of which brings great profits to farms all over the world, within the borders of one EU member state, which translates into the whole EU could be of significant importance. The negative aspect of a too large a concentration of arable lands should be noted. Large share of entities registered outside of the region, together with a very intensive agricultural activity, may lead to a premature depletion of the agricultural assets of the region. Depending on the character of agricultural activity, the threshold after which a degradation of farms occurs is in the region of 3 to 5 ha. Together with an increase in ecological awareness, following the western countries, the consumption of ecological foods will increase. As a result an increase in ecological farms will be observed. These farms, currently few and far between in the region, are characterized by very high production profit margins and a very high growth potential. Within the region, the development of ecological producers' group s should be supported as well as the R&D at universities for local farms. The Zachodniopomorskie agriculture faces serious challenges in the form of a change in the relation between a high crop and a low production value per hectare. To change this, the production of animals and milk should be intensified. Any initiatives aiming to locate agricultural and food processing facilities in the voivodeship should be supported. The local system of bank and credit guarantees should also be supported as well as the development of local producers groups as a potential source of local capital procurement flowing into the agriculture and food industry. Not only have the conditions of the EU, but also of the whole world had an impact on the development outlook for agriculture in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship. It should be considered that the whole European Union, up until now protecting its domestic markets, is now under strong external pressure to open them up. Similar pressure is applied by the Union industrial lobby, counting on huge profits from trade. It is not impossible that in the near future the voivodeship will have to compete with producers from all over the world. A significant challenge for agriculture will be brought about by the new form of environment protection in Natura 2 areas introduced to Poland after its accession to the European Union. Adhering to the legal limits with regards to fertilisers, breeding, waste collection or 48

49 9.4 Agriculture investment implementation, the activities aimed at retaining production space for agriculture with the voivodeship which, for example, are threatened by a ban on irrigation within protected areas should be supported. 49

50 9.5 Forestry Forestry The Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship is the fourth most forested voivodeship in Poland; with 35.% of woodlands (forests constitute 29.% of the country). At the end of 28, forests occupied thousand ha, by 7.1 thousand ha more than in 24 or by 8.9% of forest land in Poland. In thousand m 3 of wood was obtained from the forests in the region, which was almost 11% of the national total. In this respect the voivodeship is in 1 st place in the country. Zachodniopomorskie in 28 was characterized by the largest forest assets thousand m 3 which was 11% of the national assets. In total ha were earmarked for reforestation in 28. As part of the Rural Development Areas Programme in 24 26, ha or 4.75% of national replanting was reforested. At the end of 28 in the voivodeship, as part of PROW ha were reforested (also 4.75% of the national total). The voivodeship is in 11th place when it comes to reforestation funded by EU grants. In the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship the largest area of reserves and protected forests can be found thousand hectares. i.e.: 1.8% of the total of such areas in Poland. The incomes into commune budgets from forest tax in 28 in the region were 15.6 million PLN, which was 8.9% of the total national income (3 rd place). In 28 the voivodeship recorded 478 fires on ha of forests (5.2% of the number and area of fires in Poland). Most forested are districts in the eastern and southern parts of the region and in particular: Wałecki (54.5%), Drawski (45.3%), Szczecinecki (44.4%) and rural Koszaliński (42.%) and Myśliborski (41.5%). The lowest proportion of forests per area can be found in the following districts: Pyrzyckim (6.3%), city of Szczecin (16.2%) and Gryfickim (2.2%). Lower than the average proportion of forests can be found in the following districts: city of Świnoujście, Kamieński and Sławieńskim. The largest increases in forests are in areas with a predominantly agricultural employment, including the districts of Pyrzyce and Stargard. In 13 out of 114 communes of the voivodeship forests exceed 5%. Most forested communes are: Człopa (71,%), Drawno (67,1%) and Manowo (64,1%) and least in Warnice (,8%) and Pyrzyce (1,3). Twelve communes have less than 1% forests. Over the a very high increase in forests has been noted in three municipal communes (Stargard Szczeciński 69,2%, Sławno 42,1%, Białogard 18,1%). A high increase in the forests, exceeding 5%, was also noted in communes: Suchań (11,4%), Dobra Nowogardzka (7,3%), Przelewice (6,%), Lipiany (5,5%) and Dolice (5,3%). According to a stock take at the end of 28, 98.4% of forests are public. Private forests lie on an area of 12.9 thousand ha. The private forest proportion is low, as it is only 1.6% with the national percentage of 21.4%, which provides favourable conditions for carrying out sustainable forest development. Further reforestation will be undertaken, mainly with the support of European Union funds. Reforesting of post agricultural areas will increase the proportion of private forests, nevertheless their proportion will still be one of the lowest in the country. The majority of State Treasury forests will enable the upkeep of ecological and social function of the forests, which are priorities in the establishment of the national forest policies. The voivodeship has a strong position in the country when it comes to economic use of forests, however a low level of food processing originating in forests can be observed. In 28, in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship 291 tons of blueberries were purchased, 6.1% of the national figure, of fruits of the forest, 26.5% and 942 tons of mushrooms, 15.9%. Furthermore, tons of hunted animals were collected, which is 2% of the national purchase. The usage of the wood and paper industry products in the voivodeship is 5

51 9.5 Forestry significantly higher than the national average. In 28 in Zachodniopomorskie thousand m 3 of sawn timber was used, which was 28.3 of the national average and positioned the region in 1 st place in the country. Over thousand m 3 of fiber-board was used, in total 41.2% (1 st ), thousand m 3 of hard fiber-boards 7.2% (1 st ), 42.1 thousand m 3 of chipboard 8.8% (4 th ). And 38.8 thousand tons of paper and cardboard 5.4 % (4 th ). Challenges: The most important problem of the Zachodniopomorskie forestry is the weak development of auxiliary production infrastructure. The voivodeship is located in the national lead with regards to purchase of semi-finished products originating in the forest, however the food processing industry based on those plays a marginal role on the national scale. Tourism opportunities for forests are not explored. The level of land development from the funds of Zasób Własności Rolnej Skarbu Państwa is low, which means that wastelands are not reforested fast enough. The forests in the voivodeship are in danger of pollution, dangers associated with single crop farming and the associated danger of pests and the propagation of foreign species of flora and fauna. The main priorities for forestry in the voivodeship are: the preservation and an increase in the vitality of forest ecosystems, the retention of a high proportion of timber gain from a hectare of forest and the retention of a high safety level with regards to fires in forests. Fire awareness should be increased especially amongst tourists visiting West Pomerania. The primary activities should also include: promotion of forest tourism, hunting, eco-tourism and cycling. No regional product based on forest resources has been created. Despite the high percentage of forests in the region, the restructuring of agriculture should be supported, aimed at reforesting processes. 51

52 9.6 Tourism Tourism The significance of tourism for the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship economy stems from the richness and its natural attributes in connection with the largest in the country and diversified accommodation base and ease of access for tourists, in particular foreign. The voivodeship s attribute is the large number of attractive and diversified reservoirs and the adjacent areas. Lakes in the western part of Pojezierze Pomorskie, the Odra delta, Zalew Szczeciński and the waters of the Baltic Sea, and in particular Zatoka Pomorska create unique conditions for tourism, especially water sports. The voivodeship s attributes are also the large forests and protected areas, historic architectural structures and a large spa and recreation potential. In the varied tourist offer of the voivodeship, an increasingly important role is played by active rest, including water recreation, cycling and horse riding, Nordicwalking and golf. Numerous tourists trails pas through the voivodeship: walking, cycling, and horse riding and cultural. Historical structures located in the voivodeship, despite their numerous attributes and attractive location, are an insignificant autonomous factor for generating tourism. Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship is in 1 st place in the country when it comes to accommodation in total, the number of beds per 1 inhabitants, provided accommodation in total and the accommodation provided for national tourists. It is also in 1 st place in Poland taking into consideration the percentage of accommodation places, in 1 st place with regards to the number of lodgings provided to foreign tourists and in 4 th place as a destination for foreigners. In 28 in the voivodeship lodgings were provided, which is 17.7% of the total in Poland. That was 13.1 more than last in people used these services, which is 8.9% of all tourists with overnight stays in the whole country (16.1% more than in 24) Figure 3. Accommodation provided at multi guest facilities according to voivodeship in 28 (percentage data, Poland = 1%) 2,% 15,% 1,% 5,% 17,7% 14,1% 1,9% 9,2% 9,% 7,6% 5,3% 5,1% 4,3% 3,3% 3,3% 2,7% 2,7% 1,9% 1,6% 1,1%,% zachodniopomorskie małopolskie pomorskie dolnośląskie mazowieckie śląskie wielkopolskie kujawsko-pomorskie warmińsko-mazurskie podkarpackie łódzkie lubelskie lubuskie świętokrzyskie podlaskie opolskie source: own work based on BDR GUS data. The voivodeship led the country with respect to the number of lodgings provided to domestic tourists at multi guest facilities. In 28 the voivodeship had 17.2% (over 1/6) of the total in Poland of such lodgings provided. The voivodeship is also placed in 1 st position with regards to the number of lodgings provided to foreign tourists at multi guest facilities; in 28 its share in the domestic market was 2.1%. 52

53 9.6 Tourism Figure 31. Accommodation provided to domestic and foreign tourists at multi guest facilities according to voivodeship in 28 (percentage data, Poland = 1%) Domestic tourists; Poland = 1% Foreign tourists; Poland = 1% 25% 2% 15% 1% 5% % zachodniopomorskie małopolskie pomorskie dolnośląskie śląskie mazowieckie kujawsko-pomorskie wielkopolskie warmińsko-mazurskie podkarpackie łódzkie lubelskie lubuskie świętokrzyskie podlaskie opolskie source: own work based on BDR GUS data. In 28 in the voivodeship there were 84 facilities offering lodgings, thus 12.3 % of the total number of such facilities and 18.5% of the total of accommodation places in the whole of the country. Per 1 inhabitants of the voivodeship there are 63.7 lodgings over four times more than the average in Poland, where this indicator is at a level of In relation to the number of inhabitants, the largest number of lodgings is in the following districts: Kamieński (395 places per 1 inhabitants), Gryfice (36), Kołobrzeg (261), Sławieńskim (228), rural Koszalińskim (211) and Świnoujściu (197). The districts of southern and central parts of the voivodeship are characterised by the lowest number of lodgings per 1 inhabitants. During the total number of facilities offering accommodation in the voivodeship increased by 34%. In that period the number of hotels increased by 3% and guest houses by 28%. In hotels constituted 5.2% of hotels in Poland whereas 23 guest houses were 9.2% of the national number. In the voivodeship the highest percentage of usage of accommodation spaces can be observed. It is constantly at a level above 45%, in 28 it was 47.6% (compared to 37.6% in Poland). A high concentration of accommodation places occurs mostly in the coastal belt. Figure 32: Degree of usage of lodgings in Poland and the voivodeship in % zachodniopomorskie Polska 45% 4% 35% 3% 25% 46,37% 33,84% 47,59% 37,59% 2% source: own work based on BDR GUS data. In the long term the demographical structure of the population will have a significant effect on the character of tourism. The number of adults and the elderly will increase, and the average number of people in a family will decrease. This means, that during the next decade, 53

54 9.6 Tourism the disposable income per family member sill significantly increase, and will be spend on tourism and recreation. Quality and comfort will become more important. There will be an increase in interest for active tourism, including extreme. This will allow for the Zachodniopomorskie attributes to be developed further: water tourism, cycling, horse riding, Nordic-walking and golf. Due to the construction of a harbors, marinas and ports, interest in the voivodeship will increase amongst sailing enthusiasts, both Polish and foreign. Polish tourists will be more and more numerous on golf courses. Discerning clients will choose holidays in less crowded places or at periods guaranteeing mostly privacy and not anonymity. This will means an increase in the interest in the voivodeship s lake districts. This is conditional on ensuring the right level of accommodation in these areas. An increasing health awareness and health care will increase the demand for holidays at fitness centers and SPA s. A significant ingredient of the voivodeship s tourism income will be holidays pre-booked in advance by the National Health Fund and German health funds. It is estimated that during the coming years German sentimental tourism will disappear. Polish labor immigrants will be a more numerous group of tourists. These people, who do not wish to return to Poland, as their financial situation stabilizes, will be willing to visit their roots. In the voivodeship, as in the country the importance of the internet in searching and purchasing tourist services will increase. The length and value of holidays will increase. It is necessary to ensure a large number of comfortable communication links. The currency exchange fluctuations will add to the uncertainty factor. The development of tourism is largely dependent on an integrated action from local s and tourist organizations. One of these was the adoption of a unified logo and slogan, in order to unify and solidify in the tourist s minds the image of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship as an attractive holiday destination. Zachodniopomorskie. Sea adventures is a slogan which informs about the variety of attractions and experiences in the region. The increasing interest of foreign tourists and potential investors is aided by: permanent presence of the Zachodniopomorskie at national and international tourist trade fairs, including the largest ITB Berlin, active participation by the voivodeship in international tourist chains financed by the European Union, participation in the new initiative of Baltic states "Baltic the peak of tourism" as well as tourist presentations of the voivodeship at home and abroad and invitation extended to Polish diplomatic representatives. Independently from the above since 27 the voivodeship, in cooperation with the communes, before the tourist season organizes in main municipal centers of the country a weekends a promotional event Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Days. During its course inhabitants of cities (Poznań, Wrocław, Katowice) have an opportunity to get to know the attributes of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship, its history, culture, tourist attractions, culinary heritage. Furthermore, since 27, the voivodeship organizes a competition "For the most interesting tourist event of the year" which adds to the competitiveness of the region. Activities aimed at increasing the development of tourist infrastructure have also been undertaken as well as the construction of a regional system of tourist information and the development of tourist goods. These enterprises have been reflected in the RPO WZ for Additionally, the improvement of tourist attractiveness is improved by the implementation of the Budowa infrastruktury i wspólnej marki turystycznej Zachodniopomorskiego Szlaku śeglarskiego project which received funding from the Innovative Economy Operational Programme for , as part of activity 6.4 Investments in pan regional tourist products. Trails and analogous development activities in the lake district belt can decide the region s position in the country when it comes to sailing and water tourism. 54

55 9.6 Tourism Challenges: The development of accommodation offer by adding facilities independent of the weather and season will restrict seasonality and as a consequence improve the tourist attractiveness of the region. A particular role will be played by holidays in self contained facilities linked with health, or SPA's. This will facilitate the usage of available tourist spaces outside of the high season. A strong impulse for the development of tourism can be business tourism. A challenge facing the Zachodniopomorskie will be the development of large and permanent conference centres. A necessary condition for the development of tourism is the improvement of communications in the region, and in particular the road, water and air infrastructure. 55

56 9.7 Maritime economy Maritime economy West Pomerania for a number of years has been linked with maritime economy. This traditional specification, developing in the region for tens of years, has been one of the main avenues for regional development, has become a source of turbulence in its economy. The underinvestment s in the port infrastructure, aging fishing fleet, inadequate accessibility for tankers and in particular the collapse of Stoczna Szczecińska Nowa and the associated redundancies attest to the above. The ship building industry in the region is at the moment headed by smaller production and repair ship yards, including Gryfia, Porta Odra, El Ship and Navikon in Szczecin, Morska Stocznia Remontowa in Świnoujście, Stocznia Darłowo. Despite that in the number of maritime economy entities in the voivodeship increased by 641 units to a level of 2 839, which is in excess of 1.3% of economic entities in the region. As a comparison, this indicator in the Pomorskie Voivodeship is twice as high. 1 ships are registered in the voivodeship with a total deadweight tonnage of thousand tons including 79 vessels for the carriage of dry cargo, 7 tankers, 11 ferries and 3 passenger ships. Their average age is 2. The region boasts 8% of the quantities potential and almost 9% of the tonnage potential of the Polish transport fleet. One of the more important companies on the maritime economy market in the voivodeship is Polish Steamship Company, the largest Polish shipowner. The company has at its disposal 71 ships of total deadweight tonnage of over 2 million dwt (up to 215 it is assumed that an investment programme will be implemented for 34 new ships) and carries over 21 million tons of cargo per annum. The main sector of their activities is the shipping of bilk cargo, the company is a market leader with regards to shipping of liquid sulphur. In 28 in the cargo handling of sea ports in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship was at a level of thousand tons, which was 38.6% of cargo handling in all Polish ports. That was 7.2% more than last in the previous year. Similarly in the previous years the largest share in the cargo handling went to the ports of Świnoujście (46,8%) and Szczecin (41,2%). In cargo handling for the needs of Zakłady Chemiczne Police SA, an important role was played by the commercial port in Police. Smaller cargo handling operations are also under way in Kołobrzeg, Darłowo and Stępnica. 56

57 9.7 Maritime economy Figure 33. Cargo handling in chosen ports of the Pomorskie and Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeships according to cargo types in Total Liquid bulk Dry bulk Containers Rolling, self propelled Rolling, not self propelled Other cargo thousand tons Gdańsk Gdynia Szczecin Świnoujscie Police source: own work based on the "Maritime economy 28 publication, Statistical Office, Szczecin. In Polish ports in 28 a decrease of cargo handling was noted, however the decrease in the market only to a limited extent affected the ports in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship. In Szczecin the turnover decreased by 2.8% and in the port of Świnoujście increased by 19/7% (1.5 million tons) and in Police by over 5.1% (.1 million tons). In Gdańsk the decrease in cargo handling was at 14.4%, whereas in Gdynia 13.4%. Figure 34. Structure of cargo handling according to sea ports in 28 18,1% 15,9% 4,4%,3% 26,3% 35,% Gdańsk Gdynia Szczecin Świnoujście Police Pozostałe source: Maritime economy in Poland in 28. Statistical Office in Szczecin thousand passengers used the ports in the voivodeship in 28, which is 39.8% of the national figure. Over 9% were international passengers with 65% travelling to and from Sweden. For years and unchallenged leader in the servicing of passenger trade is the port of Świnoujście. In people used it. As a comparison, the port in Gdynia serviced in and the port in Gdańsk passengers in that period. After the collapse at the beginning of the first decade of XXI century, the market in passenger carriage in Poland and in the region is experiencing a systematic, but slight revival. As a result of Poland joining the Schengen zone and the abolition of duty free zone sales during sailings in coastal vessels, the passenger sailings from the ports of TrzebieŜ and Warpno decreased significantly. Inland shipping is based on the Oder water way and is directly linked to the maritime economy in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship. Since 26 national cargo inland 57

58 9.7 Maritime economy waterway shipping is steadily increasing. In 26 it was 773 thousand tons, in 28 this indicator reached a value of thousand tons. Further growth of the sector requires an improvement in the navigability of rivers. Investment expenditures for maritime economy (new facilities and improvement of existing ones) in 26 and 27 increased by 89 million PLN, however in 28 they increased only by 3 million PLN to a level of 323 million PLN. The largest share in the investment expenditures went to Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports authority, which implemented investments in port infrastructure for the Zachodniopomorskie Logistical Centre, container terminal and cargo handling infrastructure on the Półwysep Katowice. The voivodeship actively takes part in the process of preparing strategies solutions and concepts of an integrated maritime policy for sustainable development of the Baltic Sea and the adjacent regions. This aim is to be achieved as a result of cooperation of countries and regions and implementation of priorities of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea 29 encompassing environmental protection, welfare, accessibility and attractiveness and safety. During recent years the number of economic entities in the fishing industry is dropping, even though Polish sea regional are rich in fish. Fishing plays a role in the reactivation of local and regional economy. In 25 there were 744 entities of the national economy in this sector. Most companies are small, employing a few people. In 25, those private individuals conducting business activities owned 544 enterprises in this sector, in 27 this number decreased by 31. This could have been influenced by a programme of scrapping fishing boats, which guaranteed benefits to fishermen who scrapped their vessels. At the same time a programme of balancing the fishing industry for assumes the support of initiatives which aim to preserve the balance between sea and inland waterway resources and the fishing capacity of the Polish sea fleet, including the adaptation and modernisation of vessels, improvement in port quality reactivation of the local population. Szczecin as one of only two cities in Poland hosts a university with a maritime profile and only at the local Maritime Academy the subject inland shipping is taught. In the academic year 28/29 the Maritime Academy had students, 6 more than in the previous year. Maritime subjects can also be studied at University of Szczecin (US) and Zachodniopomorskie Technological University (ZUT), particularly in the Sea Science Institute at the Earth Sciences Institute (US) and at the Maritime Technical Faculty and Fishing and Food Science Faculty (ZUT) Challenges: The development of the maritime economy of the region should be undertaken in collaboration with the creations of the Central European Transport Corridor CETC-ROUTE65 as a key mechanism for improving accessibility and competitiveness of the voivodeship. This will entail modernizing ports through investments and changes to the organizational and legal structures. The biggest challenge is the construction of the external port with a LNG gas terminal in Świnoujście. The creations of the gas terminal is essential for the servicing of specialist ships (i.e. LNG tankers) shipping liquid natural gas. Its construction is linked with the s policy of diversifying the supply of energy natural resources to Poland. The location of such a large investment will aid the economic development of Świnoujście and the region. A modern facility with a strategic significance will increase the city's status also on an international stage. This will be an incentive for locating further capital. A key significance for the economic situation of the region is the solidifying of the position of the port complex Szczecin Świnoujście. It is also important to dynamically develop small sea ports on the coast and an upgrade of the water way Szczecin Świnoujście which will balance the port s transport system of the Odra estuary and improve their competitiveness. 58

59 9.7 Maritime economy The opportunity to re-activate the inhabitants of the areas where fishing activity is or was conducted is in the hands of partnerships operating in accordance to the formula of local fishing groups and implementing successive strategies for the development of fishing areas. 59

60 1. Innovativeness 2.1. Innovativeness The Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship does not boast the top positions in terms of the level of innovativeness. The foundation of the regional innovative potential is constituted by public higher schools. In the region, there are no institutions of the Polish Academy of Sciences or research-development units. Enterprises most frequently take advantage of the transferred solutions tested in the Western countries or in different regions of Poland through the purchase of machine, devices and ready technologies. The infrastructural milieu of the innovation-related activity in the province, similarly to that in other regions of Poland, is only being created and adjusted to the standards of the EU. Cooperation of business with the R&D sector in the region does not have a strategic character, which would be oriented on a longterm development of innovations. Pro-innovative projects in the region are mainly bottom-top initiatives, implemented in a non-coordinated manner by institutions and individuals involved in the development of innovativeness. In this manner, many enterprises relevant to the targets of the Regional Strategy of Innovativeness in the Zachodniopomorskie province, formulated in 25, transferring into the regional level the targets of the Lisbon Strategy, referring to innovativeness, were implemented. Numerous conferences, training events and workshops were organized, post-graduation studies, as well as practice for students in enterprises, were made available; promotional activities also were taking place. Research infrastructure serving the needs of companies was being developed; centers of technology transfer as well as cluster initiatives were created and developed, initial works in the field of regional foresight, research of the innovation-related needs of entrepreneurs, knowledge in the field of innovationfinancing instruments was gathered, international cooperation fairs were organized. The development of HR and institutional infrastructure resulting from these activities in the voivodeship is, however, insufficient. Deficit of specialists such as technology brokers, cluster animators and project evaluators in the field of risk capital is still perceptible. Educating them was not an aim of any of the regional projects of HR development. There is a pronounced decrease trend in the level of the corporate expenses on innovative activity. In the year 28, they amounted to 395,917, PLN in the region, while in 24 they were nearly two-times higher. It constituted 1.5% of the total innovation expenditure in the entire country. In terms of research and development, companies in the region assigned 3.5% of their expenditure on innovative activities, while the mean value for the country amounted to 9.4%. In the period 24-28, the expenses of Zachodniopomorskie companies on innovative activity fell nearly two-fold to the level of 395,917, PLN, reaching the level of 1.5% of the total expenditure in the entire country. In terms of research and development, companies in the region assigned 3.5% of their expenditure on innovative activities, while the mean value for the country amounted to 9.4% 6

61 1. Innovativeness Figure 35. Total expenditure on research-development activity in the year 28 PLN million mazowieckie 3 322,1 małopolskie 895,3 wielkopolskie 611,5 69,2 457,4 424,7 398,2 239,9 177,4 129,4 125,2 92,2 8,5 74,7 4,4 28,2 śląskie dolnośląskie łódzkie pomorskie source: own work based on of the RDB CSO data. lubelskie podkarpackie kujawsko-pomorskie zachodniopomorskie świętokrzyskie warmińsko-mazurskie podlaskie opolskie lubuskie Figure 36. Expenditure on research and development in the Polish zloty per capita and in the enterprise sector in millions of PLN in the year 28 Total R&D expenditures per 1 inhabitant Total R&D expenditures per 1 inhabitant R&D expenditure in companies mazowieckie małopolskie wielkopolskie pomorskie łódzkie dolnośląskie śląskie lubelskie source: own work based on the RDB CSO data. podkarpackie zachodniopomorskie świętokrzyskie podlaskie kujawsko-pomorskie warmińsko-mazurskie opolskie lubuskie R&D expenditure in companies In the year 28, employment in the R&D for 1, professionally active people reached 3.1%, which gives the region the ninth position in the country. A similar position is that in terms of a number of research-development institutions, expenditure on innovative activity in the industry, a number of domestic inventions of which the Patent Office was notified, a number of applications for financial aid for investments and a number of mid-high and high technology companies. In the year 28, the inventions and utility models of which the Patent Office was notified, obtained patents and granted protection rights constituted 3.3% of their overall number. The sale of new and modernized products in Poland in the recent years has amounted to 14.7% of the total sale, and in the Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship this ratio was 8.1%; what attracts attention, is the high ratio of the participation of new and modernized products in the total export. In the province, this ratio amounted to more than 7%, while the mean value for the country was at the level of 4%. It may indicate a substantial proportion of the 61

62 1. Innovativeness licensed production purchased by the Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship companies and financed by foreign capital, investing in the province. Partnership in the field of innovation is still insufficiently developed. Mechanisms of information and cooperation in terms of the operating of technology transfer, entrepreneurship support and innovativeness are not adjusted to the market needs. A low level of involvement of the institutions of business environment in providing services in the field of technology transfer and small participation of public authorities in strengthening of the potential of support institutions. In the region, there are between 1 and 2 institutions of business environment in the field of innovativeness. The largest and oldest one of them is, employing approximately 2 people, Regional Centre of Innovations and Technology Transfer in Szczecin (RCI&TT), which functions as the unit of the Zachodniopomorskie University of Technology. It belongs, similarly to Polish Entrepreneurship Foundation, to the National Innovation Network (NIN). Moreover, the RCI&TT along with the Zachodniopomorskie Economic Development Association conducts the Zachodniopomorskie Centre of Enterprise Europe Network as an element of European network of innovation relay centers. Since May 28, the Regional Council of Economy, Innovation and Technology, consisting of the representatives of science, entrepreneurs and business support institutions, and being an advisory body to the Voivodeship Executive Board in the field of planned and current pro-innovative enterprises, has been functioning. Challenges: the level of innovativeness of the voivodeship should be regarded as a threat to the future economic position of the region. Without raising it, enterprises will not be able to participate in knowledge-based economy in the future. An opportunity of development of the innovative companies sector in the region are investment plans for science and technology parks in Szczecin and Koszalin. Implementing these enterprises should provide companies with necessary grounds, facilities and specialist services. As part of the implementation of Regional Strategy of Innovativeness for the Zachodniopomorskie Province, it is necessary to strengthen the research areas, strategic for the region. A system of identification of technological and innovation-related needs of SMEs should be created, and so should be a regional system of multi-directional transfer and commercialization of technology and innovative solutions. Increasing innovative awareness of SME and creating in the region a permanent cooperation platform between R&D sector and economy, including effective information system and a system of matching supply and demand for the R&D services, is necessary. Zachodniopomorskie scientific staff and the innovative enterprises of the voivodeship should strive to create common centers of innovation and R&D centers, making it possible to take advantage of opportunities and strengths of the economy and science of the region. First and foremost: - regional foresight, making it possible to identify the strategic directions of development of the region upon the basis of cooperation with the scientific circles, should be conducted, - network structures (including clusters), accelerating technology transfer, should be created, - the infrastructure of innovativeness support, including science and technology parks and the tools of financing of innovation-related processes (seed capital and venture capital funds), needs to be created. The risk factor may be a dependence of innovative enterprises on the auxiliary programmes of the EU, which are often accompanied by the elaborate procedures. 62

63 11. Science Science In the region, there are 22 further education establishments. The largest are the University of Szczecin, the Zachodniopomorskie University of Technology, Pomeranian Medical University (former Pomeranian Academy of Medicine), Maritime Academy, the Koszalin University of Technology and Zachodniopomorskie Business School. Scientific staff employed at the universities in the voivodeship in the academic year 27/28 consisted of 4,199 academic teachers, including 2,4 people with Ph.D. degree, 481 with the degree of associate professor and 97 with the title of professor. In 28, 178 Ph.D. degrees were awarded, mainly in technical sciences (among others, 17 in the field of construction and use of machines, 14 in the field of computer science and 11 in the field of chemical technology) and in medical sciences (38 in the field of medicine and 9 in biological medicine). The degree of associate professor was obtained by 39 people, including as many as 17 people at Pomeranian Medical Academy, Agricultural Academy in Szczecin (7 people), and by people at technical higher schools (6 people). A large number of students does not correspond to the number of Ph.D. students in the other voivodeships. The Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship is in the group of the 7 voivodeships (Świętokrzyskie, Lubuskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie, Podkarpackie Opolskie and Podlaskie) with the smallest number of Ph.D. students. In 24, 1,27 people were studying on post-graduate studies, and in 28 their number amounted to 938. An insignificant majority is constituted by the Ph.D. graduates of the University of Szczecin (333 people, in comparison to 32 at technical higher schools, 16 at Agricultural Academy in Szczecin and 143 at Pomeranian Medical Academy). From among 34 faculties of Zachodniopomorskie higher schools, which were subjected to parametric assessment in 26, 8 were included into the highest category: Faculty of Medicine of Pomeranian Medical Academy, Faculties of Electronics and Technology and Chemical Engineering of the then Szczecin Polytechnics, the Faculty of Food Science and Fishing and Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry of the then Agricultural Academy, Faculties of Management and Service Economy and the Faculty of Theology of the University of Szczecin. A parametric assessment is conducted in three different ranges. In terms of scientific activity, measured among others by participation in research projects, possession of accredited laboratories and implementing quality systems, the greatest number of points was awarded to the Faculty of Medicine of PMA, the Faculty of the Environment Formation and Agriculture of then Agricultural Academy and the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Szczecin. The results of scientific activity, i.e. among others the authorship of publications, scientific monographies, academic course books was also assessed highest at the faculty of Humanities of the University of Szczecin and the Faculty of Technology and Chemical engineering of the Szczecin Polytechnics. The most active in the field of practical applications of scientific achievements, new technologies, patented inventions and sale of licenses were the faculties of the Szczecin University of Technology: Technology and Chemical Engineering and Engineering, as well as the Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management of the University of Szczecin. Scientific-research branches received high support for infrastructure development. Within the framework of 1.3. Regional Social Infrastructure of the IRODP programme, 19 projects in the voivodeship received financial aid. From among all the initiatives, as many as 14 were those of the higher schools in the region. For the obtained funds, the Koszalin University of Technology set up the central laboratory of the Faculty of Electronics and Computer Science. It was the initiative of Agricultural Academy in Szczecin that the Training and Research Centre in the Field of Renewable Energy in Ostoja be built. Szczecin university of Technology conducted the project: Multimedia Centre of Public Patent and Normalization Information Management. 63

64 11. Science In the period of 23-26, Zachodniopomorskie universities and research centers participated in the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Communities in the field of research, technological development and implementations, contributing to the creation of the European Research Space. 3 research teams in the voivodeship received grants of the total value of 3.88 million Euros, which constituted merely 1.79% of the sum of grants obtained by all Polish voivodeships. In the Seventh Framework Programme, initiated in 27, 7 projects from the Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship were accepted for implementation. Zachodniopomorskie higher schools are also taking action in the framework of the European Territorial Cooperation. In the period of , 15 projects altogether are being implemented with the participation of foreign partners in the framework of programmes: the South Baltic, the Region of the Baltic Sea, Trans-border Cooperation of the Countries: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania/Brandenburg/Zachodniopomorskie Province, Central Europe and Interreg IV C. Challenges: for further development of the scientific potential of the region, it is necessary, among others, to open new majors, more compatible with the needs of the economy and society. Technical majors, in particular those related to production and processing, need especially to be promoted. What should also be supported is setting up and development of scientific-research units, related to broadly understood innovativeness. It is important that actions aiming at the intensification of connections between economy and science be taken. Another aim ought to be systematization and unification of the knowledge of resources, needs and offer of science in the regions of the Oder Partnership and building a network of cooperation of scientific centers in the region of the Polish-German borderland and the Baltic Sea. A result of this kind of cooperation should be strengthening of innovativeness of the regions leading to building knowledge-based economy. Such a vision is entirely compatible both with the developmental strategies of all the regions of the Oder Partnership and the Lisbon Strategy. 64

65 2.12. Information society Diagnosis of the socio-economic situation 12. Information Society Access to the Internet services is provided in the voivodeship by nationwide telecommunication operators by means of cable technology and by mobile phone operators. A major position is also that of local telecommunication operators. Access to the Internet in the cities is provided among others by cable TV operators. The most important Internet provider in the area of the Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship is still Telekomunikacja Polska S.A., the market share of which is approximately 65% of households with Internet access. Only 12% of phone lines (so-called main) are on the rural areas. The density of the network on the rural areas is 14 lines on 1 people, whilst the level for cities is 344 and in the entire voivodeship 268. More than half of the people at the age of at least 16 years living within the area of the Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship has access to Internet. The same number of people declare using a computer. There are, however, substantial disproportions between the urban and rural areas in terms of the availability of telecommunications services in the province. The main obstacle for making the computer use and the Internet more common is lack of motivation of the inhabitants of the region. Some of them do not use the Internet even though they have access to it in the household. For 8% of the inhabitants of the province, Lack of financial means is a problem, approximately 4% of the inhabitants do not have skills relevant to use of information technologies. In the first quarter of 21, upon the commission of the Zachodniopomorskie province, inventory of the current state of broadband infrastructure in the region for the needs of the Project of construction of the Zachodniopomorskie Teleinformation Network (WPTN) was completed. One of the results of the inventory was selecting the areas in danger of digital exclusion by classifying separate towns and cities in the voivodeship into white, grey and black areas (BSC) 9. One third of all of the towns and villages in the voivodeship was classified as located on the areas in danger of digital exclusion. In vast majority, these are areas inhabited by less than 6% of the population of the province. The completed inventory also made it possible to identify 212 towns and villages (67% of the total number), which have access to Internet with the data flow capacity of no more than 2Mbit/s and access infrastructure belonging to one telecommunication operator only. The results of the research also showed the distribution of so-called white spots, namely the areas on which there is no access to the Internet. The largest number of such areas was observed in the communes located in south-east part of the province.. 9 white areas the areas on which there is no existing cable infrastructure of the broadband access and no telecommunications entrepreneur is planning investments into such an infrastructure on such an area, grey areas the areas on which there is an existing cable infrastructure of the broadband access of one telecommunication entrepreneur (on such an area the Internet access services may be provided by several telecommunication entrepreneurs, however, there is not infrastructure-based competition), black areas the areas on which there is a cable infrastructure of the broadband access of at least two telecommunication entrepreneurs, and the broadband access services are provided in the conditions of competition (infrastructure-based competition). 65

66 12. Information Society Map 3. Areas with the highest and lowest levels of activity of last mile operators (number of active operators of access networks in the commune) source: own work. In the area of 33% of the voivodeship communes, access to Internet services are provided by no more than two telecommunication enterprises. On the remaining area, particularly in the vicinity of the largest cities, there is more competition. The level of computerisation of the voivodeship schools is high in the comparison with the entire country. On average, one educational institution has 19 computer work stations, 16 of which are connected to the Internet. 66

67 12. Information Society Figure 37. Selected characteristics of the computerisation of schools* in the province, including the comparison with other voivodeships in the year 28 PC for the use by students PC with internet connection 21 computer rooms 1,15 computers in school average per 1 school Position in the voivodeship ranking * (primary schools for children and teenagers, gimnasium for children, teenagers and adults, excluding special schools) source: own work based on the RDB CSO data. The computerisation level of the enterprises in the Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship and application level of information technologies in business activity is relatively high. In comparison with the entire country, the region is the leader, among others, in companies broadband Internet access, existence of the Intranet networks or a number of people using computer at work. It is also a leader in the field of placing orders via the Internet by companies. Figure 38. Selected characteristics of the computerisation of voivodeship enterprises, including the comparison with other voivodeships on the year 28 source: own work on the basis of the GUS data in the publications: Information society in Poland; Warsaw, 28. In the past, activities aiming at the computerisation of the region gained financial aid from the IRODP fund within the framework of Action 1.5 Infrastructure of information society of IRODP. In the entire province, 16 projects of the total value of 25.5 million PLN were partly financed. Strategy of the Construction of Information Society in the Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship for the years was developed. Since the year 27, Zachodniopomorskie Information Society Council has been functioning. Its task is to, among others, the popularization of the idea of information society by supporting the development of 67

68 12. Information Society knowledge-based economy and also issuing expert assessments of projects aiming at the development of information society as well as recommending such projects. Challenges: work on the construction of local IT infrastructure of the broadband Internet access based upon the concept of the Zachodniopomorskie IT Network should be conducted. The construction of this network should take place with the participation of the means from the Regional Operational Programme Action 3.1. At the same time, the construction of a partnership network of the stakeholders of information society, acting together and in synergy for the innovative e-development of the Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship ought to be commenced. Implementation of WPTN, mainly based upon optical fiber technologies, is to encourage the prevention of digital exclusion, creating specificpurpose mission networks, be an impulse for innovativeness and development of knowledgebased economy and improve offers of broadband Internet access for the inhabitants of the region. 68

69 2.13. Transport Diagnosis of the socio-economic situation 13. Transport Access to the Baltic Sea, the Oder route, international network of motorways and air and railway connections determine the transport importance of the region. In the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship, international and national transport routes of the NS and EW orientation cross. The agglomeration of Szczecin is a hub at which road, railway, water and air connections cross. Upon the basis of them, transit of goods between the south of Europe and the countries of the basin of the Baltic Sea takes place Road infrastructure The area of the Voivodeship is crossed by the trunk roads numbered: 3 (E65), A-6 and 6 (E28), 1, 11, 13, 2, 22, 23, 25, 26, 31, 37, 93 and S3 now under construction. A majority of Voivodeship, District and commune roads require modernization and rebuilding both due to a bad condition of surfaces and technical parameters. The neglect that they have suffered so far resulting from the lack of funds for major repair works, building ring roads and collision-free crossroads on the routes with intensive traffic have led to forming a so-called bottleneck in the road network. They have a substantial influence upon the access to and attractiveness of economic, administrative and tourism centers, as well as sea havens in the region. A substantial improvement will take place when the trunk road S3 in its new location is made available, western bypass of Szczecin and tunnel between the islands Uznam and Wolin in Świnoujście. The highest density of trunk roads is observed in the area adjacent to the border, but they do not provide a fully convenient connection of the region with the rest of the country. Map 1. Time-related access to the Voivodeship capitals by roads in 28 source: authors; T. Komornicki and P. Śleszyński (Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization of the Polish Academy of Science). 69

70 13. Transport The main city centers of the region (Szczecin, Koszalin, Świnoujście, Kołobrzeg, Stargard Szczeciński, Wałcz and Szczecinek) are situated near the Voivodeship border, which results in the limited access to them from the central area of the region. Central and southwest part of the region is located outside the area within an hour distance by motorways to the 7 main urban centers. The area of limited access covers as much as 3% area of the Voivodeship and is inhabited by approximately 12% of the population of the Voivodeship. Moreover, the areas adjacent to the border are under influence of the cities located in the neighbouring Voivodeship s (Gorzów Wielkopolski, Słupsk and Piła). Traffic on the roads of Voivodeship is slightly lower than the mean for the country, whilst it stands out due to its high dynamics and irregularity throughout the year. More and more Voivodeship, but also District and commune, particularly in the areas adjacent to the sea, are burdened with intensive transit and tourist movement, especially in the summer seasons and during the weekends. On many parts of the roads, there is a higher intensity of traffic than on the trunk roads in the Voivodeship, in spite of their insufficient technical parameters, including the load capacity not exceeding 8 kn/axis. In comparison with the rest of the country, the density ratio of public roads is significantly lower. In 28, it amounted to 57.5 km/1 km 2 in comparison with 83.5 km/1 km 2 for Poland. The length of the hard-surface roads altogether in the Voivodeship s amounted to 13,175.3 km. A very important agent is the development of the axis of CETC. This initiative is to facilitate the effective formation of Multi-mode chains of logistics and transport in the European arrangement, from the Baltic to Adriatic, and further in the future to the Black and Aegean Sea. CETC helps promote environmentally-friendly transport and the development of combined, multimode and inter-mode transport Railway infrastructure Railway lines with the over-regional and regional cross the area of the region; the most important of them are: E-59 (AGC) Świnoujście - Poznań - Wrocław with a branch to Szczecin Główny C-E59 (AGTC) Świnoujście - Kostrzyń - Wrocław with a branch in the Direction of Szczecin Main Railway Station and Central Port 22 Gdańsk Główny - Gdynia - Koszalin - Stargard Szczeciński 21 Chojnice - Szczecinek - Runowo Pomorskie 42 Koszalin - Goleniów 43 Piła - Wałcz, Kalisz Pomorski - Ulikowo 44 Poznań - Piła - Szczecinek - Białogard - Kołobrzeg The density ratio of the railway network for 1 km², amounting to 5.3 km/1 km², is only slightly lower than the value for the country, which in 28 was 6.5 km/1 km². The condition of the railway lines is generally bad and they require modernization. In many places, speed limit to 4 km/h due to safety considerations is applied. Technical condition and use of narrow-gauge railway lines are bad. In the years 25-28, an increase in passenger transport in the regional railway transport was observed. Number of travelers in that period increased by 1.5 million of people and currently amounts to approximately 8.5 million of per year. By the end of 28, railway companies had gone reorganization. Part of the PKP company responsible for regional transport (PKP Przewozy Regionalne) was placed under the management by the provincial local s. 7

71 13. Transport In January 21, thanks to the means from Regional Operational Programme of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship, ten modern rail buses with internal combustion engines were purchased. The total value of the project was 15,153,94 PLN. The purchased rolling stock will be mainly used on the route: Szczecin-Goleniów-Kołobrzeg-Koszalin; Szczecin- Szczecinek- Chojnice; Szczecin-Wałcz-Piła. Between Szczecin and Berlin, there are nine trains running in each direction, including two pairs of trains which are direct; in case of the other ones, it is necessary to change at Angermünde or Pasewalk, and the connections of the either side of the border are correlated. A challenge for the activation of train connections with Germany is, above all, constituted by the improvement of the condition of tracks on Polish leg of the route, particularly the leg between Szczecin-Gumieńce station to the state border. The cost of the investment is estimated to amount to approximately 2 million Euro. Shortening the time of journey to 1 h requires introducing a direct connection with stops at small stations. It is also necessary to solve the problem of electrification of the line on the both sides of the border and introducing on it trains with two-system engines, functioning in varied power supply system in both of the countries. Modernization of the railway line Szczecin Berlin is very important in the perspective of the opening an international airport Berlin-Brandenburg-International (BBI) scheduled for the year 211. Activation of the railway connection between Świnoujście and Berlin, functioning before the Second World War, is also being prepared. To implement this project, rebuilding the bridge in Karnin connecting the mainland and the island of Uznam is of crucial importance Air transport The airport Szczecin-Goleniów is the only one in the region belonging to the essential airport network in the country. It is fully adjusted for operating civil passenger and cargo transport and according to the requirements of ICAO. From the airport Szczecin-Goleniów, planes depart for: Dublin, London, Oslo, Warsaw and Cracow (regular lines) and Bulgaria, Tunisia, Egypt, Greece and Turkey (chartered flights). In connection with the forecast growth in demand for air services in Poland, it will become necessary to extend the airport network, particularly upon the basis of the existing airport infrastructure, including ex-military and sport-service airports. In the year 26, passenger traffic ratio in the airport Szczecin-Goleniów constituted 1.18% of the passenger traffic in Poland, and in 28 this ratio was 1.46%. A number of passengers increased from 182,524 in 26 to 32,452 passengers in 28, and utilization rate of the airport amounts to 35% 1. As part of the development of airport infrastructure in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship, re-activating of the airport in Zgierz Pomorski near Koszalin is planned. Completing this investment is dependent upon earlier preparation of the necessary analysis, which will confirm the economic justifiability of this project. In Szczecin, there is a civil airport Dąbie with grass surface, which is an air rescue and the Szczecin Aeroclub base. In the Voivodeship, there are also ex-military airports (including ex-soviet ones), among others: Płoty, Dziwnów, Zegrze Pomorskie, Borne Sulinowo, Kluczewo, Chojna, Bagicz and Wilcze Laski. These facilities are generally significantly derelict. Military airports which are still in use are those in Świdwin, Mirosławiec, Darłowo and Oleszno. 1 Data of the Civil Aviation Office 71

72 Water transport Diagnosis of the socio-economic situation 13. Transport In the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship, there are four sea commercial ports (in Szczecin, Świnoujście, Kołobrzeg and Police) and 1 small fishing ports and 13 fishing harbours. In 28, sea ports in the Voivodeship served international passenger traffic at the level of 486,599 arrivals and 483,913 departures, whilst domestic traffic amounted to 43,744 arrivals and 43,689 departures. The participation of the region in the passenger ferry traffic amounts to approximately 63%, whilst in cargo traffic 38%. The region has a convenient system of inland water road, connecting the ports of the mouth of the Oder River and the countries of the European Union, particularly with Germany. The current state of the hydro technical development of the water road between Szczecin and Kostrzyń does not, however, make it possible to utilize its transport capacity in full. Challenges: support for extension and modernization of the regional transport infrastructure is of decisive importance for the inclusion of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship in the development processes of the country. Its current state is insufficient and shows substantial disproportions in spatial location. Existing deficits substantially limit the role of the Voivodeship as a partner in the development of borderlands and providing services for the agglomeration of Berlin and bridge to the countries of the basin of the Baltic Sea, south Europe and Russia. Improving access to local sea and river ports will make it possible to increase their economic importance and will contribute to the diversification of their function (e.g. for tourism). Transport connection of Szczecin and Koszalin as two centers of the importance extending regional scale, their connection compatibility with the region, as well as creating a convenient road system along the coast of the Baltic Sea and the western border of Poland also matter. In order to improve the transport access to the tourist and health resort areas, it is important to support local road investments (District and commune roads) and modernize the existing road infrastructure and develop railway connections, including narrow-gauge railway. A group of priority road connections should also include roads improving transport access to the touristic areas and health resorts, particularly to the areas adjacent to the Baltic Sea (trunk roads no. 3, 6, 1 and 11, Voivodeship roads: no. 19, leg: Płoty Trzebiatów, no. 12, leg: Międzyzdroje Kołobrzeg, no. 17, leg: Dziwnówek Parłówko, no. 23, leg: Koszalin Postomino). Voivodeship roads no. 163 (Kołobrzeg Wałcz) and no. 178, crossing the Voivodeship north-south, are important for the development of road network. It also applies to Voivodeship roads no. 162 (Rościęcino Świdwin), no. 151 (Świdwin Barlinek) and no. 156 (Lipiany Barlinek). A crucial role in the transport system of the Voivodeship will be that of the western ring road of Szczecin, connecting the A6 (area of Kołbaskowo) with the west and north districts of Szczecin and Police, including the bridge on the River Oder (Police Święta). This investment will improve transport access to the Airport Szczecin-Goleniów. A decision to entirely modernize by the year 22 railway line, connecting Szczecin and Wrocław, through Kostrzyń and Zibeline Góra, has been taken. After the completion of the works, train speed will be significantly increased passenger trains to 16 km/h, and goods trains to 12 km/h). Simultaneously, it will shorten the journey time to on the entire line and will make it possible to use trains of the length of even as much as 75 m. In the next 5 years, a comprehensive modernization of railway line no. 351 Poznań Szczecin, constituting a leg of cross-border connection E59 from Scandinavia to the south of Europe, which will make it possible to increase maximum speed of passenger trains to 2 72

73 13. Transport km/h on this leg. Within the framework of the activities related to ROP-EW , it is forecast that railway lines no. 42 and 43 will be modernized, and that modern rolling stock for regional connections will be purchased. One-direction railway lines no. 22 and 44, the capacity of which is slowly reaching its limits, require modernization. Their parameters limit the possibility of drawing up an effective train timetable, ensuring efficient and quick meeting of transport needs of the inhabitants of the Voivodeship. A major challenge is restoring railway connections to towns and villages in south-east part of the Voivodeship. 73

74 14. Energy Energy Generation of electricity and heat. The production of energy in 28 was at a level of GWh and increasing in comparison to the year 2 by 11.7%. The energy consumption decreased in the voivodeship from 5 25 GWh in 21 to 4 78 GWh in 23 and subsequently increased to 5 51 GWh in 28. In the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship the generation of energy exceeds its consumption. In 28 this surplus was GWh. Map 5. Heat and electricity generation and the largest power stations in Poland in 24 source: The largest electricity and heat producers in the voivodeship are PGE Zespół Elektrowni Dolna Odra S.A. in Nowy Czarnów (and its subsidiaries: Elektrownia Dolna Odra in Nowy Czarnów and two power plants in Szczecin Pomorzany and Szczecin), as well as Miejska Energetyka Cieplna Sp. z o.o. in Koszalin. In the voivodeship electricity transport is undertaken by PSE-Operator S.A., whereas it is distributed by ENERGA S.A. and ENEA S.A. The largest industrial consumers of electricity in the voivodeship are Zakłady Chemiczne Police S.A. and Kronospan Szczecinek Sp. z o.o. The energy grid in rural areas in often out of date which does not guarantee a constant supply to rural consumers. The majority of the grit network was created at the beginning of the 5 s which means that the quality (also the distribution devices) is unsatisfactory. 74

75 14. Energy Furthermore this is a barrier for the development of micro power plants, green fuel including power plants. Szczecin only has one HVL of 4kV and a shortage of 22kV power lines. Heat activities in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship are carried out by 49 companies, including 26 which generate heat and which transport and distribute it. The largest consumers of heat are communal companies, housing associations and communes. In 28, 82.2% of all dwellings were equipped with central heating facilities (national figure 78%) Gas network Transmission of gas in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship is done by Operator Gazociągów Przesyłowych GAZ SYSTEM S.A. whereas its distribution by Wielkopolski Operator Systemu Dystrybucyjnego Sp. z o.o.. Gas is also supplied by these companies: G.EN.-GAZ Energia S.A. as well as KRI S.A. The main industrial consumer of natural gas from the industrial network is the Zakłady Chemiczne Police S.A. The consumers receive highmethane gas which is imported and locally nitrogenised from regional beds. Gas consumption in domestic households in the voivodeship in 24 was hm 3 and in 28 increased to hm 3. In the length of the gas network in the voivodeship increased by km (i.e.: by 9.7%) from km to km. At the same time the number of gas consumers increased from thousand to thousand (by about 1%) This means that the connection of one additional gas consumer entailed the necessity to build an average of 86 meters of gas network. On average for Poland this indicator is 92 meters. This shows particularly for rural areas the high cost of the marginal user. The accessibility to the gas transport infrastructure (mainly in small cities and rural areas) is still insufficient and requires investments in order to balance the levels across the voivodeship. In the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship a large investment is implemented with a key significance for Polish energy LNG gas terminal in Świnoujście. Projects are continuing regarding the Baltic Pipe, which will deliver gas to Poland from Norway. These enterprises increase the certainty of supply for the whole country as well as the region. Furthermore on the voivodeship scale investments are necessary to improve the state of the infrastructure (pumping stations and transport pipelines) and those diversifying the sources of fuel. Due to the low cost of transport from newly build supply depots (Gasport, Baltic Pipe, Bernau- Szczecin) to the end users, in the whole of Poland and in particular Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship an intensive development of the gas network will ensue Renewable energy sources Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship is the national leader in wind energy production. In the coastal belt and in the vicinity the best wing conditions in Poland are present. 6 out of 1 Polish largest wind farms are located in the region: Karścino-Mołotowo ( 9 MW), Tymień (5 MW), Jagniątkowo (3,6 MW), Zagórze (3 MW) and Cisowo (18 MW). A constant and high interest from investors in the building of wing farms is present. Up to date over 3 agreements have been signed to connect wind farms with a total capacity of 7 MW. The largest wind farm in Poland is in the pipeline (with a target capacity of 26 MW) in Banice- Kozielice and the location in Darłowo of seven farms with a total capacity of 18 MW. 11 Source: URE Bulletin 3/29 75

76 Map 6. Wind map of Poland Diagnosis of the socio-economic situation 14. Energy source: There are about 32 furnaces incinerating biomass in Poland. The largest producer of energy from biomass is PGE Zespół Elektrowni Dolna Odra S.A. which made use of 24.5 thousand tons of biomass in 28 (in the Elektrownia Dolna Odra thousand tons, Elektrownia Szczecin 26.5 thousand tons). The combined energy generated from biomass in PGE Zespół Elektrowni Dolna Odra S.A. in 28 was GWh (about 3.8% of its total generation). Geothermal energy is used for heating by two companies. The capacity of heat generating plant Geotermia Pyrzyce Sp. z o.o is 54.8 MW whereas Przedsiębiorstwo Usług Ciepłowniczych Geotermia Stargard Sp. z o.o. has 14MW at its disposal. About 7 hydro power stations are in use with a total capacity of 12.7 MW. The most active facilities re in the following districts: Łobeski (13), Koszaliński (9), Gryficki (9), Stargardzki (7) and Myśliborski (6). Production of energy from renewable sources in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship in 28 was 493 GWh which is 6% of the total energy production from all sources, out of which 21% is from water sources. In this respect the voivodeship is in 3 rd place in the country. According to 28 data the total production capacity is at 7.1% of the total power generation capacity of Poland. In this respect the voivodeship is in 6th place in the country. The Ministry of Economy document entitled "Polish energy policy up to 23 forecasts the increase in the gross demand for electricity in the country from about 151 TWh in 26 to TWh in 21 and TWh in 23. Therefore new generation plants are in the pipeline in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship, which are modern and high capacity and efficiency (cogeneration, renewable energy sources) with a minimal impact on the environment. 76

77 14. Energy New investments will significantly influence the energy generation from renewable sources. New wind farms are in the pipeline. In Elektrownia Szczecin a modern fluid bed furnace will be constructed for the incineration of biomass with a power capacity of 68 MW, which will use abbot 7 thousand tons of fuel per year and replace the worn out facilities which use coal. The large demand for biomass in the voivodeship will be contribute to the development of wastelands and consequently a reactivation of rural areas. A programme has been developed in the voivodeship ZałoŜenia do programu energetyki odnawialnej w oparciu o surowce odnawialne energii, wody i wiatru. As part of the Regional Operational Programme for enterprises will be co-financed which will improve the accessibility to electricity and gas infrastructure in areas which experience shortages? Support will also be available for investments developing and modernising local distribution networks, energy and gas, improving accessibility to energy for inhabitants of areas with a low gas and electricity availability indicator. For these activities ROP has earmarked 14.9 million Euro. The development and modernisation of electro power networks facilitating the connection of units generating electricity from renewable sources. To support investments associated with generating power from renewable sources and the improvement of energy efficiency an amount of 21 million euro has been earmarked. Challenges: The accessibility to the gas and electricity transport infrastructure (mainly in small cities and rural areas) is still insufficient and requires investments in order to balance the levels across the voivodeship. The support for modernisation and development of generation and distribution systems is essential. Solutions in cogeneration should be preferred as well as a greater use of renewable energy sources. The existing HVL in the municipality of Szczecin, in the coastal belt and the south-east part of the voivodeship require significant development and modernisation of 11 kv power lines. An improvement in the reliability of energy supply is also essential as well as planned development of high capacity wind farms (near Choszczno, Recz, Myślibórz, Dębno, Barlinek, Krzęcin, Świnoujście, Niechorze, Stepnica, Resko) The improvement of energy infrastructure aims to ensure a higher level of services for the local population, lure investors and improve the competitiveness and attractiveness of the region. The active participation of the local in the implementation of Polish energy policy to 23 is necessary. It is important to define the priorities in the investment processes but the local s and to try and correlate the investment plans of communes and energy companies. The need for energy planning is particularly important, as in the coming years Polish communes will face difficult development and investment challenges in the face of the forecast large increase in the demand for electricity in Poland. 77

78 15. Environmental condition and protection Environmental condition and protection The condition of the Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship's environment is slowly, but steadily improving. It is the result of a more rational use of resources, corrective actions implemented by the environment users and local s, increased ecological awareness and the availability of financial resources, on national and EU level, for the implementation of environmental investments. Protected areas cover km ², which represents 46% of the voivodeship. 12 The national system of protected areas, together with lagging covers km² (25,6 % of the area). The voivodeship set a number of areas forming a part of the Natura 2 European Ecological Network (19 special bird protection areas and 41 areas of special protection of nesting sites). Their total area - with the exception of marine areas - is km ², which represents approximately 37.2% of the voivodeship. Protection of those areas is to limit the activities likely to significantly degrade natural habitats and adversely affect plant and animal species for which Natura 2 was created. Investment planning should take into account its impact on the environment. The established Natura 2 sites however should not restrict the activities of local communities or block construction and infrastructure projects, although in the current cultural and legal order is difficult to implement an effective model of sustainable development that would reconcile the seemingly contradictory interests. 95 plants operate in the voivodeship, which are especially noxious for air pollution. This represents 5% of the total number of such establishments in Poland, which places the region at the 8th position in the country. In 28, the investment in long-term environmental protection means based on 1 inhabitant in the province amounted to PLN 265, including the sub-regions of Koszalin - PLN 134, Stargard - PLN 12, Szczecin - PLN 318, and PLN 546 in the Szczecin city sub-region Water pollution Threats to water quality in the voivodeship are mainly related to excessive consumption for domestic and economic purposes and the discharge of the resulting pollutants. The surface water quality is improving, but there still remains a problem of the bacteriological contamination and large amounts of biogenic substances going into rivers and lakes, and causing eutrophication. According to the Water Framework Directive by 215, all surface water should reach at least good condition. Still the share of water of unsatisfactory and poor quality in the overall water balance is significant. As a result of research conducted in 28 by the Regional Inspectorate for Environment Protection in Szczecin, 54 uniform parts of surface waters (UPSW), representing 11 types of the river waters were classified. Final evaluation of their condition (good or bad) was based on the diagnosis of the ecological and chemical status. Finally, good scores were assigned to 14 UPSW, and bad to 37. The low final score of the water was affected predominantly by a negative assessment of physio-chemical elements in 45 points (out of 72 that collected data during this period), in 3 points it was a bad mark for substances that are particularly harmful to the aquatic environment and in 12 points it was a bad mark for biological elements. As a result of monitoring by VIEP in Szczecin, a reduction of pollutant loads contributed by Odra to the waters of the Szczecin Reservoir was noticed. In 28, 11 lakes in 12 They include two national parks, 12 wildlife sanctuaries, 7 landscape parks, 26 protected landscape areas, Natura 2 areas, 2512 natural monuments, six documentary positions, 1361 ecological grounds and 38 natural and landscape units.

79 15. Environmental condition and protection the province were under research, of which 9 were evaluated. Seven of them had poor water quality in terms of physicochemical and biological (Morzycko, Wierzchowo, Lubie, Kamienica, Trzesiecko, Wielkie Dąbie and śelewo). Two lakes were in good condition (Kiełbicze and Płonno). Miedwie i Głębokie lakes have been researched, but not subject to classification. Running water treatment plant in Szczecin definitely improved the quality of Odra estuary waters, Szczeciński Reservoir and Pomeranian Bay waters. Miedwie Lake, which is the primary source of drinking water supply for Szczecin citizens and needs special protection. It is not only vulnerable to social pollution but also from agriculture pollution and the pollution related to the development of tourism and recreation. A sanitary sewage system is implemented within the basin catchment. The salinity in the coastal zone waters due to their infiltration through the waters of the Baltic Sea poses a problem. Threats to water quality related to human activities in rural areas arise not only from unregulated wastewater management, but also from improper use of fertilizers and intensive livestock production. In recent years, the consumption of calcic fertilizers and manure decreased, and use of nitrogen fertilizers increased. Map 7. Evaluation of Zachodniopomorskie rivers in 28 source: Assessment of surface water quality in Zachodniopomorskie in 28. Studies of transitional and coastal waters in 28 were conducted under the surveillance monitoring, there were 18 stations located in 7 uniform parts of surface waters; 6 places in coastal waters (3 UPSW) and 12 positions in the transitional waters (4 UPSW). Finally, for the water in all tested points and UPSW's, the state of transitional and coastal waters was classified as poor, due to the assessment of biological elements (in 17 points), physico-chemical elements (in all points) and assessment for substances that are particularly harmful to the aquatic environment (in 3 points). Contamination of groundwater in the region is moderate.

80 15. Environmental condition and protection Air pollution The region is characterized by a medium level of air pollution. Its quality is affected by the surface emissions from the sector of communal and household usage and line emissions from road transport. The emission from industrial points is decreasing. Effects of environmental measures to reduce emissions from point sources of energetic sector are translated into the level of air pollution concentrations. In 26, the average concentration of SO2 in the air decreased by approximately 5% compared to 1996 and 75% compared to This is the result of usage of emission control devices for sulphur dioxide, and the restructuring of the economy. The main source of dust pollution in Poland and Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship is the processing of fuels. The plants particularly onerous for air pollution located in the voivodeship emitted into the atmosphere in 28 jointly 5,1 thousands of tons of dust pollutants. Sulphur dioxide emissions amounted to 22 tonnes, carbon dioxide tons, and nitrogen oxides tons (in the case of each of these compounds gives the voivodeship the 9th place in the country). The relatively higher concentrations of pollutants are recorded in the western part of the voivodeship, which is connected to their issue from Germany. In built-up urban areas, especially in the agglomeration of Szczecin, air quality risks arise associated with the fine dust (PM1), whose source is primarily the home heating equipment. Because of its concentration exceeded the annual air quality assessments for 25 and 26, Szczecin received C W class. In connection in February 29, the Parliament of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship prepared the "Programme for Air Protection of Szczecin Agglomeration Zone. The programme points the appropriate corrective actions, necessary to restore acceptable level of PM1 suspended dust, together with the timing of implementation, costs and funding sources. The level of electromagnetic radiation in the province is low, with no significant differences in intensity in recent years; however its sources are increasing in number. The mobile phone base stations and, consequently, their area of influence increased. This causes more and more opposition of local communities Waste About 85% of waste is produced in industrialized, western part of the voivodeship, namely in the districts: Gryfiński, Stargardzki, and the city of Szczecin. Their largest sources are the Zakłady Chemiczne "Police" S.A. and PGE Dolna Odra Power Plant S.A.. In 27, the province of Zachodniopomorskie produced a total of 7.2 million tonnes of waste, of which 6.7 million tonnes from the industrial sector. Nearly 2% of total are the hazardous waste, which were produced in 27 in an amount of 113 thousands of tonnes. A specific problem in the region is the pesticide burial sites, or tanks, which store obsolete plant protection products (remnant of the state farms). During the inventory in 21 there were 39 pesticide burial sites discovered. In and in objects posing the greatest threat to the environment were eliminated, but there still remain 26 more to eliminate. Challenges: A significant improvement in water quality is expected in the estuary section of the Odra and Szczecin Reservoir and Pomeranian Bay, following the run of sewage treatment plant in Szczecin. The reduction of pollution load discharged into the waters will also slow down the process of eutrophication of those reservoirs. Visible effects of water quality

81 15. Environmental condition and protection improvement will also follow the implementation of two large water and wastewater management programmes, implemented in the basin of Parsęta and the basin of Miedwie Lake. Significant improvement of environmental quality in Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship and the whole Poland does not mean, however, an offset of the neglect of earlier periods. In addition, the EU consistently tightens the requirements for environmental standards, which will lead to substantially improved quality of life for its residents. The consistent implementation of the tasks specified in the "Program of Environmental Protection of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for , taking into account the perspective of " will certainly help to meet those requirements. In the coming years should focus on minimizing the environmental impact of large investment and linear infrastructure projects (roads, wind farms, etc.). Decisions regarding the location and manner of their implementation have to be based on honest assessment of their environmental impact. Natura 2 areas are mostly attractive tourism and recreation areas. Their development should be done in a sustainable way, based on such activities that do not affect the equilibrium of protected areas. Local s should see an opportunity here for economic growth in these areas. It is permissible to perform an investment that would significantly adversely affect the Natura 2 area, but only under specific conditions: if the investment is of paramount importance for the public interest and has no alternatives. In such cases, it is necessary to apply loss balancing measures, due to the investment's impact on the natural habitats of plants and animals.

82 2.16. Municipal economy Water supply Diagnosis of the socio-economic situation 16. Municipal economy The basis of the water supply for municipal purposes in the province are the groundwater intakes. The exception is the city of Szczecin, which is supplied with water mostly from Miedwie Lake. In 28, water withdrawal for water supply networks in the voivodeship amounted to 13. hm 3 (9th place in Poland), of which 23.8 hm 3 of water came from surface water intakes, and 79.2 hm 3 of the underground water intakes. Demand for water for industrial purposes is mostly met from own intakes, mainly surface ones. The voivodeship has one of the shortest water supply networks in Poland (14th place), its total length is 8 77 km (in 28). Compared with 1999 there has been growth in the length of the network by 25.5%, while the national average for the corresponding period is 29.1%. Waterworks saturation index, measured by the length of it on the 1 km 2 of region surface, according to data for 28 is the lowest in Poland and is 38 km per 1 km 2, with the national average 84 km per 1 km 2. But this is due to the low population density and does not adversely affect the proportion of the population using the water supply, which is in the region higher than the national average. Ensuring adequate quantity and quality of water is the biggest problem in the field of public utilities of the region. Supply difficulties occur in the western part of the coastal area. Most of the rural population is supplied with water by means of small local water supply systems, using the fragmented underground intakes. Their technical condition and the condition of water treatment are unsatisfactory. Tightening requirements for drinking water quality and rising exploration costs force the resignation of several intakes and creation of large group water systems. Expansion of water supply must be accompanied by the development of sewerage systems for the discharge of the supplied water to households. A project of "Integrated waste management in the basin Parsęta" is implemented. Its purpose is to provide municipalities in the investment area, one of the most attractive natural and tourist regions in Poland, with bulk sewage systems meeting the EU requirements and to ensure proper management of sediment and to provide water of appropriate quality for the residents. In the entire project area live of people. After the project's implementation, the part of people using the water supply network will grow to 98.3%, the collecting system and sewage treatment plants users will grow to 88.4% of the population in the project area - a 1% of urban population located in the project area, so about 221 thousands of people Sewage Since 1999, the length of the sewerage network in the region increased from 2,753.5 km to 4,992.3 km (about 81.3%), which gives the region the ninth place in Poland. Network saturation index is 21.8 km/1 km 2 and with the national average of 3.3 km/1 km 2 is one of the lowest in Poland (12th place). In spite of systematic investment, the ratio of the length of the sewage and the water supply networks is still negative and amounts to 57.3%. This value, however, gives the voivodeship second position in the country, for which the average is only 36.1%. There are 384 sewage treatment works in the region, of which 284 are community establishments. 6.1% of the population benefited from the sewage treatment plants in 28, including the various sub-regions: Stargard - 72,2%, Koszalin - 77,1%, Szczecin - 71,8% and 82

83 16. Municipal economy in the Szczecin city sub-region - 14,9% of residents. The amount of treatment requiring discharged wastewater in 28 amounted to 238 hm 3, and the majority (93.6%) was purified in varying degree. The treatment plants are used by 6% of the total population in the region, which places the region at the 11th place in Poland. The percentage of rural population using treatment plants amounts 4.7% ranks the region at 2nd place, at the national average of 25.7%. Since 2, the amount of treatment requiring wastewater is gradually decreasing, while the number of wastewater treated with purification processes increases. The largest amounts of wastewater come from large urban and industrial centers - Szczecin, Police, Gryfino, Stargard and Koszalin. In some districts a large part of the wastewater is still discharged without treatment. Sewage treatment plant construction in Szczecin caused a significant improvement Waste management Despite the systematic improvement, the status of municipal solid waste management as well as those from the economic sector in the Zachodniopomorskie province is still unsatisfactory. Among the methods of municipal waste management the collection in landfills still dominates. Most of the waste goes there without segregation, only a few objects perform the recovery of recyclable materials. Separate collection of waste at source is covered by most municipalities, but it is limited primarily to the packaging waste. Proportion of waste collected separately in the total weight of municipal waste is negligible, but in recent years has increased from the 1.5% in 22 to 4.8% in 27. The system of separate collection of biodegradable, bulky, and hazardous waste generated in households and electronic and electrical equipment functions poorly. There are gaps in the number of installations for the collection, recovery and disposal of municipal waste that meet the requirements of best available technology. In the years 21-27, 35 landfills were excluded from the operation, and there was 8 new facilities created. The Accession Treaty required the voivodeship to close a dozen subsequent landfills by 29. At the end of 27 there were 114 landfills in the region, of which 47 were exploited. Two objects have separate accommodation for the storage of asbestos waste (Dalsze-Myślibórz and Sianów). In five landfills degassing installations operate, using biogas to produce electricity (Sianów, Sierakowo, Szczecin-Klucz, Świnoujście-Przytór-Ognica and Smolęcin near Kołbaskowo). Amount of municipal waste land filled was reduced by half. This may mean the one hand, a de facto restriction of their production, on the other, an illegal disposal of them by incineration or the so-called illegal dumping. This problem may deepen in the next few years, when the cost of waste disposal will rise significantly. There is a need to educate the public on waste management and cooperation with local environmental control services. The situation will change significantly in connection with the construction of waste incineration plants in Szczecin and Koszalin. The pre-accession funds - ISPA, PHARE, SAPARD - played an important role in the development of municipal infrastructure. Investments mainly focused on improving water supply and sewage collection and treatment. During this period, however, there was a little investment taken in waste management. Under the Regional Operational Programme for the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for the period activities in the field of water and sewage infrastructure are financially supported, consisting of the construction or reconstruction of sewer collecting, pumping stations, reservoirs and water treatment plants, which result from the National Program for Municipal Wastewater Treatment. With the help of ROP also complex projects involving waste management are financed, among others the 83

84 16. Municipal economy selective waste collection, sorting, recycling facilities and recycling, bio-mechanical waste disposal and land reclamation projects for existing inactive landfills. To co-finance the improvement of environmental infrastructure in the period , the ROP assigned 61.3 million, representing 7.3% of the total allocation of EU funds in the ROP. In 28, the investment in long-term environmental protection means based on 1 inhabitant in the province amounted to PLN 87, including PLN 62 in Szczecin sub-region, PLN 45 in Koszalin, PLN 37 in Stargard, and PLN 212 in the Szczecin city sub-region. Figure 39. The inhabitants access to the municipal infrastructure, including a comparison with other regions in 28 % 2% 4% 6% 8% 1% access to water mains in cities 96,9% 3 access to water main in villages 85,2% 3 using treatment plants in villages using treatment plants in total using gas mains in cities 4,7% 6,1% 79,8% using gas mains in villages 11,5% 3 Position in the voivodeship ranking source: own work based on BDR CSO data. Challenges: In order to reduce adverse impact of the municipal management on the quality of the environment, especially on water quality, it is necessary to implement best practices in the development of urban infrastructure. Construction of a modern treatment plants will provide assistance in water quality standards meeting, while the construction of modern sewage treatment plant will improve the quality of the discharged wastewater. The aim should be to organize the municipal economy in urban areas through: upgrading water and sewage networks, improving drinking water quality, reducing the pollutants discharged into the environment and limiting the amount of waste going to landfill. The way to achieve this objective may be shaping the spatial order to increase the economic rationality of water and sanitation investments and to increase the functional efficiency of water supply, sewerage and waste systems. Further benefits can also be achieved by stimulating the cooperation of municipalities and local s in environmental area and municipal infrastructure, which would increase the profitability of investment undertaken and limit their social costs. 84

85 17. Spatial planning and urban development Spatial planning and urban development The current spatial planning plan was passed by the Parliament of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship on 26 June 22. Its primary function is the spatial implementation of the objectives of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy. Spatial planning is a continuous process, and therefore the plan will be periodically updated. In 26 the provincial began to change the zoning plan for the voivodeship. It takes into account such issues as the Metropolitan Area of Szczecin. Areas of municipalities are almost completely covered with studies of conditions and directions of spatial planning. The area of the voivodeship coverage with local land use plans amounts to few percent. The lack of such plans significantly hinders local s to control the shaping of spatial order, and also limits the interest in a given area on the part of investors. This constitutes a barrier for development in urban areas. Local authorities carry out their part of the tasks by decisions of localization for a public purpose and the decisions to establish development conditions. The region is diverse in terms of natural predispositions, and historical economic structure. Good illustration of this differentiation is made in the existing Spatial Development Plan, the division into 6 large-spatial and 28 functional areas: Map 8. Large-spatial and functional areas of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship source: Local Spatial Plan of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship. 85

86 17. Spatial planning and urban development I. the coastal zone - the intensive selective development, II. the zone of farming and multi-functional business activation, III. the agro-forestry economic zone of selective activation of business, including tourism development, IV. intensive agriculture zone, V. the zone of urbanization concentration - the Metropolitan Area of Szczecin of multifunctional development, VI. the zone of intensive multi-development and urbanization - the nodal area of Koszalin. Community of the region inhabits 63 cities and 3 62 rural localities grouped in sołectwa. The urban population consists of people, representing 68% of the population of the region. The urbanization rate is higher than the national average of 61.2% and places the region on the 3rd position in Poland. In comparison with the year 2 the urban population has declined by people, despite the fact that the province gain two new cities - Dziwnów since 24 and Tychowo from 21. In the years 2-29 the population of rural and semi-urban areas increased by 13 9 people. This is due to settling of town residents in suburbs. Rural areas in the area around Szczecin in 2-29 recorded a positive net migration of 11 people, half of which falls on the Dobra municipality. The spatial distribution of cities is quite uniform, however, large and medium-sized cities are located acentric, focusing on the borders of the voivodeship, mainly in the west and north. In the southeast there are two medium-sized cities (Szczecinek and Wałcz), in central and southern region are only small cities located. Szczecin is by far the dominant metropolitan center in terms of size and importance, focusing on the scale of the region's largest economic potential. 24% of the population of the region lives there, only 3 voivodeships in Poland have a higher percentage of concentration in the largest city. This is one of the major poles of development of the national economy, the center of European significance, and the administrative center of the voivodeship. Koszalin is the second largest center for the voivodeship. It is a complementary to Szczecin centre of service of voivodeship, distinguished in terms of economic potential, size and significance. Over 43% of the total area of the voivodeship is arable grounds ( ha), of which 75.7% include arable land ( ha). Overall, the country's arable grounds occupy 51.7% of total area. The Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship is dominated by forested areas, which account for 36.7% of the region. Challenges: Regardless of the need for local plans to cover all urban and investment areas, the performance of planning studies for the functional areas is also desirable, covering the Metropolitan Area of Szczecin, the agglomeration of Koszalin and the area of intensive farming. They should be created with the participation of all interested s and institutions. The phenomenon of chaotic housing in suburban areas should be prevented, and the land reserves for future commercial investment should be created. The lack of major urban centre in the central part of the voivodeship should be compensated by creating a development area based on the group smaller cities: Drawsko Pomorskie, Złocieniec, Czaplinek, Połczyn Zdrój, Świdwin and Łobez. In rural areas, new investments should be made in a range of local development centres, providing an access to the routes, which will strengthen the settlements and increase the return on investments. This ensures proper access to public services. Cost-effective, balanced 86

87 17. Spatial planning and urban development management of construction sites prevents the loss of landscape features and minimizes the negative impact on the environment. A major challenge is to use the available local capacity to reconcile environmental priorities and the investment needs. Protected areas should not be only a limiting factor, in accordance with sustainable development policy; their development should be encouraged for the benefit of the region's economy. For this purpose the ecophisiography of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship was developed during the study of landscape adjustment. 87

88 2.18. Housing Diagnosis of the socio-economic situation 18. Housing The housing stock of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship by the basic forms of ownership includes the housing owned by: housing cooperatives (37.9%), housing communities (39.5%), municipalities - council housing (17,2%). Furthermore, the owners of realities in the province are the Treasury (1.7%), companies (1.3%) and building societies (2.4%). In the Zachodniopomorskie the proportion of housing belonging to the building societies is the highest in Poland. In years the province reported steady and stable increase in the number of dwellings. In this period the number of dwellings increased by 21.6 thousands, and compared to the year 24 increased by 3.8%. In 28, dwellings were given to use, 7.2% more than in the previous year. This represented 4.2% of newly given to use venues in the country. As per 1 inhabitants in the whole region there were 4.1 flats opened, while for the individual sub-regions: Stargard sub-region - 2.1, Koszalin - 3.4, the sub-city of Szczecin - 4.7, and 7. in the Szczecin city sub-region. The housing stock of voivodeship included at the end of December 28 about 592 of premises. 46.9% of dwellings built were intended for sale or rent, the constructions carried out by individual investors is 39.%, while social housing is 6.9% of the investments realized. In the period of 24-28, the number of rooms in dwellings of the region increased from to , an increase of 4.%. Their size is increased by 5.6%, from 37.3 million to 39.4 million m². All sanitary engineering facilities are available in the voivodeship in more houses than the national average suggests. The availability of these systems, high on the national background, occurs in the case of home furnishings in the water supply in rural areas (1st place in the country), cities (3rd), the presence of bathrooms in the villages (3rd). Table 2. Houses furnished with the sanitary-technical installations in Poland and the region in 28 water mains bathroom central heating city village city village city village Zachodniopomorskie 99,7 (3) 96,4 (1) 93,3 (8) 85,2 (2) 87,3 (7) 67,6 (5) Poland 98,5 88,7 92, 75,5 84,5 64, source: own study based on BDR GUS data (in brackets the voivodeship's place on the background of the country). In 28, most homes were transferred to use in Szczecin (1 911), Police District (861), Kołobrzeg District(71) and in Świnoujście (658). In per 1 inhabitants in 28, most homes were completed in Świnoujście (167.5), Police District (128.2) and in the Kołobrzeg District (92.7) at an average of voivodeship amounting 41,2. The index of the completed dwellings number per 1 inhabitants gives voivodeship the 9th place in Poland. A very strong imbalance in the development of the housing is noticeable between the coastal belt and the largest cities in the region and the eastern and southern parts of the voivodeship. In the coastal districts it's primarily a luxury apartment building, characterized by high finishing standards and small areas of flats, that affects the situation. The high level of dwellings number and their usable floor space growth in urban in units is particularly noticeable in the neighbouring to Szczecin District of Police, where the community of Dobra and Kołbaskowo begin to play the role of the metropolis housing backup. 88

89 18. Housing Figure 4. New buildings completed by division of sub-regions in the years Koszalin sub-region Stargard sub-region City of Szczecin sub-region Szczecin sub-region source: own study based on BDR GUS data. In Koszalin and Stargard sub-regions and the Szczecin city sub-region the number of newly developed buildings exceeded the value from 25. In the Koszalin sub-region the amount is significantly higher than in other sub-regions. However, counting the sub-region of Szczecin and the Szczecin city sub-region together, the amount is about 272 units higher and amounts to in 28. Despite the large number of dwellings given for use in the region in recent years, the voivodeship still loses in terms of size of dwellings, as well as their surface area per capita. Both in terms of the average dwelling space (the voivodeship m², the country m²) and the average dwelling space for one person (the voivodeship m², the country m²), the voivodeship takes 13th place in Poland. The largest areas of dwellings in 28 were reported in counties of Koszalin (82.3 m²), Sławieński (78.1 m²), Police (77.8 m²). The smallest average usable floor area of dwellings in 28 was recorded in counties townships: Świnoujście (59.8 m²), Szczecin (6.7 m²) and Koszalin (6,8 m²). 89

90 18. Housing Figure 41. Dwellings completed per 1 inhabitants in the districts of the voivodeship in 28 [pieces] numbers of units ,5 Zachodniopomorskie 6 128,2 41,2 4 92,7 2 48,6 46,9 43,4 4,6 37,8 34,7 22,4 22,2 21,3 2,9 19,5 16,8 15,4 14,5 13,1 8,9 6,5 4,8 m.świnoujście policki kołobrzeski kamieński m.szczecin m.koszalin koszaliński stargardzki goleniowski gryficki szczecinecki gryfiński sławieński wałecki pyrzycki drawski białogardzki myśliborski świdwiński łobeski choszczeński source: own study based on BDR GUS data. Figure 1. Average usable floor space per capita in the districts of the voivodeship in 28 [m²] 3 28 square meters ,8 26 Zachodniopomorskie 23,3 25,4 24,6 24,2 23,8 23,4 23,2 22,8 22,4 22,3 22,2 22,1 22,1 21,9 21,7 21,4 21 2,9 2,8 2 kołobrzeski kamieński policki m.świnoujście koszaliński sławieński m.szczecin m.koszalin gryficki szczecinecki wałecki drawski goleniowski białogardzki świdwiński łobeski myśliborski gryfiński choszczeński stargardzki pyrzycki source: own study based on BDR GUS data. An average of 23.9 sq meters of living space falls for one person in the region. In 28, the largest surface was attributed to the inhabitants of different districts: Kołobrzeg, Kamień and the Police. The smallest surface was attributed to the inhabitants of Pyrzycki, Stargardzki and Choszczeński districts. Noticeable improvement of housing indicators can be expected in the municipalities making up the largest conurbations in the voivodeship. This will be particularly apparent in setting up the agglomeration of Szczecin, Police District and exhibit increasingly higher levels of economic development Goleniów District. Strong housing development in the agglomeration of Szczecin will also be noticeable in the western part of the Stargard District and the northern part of Gryfino District. Probably the further development of construction carried out by building societies shall take place. It should be emphasized that the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship has the highest in Poland percentage of homes owned and managed by societies. The scale of investments made by the municipal building societies of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship on the previously set aside land may help to revive the housing market. 9

91 18. Housing The characteristic feature Szczecin surroundings are the phenomenon of Polish citizens settled in the bordering districts of the provinces of Eastern Germany. Although it is not massive, but with facilitated movement of persons it may have an impact on change in the nature of demand for housing and increasing quality demands of the Szczecin agglomeration residents in this area. Challenges: In recent years the urban centres have become unattractive for residents. Therefore, efforts should be made to improve the quality of life in downtown areas, mainly due to the revitalization programs, raising the quality of the residential fabric, its surrounding infrastructure and the creation of attractive public spaces. Individual housing sector is growing the most in rural areas around large cities. Due to the land costs, the localization of the new, especially single-family buildings goes out of the cities into the suburban areas. This phenomenon is supported by the widespread use of a car. The implementation of housing projects outside of urban areas causes transfer of the urban population to suburban areas, mostly without any change of employment. This causes changes in the daily cycle of population mobility, and ultimately generates increased transportation needs of commuting to work and services. Maintaining the trend of urban sprawl should be regarded as a negative phenomenon. Many people have no opportunity to acquire housing on the open market. Therefore, it is important for the local s and to conduct an appropriate housing policy. In this situation the social housing and public building societies will become an important segment of the housing industry (BS). 91

92 19. Regional balance and the wealth of inhabitants Regional balance and the wealth of inhabitants In the first years of the XXI century the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship was the slowest developing region in Poland. The GDP growth dynamics in was 57.4% in the voivodeship (76.8% for the whole of Poland). In 27 the national GDP from the voivodeship was million PLN, which placed the region in 9 th position in the country. In each of the Zachodniopomorskie sub-regions was growing slower than the average growth rate in the country. Amongst 66 Polish sub-regions, the Koszalin subregion was in 37 th place with a GDP growth of 71.%, Stargard in 6 th place (6.9%), Szczecin in 61 st place (6/7%) and the subregion city of Szczecin in second from last, 65 th place with a GDP growth of 43.9% in Particularly low growth rate was noted in the voivodeship during The reason behind 4-5% of this decrease was the collapse of Stocznia Szczecińska. The growth dynamics of GDP in placed the voivodeship in 13 th place in the country. Low growth rate of the voivodeship influenced the share of the Zachodniopomorskie in the national GDP. In this share decreased from 4.51% to 3.99%. Figure 43. Share of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship GDP in the national GDP in ,6% 4,4% 4,2% 4,% 3,8% 3,6% source: Reports on the impact of global recession on the socio-economic situation in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship and its consequences for the tasks of the voivodeship local. Szczecin 29. Even in 2, the per capita GDP in the voivodeship was at 11.7% of the national GDP. In 27 it decreased to 89.8%. During 2-21 GDP per capita in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship was higher than the most similar voivodeship, Pomorskie. In 27 it was already lower by 8.7 percentage points. 92

93 19. Regional balance and the wealth of inhabitants Figure 44. GDP per capita (current prices), Poland=1;2-27 Polish voivodeships and sub-regions of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship ,1 15, 15,2 138,6 134,1 132, 129,3 128,1 mazowieckie m.szczecin dolnośląskie śląskie wielkopolskie Polska pomorskie łódzkie zachodniopomorskie ,7 99,4 95,7 98,1 94,7 92,7 95,2 94,7 92,8 91,5 83,8 84,5 82,7 82,7 84,1 71,3 7,1 68,1 67,3 66,9 92,8 91,1 89,8 9,1 85,2 87,5 82,4 83,2 8,8 66,5 64, source: own work based on BDR GUS data. 63,8 lubuskie reg. szczeciński kujawsko-pomorskie małopolskie opolskie reg. koszaliński świętokrzy skie warmińsko-mazurskie podlaskie lubelskie podkarpackie reg. stargardzki Figure 45. Change dynamics in the national GDP share during MAZOWIECKIE 7,4% DOLNOŚLĄSKIE 2,54% WIELKOPOLSKIE 1,98% MAŁOPOLSKIE 1,62% PODLASKIE -,52% POMORSKIE -,56% ŁÓDZKIE -,78% KUJAWSKO- -1,59% POMORSKIE LUBUSKIE -2,9% ŚWIĘTOKRZYSKIE -2,63% ŚLĄSKIE -3,43% OPOLSKIE -3,84% WARMIŃSKO- -5,78% MAZURSKIE PODKARPACKIE -6,13% LUBELSKIE -6,21% ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE -1,98% -12% -9% -6% -3% % 3% 6% 9% source: own work based on BDR GUS data. 1,9 Figure 46. GDP in total, Zachodniopomorskie as compared to Poland, year 1999 = 1 1,77 1,8 1,7 1,59 1,6 1,48 1,5 1,57 1,39 1,4 1,44 1,3 1,27 1,36 1,21 1,17 1,28 1,2 1,12 1,1 1,18 1,19 1,15 1,13 1, source: own work based on BDR GUS data. mazowieckie dolnośląskie wielkopolskie małopolskie Polska podlaskie pomorskie łódzkie kuj awsko-pomorskie lubuskie świętokrzyskie śląskie opolskie warmińsko-mazurskie podkarpackie lubelskie zachodniopomorskie In 27 the national GDP per capita in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship was PLN (3 873 PLN in Poland). The distribution of the gross domestic product produced 93

94 19. Regional balance and the wealth of inhabitants in the voivodeship indicates that there are significant differences with regards to wealth of individual sub-regions. The highest GDP was observed in the city of Szczecin sub-region ( PLN) in the other sub-regions the gross domestic product was as follows: Szczecin sub-region 27 PLN, Koszalin sub-region PLN, Stargard sub-region PLN. The level of GDP per capita as a percentage of the European Union value (EU=1) varied in West Pomerania between 23% and 28% and was displaying a slightly upward trend. The region was developing significantly slower than most of the country s regions, which joined the EU in 24. The Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship was showing a weaker convergence and thus was the slowest to be approaching the average European Union level. Map 9. Level of economic growth in communes in 22 and 27 source: Reports on the impact of global recession on the socio-economic situation in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship and its consequences for the tasks of the voivodeship local. Szczecin 29. Based on the synthetic growth indicator, taking on values in the range <, 1> scientists at the University of Szczecin estimated that the highest level of development in was exhibited by all of the municipal districts of the voivodeship, other words cities: Szczecin, Koszalin i Świnoujście and districts of Kołobrzeg, Police and Goleniów. Compared to 22 all of the districts experienced economic growth. The highest value of the indicator was noted in the following districts: Kołobrzeski,,25, city of Świnoujście,,25, Goleniowski,.24 and Sławno, Białogard and Police,,22. The lowest growth of the indicator was noted in the districts of: Stargard,.11, Pyrzyce.12 and Choszczno.14. The average monthly gross income in the voivodeship in 27 and 28 was 2 615,83 PLN and 2 881, PLN respectively 13. The highest earnings were achieved by people working in the financial agency industry, whose average gross monthly income was 4 59,39 PLN. High incomes were also achieved by people employed in public administration, transport and some sectors of industry such as energy and mining. In 26 the average gross monthly income in the region was equal to 2 46,98 PLN, in ,99 PLN and in ,63 PLN. In 28 a disproportion appeared in favour of the western parts of the voivodeship in terms of the average monthly gross income. In the summary of income levels in the voivodeship, it is in 6 th place in Poland, with the national average of 3 158,48 PLN.. In the 13 Data does not include economic entities with 9 or less employees. 94

95 19. Regional balance and the wealth of inhabitants region, the social exclusion sphere is growing faster than in other voivodeships and the growth rate of household wealth is slower than elsewhere. Figure 47. The average monthly gross income in voivodeships as compared to the national average in % % 1% 8% 6% 4% 2% % mazowieckie śląskie pomorskie dolnoślaskie małopolskie zachodniopomorskie opolskie wielkopolskie podlaskie lubelskie świętokrzyskie łódzkie kujawsko-pomorskie lubuskie podkarpackie warmińsko-mazurskie source: own work based on BDR GUS data. In 28 in domestic dwellings on a per inhabitant basis within the voivodeship there was the largest proportion, of up to 26.8% of expenditures spent on food and non-alcoholic drinks (fort the whole country this average was 25.6%), 19.7% was spent on housing and energy carriers (18,9%), and 7,7% on transport (1,1%). The lowest average monthly expenses were recorded for education, where 1.1% was spent (1,2% average in the whole country) and restaurant and hotel visits - 2,2% (2,%). 3,1% of household expenditure was on alcoholic drinks and tobacco products (2,6%), and 4,% on health (4,8%). 95

96 2.2. Horizontal perspectives Diagnosis of the socio-economic situation 2.Horizontal perspectives The socio-economic situation of Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship is of multidimensional and dynamic character. It is impossible to present all of its aspects using the division into diagnostic areas determined for Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship Development Strategy. There are horizontal issues which require a separate approach. These are: the crossborder dimension, international cooperation, metropolitan dimension and the role of conurbation, the rural areas and public space, and revitalization. The conclusions of the assessment with regard to the horizontal dimensions are expressed in activities and indexes formulated for particular objectives The Cross-border Dimension Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship is specific due to its location near the border of two countries, between the sea and land, along the border river of Odra. Traditionally, the most intensive external relations of the region are with the border provinces of Germany: Mecklenburg and Brandenburg. The communication connections with Germany, including the condition of roads and the railway line, are systematically improved. This does not correspond with the unsatisfactory degree of logistic infrastructure, related to the cross-border transport, which so far has not been developed within Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship on the level that was achieved in other regions of similar specificity, E.G. in the borderland of Germany and Netherlands or in the border areas of eastern Poland. The development of harbours in Schwedt and Police reduced the domination of the harbour complex of Szczecin- Świnoujście. In the future, more intensive relations are planned in the energy sector, with regard to the expansion of transmission systems and networks in the borderland. The region s location is significant for relations including the environment protection through the possibility of influencing, as part of the EU legislation, the emergence and impact of new factories on the both sides of the border. The prospects for economic and scholar cooperation still remain unsatisfied, including the projects such as BalticNet-PlasmaTec. The microeconomic significance of marketplaces is decreasing. However, the sales offer of Szczecin and other towns in the Polish border area is attractive for German citizens who are also customers of vacation centres, sanatoriums and specialist clinics as well as cultural institutions. Therefore, the particular towns in the region try to take advantage of their location near the border as their chief asset in the development of tourism. The surplus in the balance of cross-border exchange achieved by Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship is systematically growing. This is the result of both the price differences as well as quality and versatility of the offer. It is typical for the region that its inhabitants settle in the nearby German districts. In 29 about 7 families from Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship, mostly from Szczecin and areas around the city, settled in Mecklenburg Western Pomerania, about 5 moved to Brandenburg. The intensification of the mentioned processes will result in the increasing quality of life as the effect of the cross-border exchange of goods and services, reducing its costs by common development and exploitation of the infrastructure. The growth in the economic and social relations with the nearby regions of Scandinavia is also insufficient. The trade exchange between Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship and the area is lower than this achieved by Wielkopolskie and Dolnośląskie voivodeship. The sales offer of the cities in Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship, as well as the availability of places for golf playing and hunting, is relatively attractive for Swedish and Danish citizens. The language barrier is vanishing as the general knowledge of English is being improved. 96

97 2.Horizontal perspectives The voivodeship boasts favourable development in terms of the cross-border cooperation between local s which is visible in cultural projects, youth exchange, as well as the development of the infrastructural links (E.G. road connections, the ferry crossing in Gozdowice). It is based on legal and financial tools of cooperation, particularly functioning of Pomerania Euro region, and the funds available within the European Territorial Cooperation, including the South Baltic Programme and the Interregional Cooperation Programme Interreg IV. Further strengthening of the cooperation will be possible as part of the Odra Partnership. It is predicted that, as the country borders are losing in significance, the number of inhabitants in Mecklenburg Western Pomerania is falling, and the economic and social integration of the borderland is progressing, Szczecin will gradually achieve the status of cross-border development centre, affecting also Germany. The border river of Odra, Lagoon of Szczecin, and Uznam Island being under the administration of both countries, constitute the natural space for the planning initiatives and their implementation. During the next years, the significance of Berlin as a leading European Metropolis will grow, actually influencing the functioning of the surrounding areas, including Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship and particularly Szczecin which is a large city and economic centre. The construction of the new intercontinental airport of Berlin Brandenburg International (BBI) within the territory of the former Schönefeld airport is of key importance in this process. In development of the Berlin conurbation it is necessary to undertake actions aimed at the formation of the desired communication links, distinctiveness of Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship, and the profile of its offer. In respect to the above, among other things, the role of the airport of Szczecin-Goleniów will change. An important sign of the voivodeship international activity are its attempts to expand the Central European Transport Corridor (CETC-ROUTE65). The technical secretariat of this initiative is based in the Marshal Office of Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship. The development of the economic and cultural links with the neighboring countries will significantly increase the voivodeship potential. It is recommended to develop them by improving the transport connections, coordinating the physical planning, creating the network of organizational and institutional links, as well as undertaking a variety of informative and promotional activities International Cooperation The measure of the voivodeship potential and its diversified economic, cultural, and social links is conducting active international cooperation. The cooperation is based on the tasks and trends in foreign policy of Poland, including these relating to the role of local and regional communities, at the same time retaining its own specificity and priorities. The voivodeship international cooperation is oriented at making full use of the development possibilities connected with the Polish membership in the European Union. The local s, universities, scientific and research institutions, youth circles, education centers, non-al organizations, and artistic circles are involved in the cooperation. It takes a form of co-participation in educational programmes, exchange of information, common preparation of projects financed by the European Union, organizing mutual presentations, traineeships abroad, studio visits as well as activities that support learning foreign languages. The voivodeship location in Europe is the most important factor determining the trends in its international cooperation. The closest relations are with Mecklenburg Western Pomerania and Brandenburg, as those are the neighboring provinces for the voivodeship. A 97

98 2.Horizontal perspectives relevant element of collaboration among the regions situated in the catchment area of Odra river is the cooperation within the scope of using the river for economic and tourist purposes, the cooperation between rescue services including the repair of damages resulting from catastrophes and natural disasters, cooperation in the field of physical planning and the environment protection, as well as creation of attractive communication infrastructure with Odra river as its axis. Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship attempts to involve other partners in the works relating to the implementation of the concept of the Central European Transport Corridor (CETC-ROUTE65). The region of the Baltic Sea, where the cooperation covers the region of Skåne in Sweden, the federal state of Mecklenburg Western Pomerania in Germany, and the Exclave of Kaliningrad in Russia, constitutes the priority area for the voivodeship. The partnership has been established also with the regions of the Baltic Sea countries the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein and the city of Hamburg (Germany), the region of Oulu (Finland), the region of Klaipeda (Russia), the region of Vilnius (Lithuania), and the region of Pärnu (Estonia), as well as the district authority of the town of Niemenczyn. The subject of the cooperation with partners from Western Europe involves the common initiatives concerning the development of metropolitan functions of the cities, the development of rural areas, tourism, education, social communication, water management, renewable energy, creation of the information infrastructure and modern administration. The relations with the Exclave of Kaliningrad (The Russian Federation) and Mykolaiv Oblast (Ukraine) are characteristic due to the exchange of experience in the field of free-market changes and democratization, as well as cooperation in the field of economy and culture. The voivodeship established cooperation also with the province of Guangdong in China which mainly takes the form of economic missions, exchange of scholars and students, and is focused on the projects related to innovation and support for the economy based on knowledge. A relevant role in this cooperation is played by economic entities, higher education schools, and scientific and research centres. The international cooperation is also implemented by the local units. The German cities constitute the largest group of their partners (65%) as well as the cities in Sweden, Russia, and Netherlands. Active participation in international institutions and organizations is the necessary instrument to conduct the international cooperation. Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship is the member of Baltic Sea States Subregional Cooperation. This is a political organization which involves about 16 regions of the Baltic Sea states, acting to reinforce the cooperation between them, including the methods based on their own financial instruments, and establish contact between their inhabitants. Between 211 and 213 Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship will take the leadership in BSSSC. Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship is also a member of the Polish and German Inter-al Committee for Regional and Cross-border Cooperation, Interregional Agreement for the Creation of a Central European Transport Corridor (CETC-ROUTE65), Baltic Development Forum, the Visegrad Group Countries Forum of Regions, and the Central-European Initiative. The voivodeship cooperates also with the Committee of the Regions, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CLRAE), and European Regional Information Society Association (ERIS@). The international position of the voivodeship is largely the result of the fact that the seat of Pomerania Euroregion authorities and the headquarters of NATO Multinational Corps are located within its territory. The initiative of international cooperation area called Odra Partnership, initiated in 26, is developed. It is aimed at creation of the cooperation network in the region, including Zachodniopomorskie, Lubuskie, Dolnośląskie, Wielkopolskie voivodeship as well as Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg Western Pomerania, and Saxony. It is to become an internationally competitive area of trade and economy. The main elements of cooperation in 98

99 2.Horizontal perspectives the area of Odra Partnership are: innovations, support for small and medium enterprises, transfer of technologies, renewable energy, transport and logistics, and tourism Metropolitan Dimension and the Role of Conurbation At the scale of the whole voivodeship, the role of Szczecin and Koszalin, as the economic and cultural centers, is becoming more and more important. The process is driven by the constant movement of the demographic and economic potential towards large cities, but also by the legal requirements related to the development of conurbation and metropolitan areas. In further development of the city groups it is necessary to discard the barriers and restrictions in the field of physical planning, transport policy, waste management, or environment protection. The initial stage of the region secondary urbanization was characterized by the integration of the region s human and economic resources within the conurbation, migration to towns and growing difference in the quality of life in relation to the peripheral areas. The idea of the sustainable development policy is visible in defining new role of small units. The metropolitan centers, retaining its dominant position, stimulate development of the peripheral areas by the transfer of ideas, knowledge, capital, and production measures, and by increasing their role as the service and raw material reserves for the city organisms. The changes occurring in this respect in the area of Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship and the lifestyle of its inhabitants are analogical to the processes occurring in other European countries. Two largest cities of the region constitute the source of the most important factors stimulating the development of the surrounding area. The Koszalin conurbation development reinforces its direct link with the coastal area influencing the service and tourist sector development in the region. Reinforcement of the metropolitan position of Szczecin is largely connected with undertaking the role of the centre providing services for the neighboring communes. At the same time, the city is an example of particularly strong suburbanization trends oriented at the West. The number of inhabitants in the western communes (Kołbaskowo, Dobra) is growing, while the number of people living in the city is falling. The city is becoming more and more important as the centre of cross-border influence on the Polish and German borderland. Establishing the city s position as a significant centre of cooperation in the Baltic area, with numerous economic, scholar, and cultural links, may be another area of expansion and development in terms of relations. The formal framework for the development of metropolitan function of Szczecin will be the Act on Planning the Metropolitan Areas Development, the State Regional Development Strategy, the Concept of Physical Development of the Country, the updated Physical Development Plan of the voivodeship. The task of the Association of Szczecin Metropolitan Area is to make the cooperation among the communes of the metropolis more closely. The economic strength and development potential of the metropolis are increasingly determined by the degree of integration of functions and potentials within their area. In the case of Szczecin, the integration processes will be related to, above all, the transport, communication, and communal solutions, spatial management, administrative platforms, and social communication. The neighboring communes within the area of the metropolis may avoid overlapping some of the expensive investments, both infrastructural and social ones. A chance for development is the large-scale implementation of revitalization projects, aimed at the degradation prevention in relation to urbanized space and social structures, as well as stimulating the development, increasing the social and economic activity, improvement of the inhabitation environment, and national heritage protection. 99

100 2.Horizontal perspectives It is necessary to raise the awareness of local s members and inhabitants of the communes within the conurbation with respect to the requirements relating to the integration of city organisms. The peripheral and central areas shall be at last linked closely together to comprise a cooperation network and vibrant economic entities Rural Areas In 28 the rural areas took 1,131.5 thousand ha, it constitutes 94% of the whole space of Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship, which is approximately the state average value. At the same time, the region is at one of the leading positions in the classification of Natura 2 in terms of the number and space of the specified natural sanctuaries. The number of inhabitants living in the rural areas is significantly lower than in other parts of the country, taking into consideration the total number of inhabitants in the region. One of the lowest population densities in the rural areas, 24 people per km 2 on average, results from the high level of the region urbanization, high forestation rate, and fragmented rural settlement network. The region features one of the lowest populations of people living in the rural areas since they were born: it constitutes a little more than 5% in comparison to almost 8% in Podkarpackie and Małopolskie voivodeship. Only in four voivodeships (Zachodniopomorskie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, and Warmińsko-Mazurskie) men constituted a majority in the population structure according to sex. The percentage of people making their living mainly from agriculture is very low. The balance of migration between city and village reveals that a majority of people move to the rural areas. This is mainly a result of educated and well-off people moving to the communes situated near large cities, retaining their relations with the city through work, trade, services. During the next decades, with the constantly falling number of the state population, the inhabitants of rural areas will be a relatively young community in comparison with the people living in cities. The intensity of the demographic process of the population getting older in the rural areas, also in Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship, will be much weaker than in cities. The pace and character of rural communes development in Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship is still determined by, above all, its location and quality of human resources. The communes situated in the seaside zone specialize in tourist services generating high incomes. Thanks to the location the favorable development includes also the communes situated near large economic centers (Szczecin and Koszalin), functioning as housing reserves with the use of the conurbation potential of labour and service market. Then, a substantial number of peripheral communes in relation to large cities, which are of monofunctional nature and are still dominated by the agricultural production, are developing much slower. Farms with large and relatively dense crop space are dominating. Negative effects of the socio-economic changes that took place in the time of the Polish People s Republic, and their consequences after 1989, are still visible in the economic situation and ownership in the rural areas. The fall of State Collective Farms was of economic significance it referred to substantial areas of the voivodeship and influenced the entire economic situation of the communes but it also affected the community which to some extent was unable to function in the reality of free-market economy. Relatively small changes took place in the area potential. Between 1989 and 28 the recorded space of usable agricultural lands in Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship diminished by 29.5 thousand ha (2.7% of total space of usable agricultural lands), including 17.3 thousand ha of arable lands and orchards (2%), and the space of permanent grasslands diminished by 19.2 thousand ha (8.4%). 1

101 2.Horizontal perspectives The loss of communal and social infrastructure reserves in the area of production farms health centers, nurseries, kindergartens, cultural centers was much more severe. Frequently, communes themselves are unable to deal with the constant socioeconomic and spatial degradation of these lands as well as the unstable living situation of the population, which is visible in the weakness of labour market, constant dependence on the social assistance. The lack of human resources goes hand in hand with the lack of economic capital forming the basis for intensification of the economic changes. In Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship a little more than 7% of buildings and 48% of flats in residential buildings in rural areas belong to individuals, while in the region of Podkarpackie and in Świętokrzyskie voivodeship even 98% of residential buildings and 94% of flats are owned privately. Then, in Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship there is a high number of co-owned residential buildings (about 1/5 of the total number of residential buildings in rural areas), while in the south-eastern part of the country the percentage is just.5 1% of all the buildings. Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship is still tackled by the social infrastructure deficits, characteristic for rural areas across the country. Above all, they are visible in the insufficient development of cultural, tourist network of outposts, as well as schools, tutelary and health care outposts. The educational opportunities for children living in rural areas are limited due to the barriers related to functioning of the education system in village (E.G. limited access to kindergartens, lower qualifications of the teaching staff, poor educational offer after junior high school) and the financial situation of families living in village. Choosing the route of education, especially after junior high school, is determined by the educational offer available in the closest area, transport possibilities, the costs of transport to school or living away from home. The modernization and development of rural areas in the voivodeship should be based on, above all, the possessed resources and geographical and environmental factors. At the scale of the country, the region features a positive agrarian structure and high level of agriculture which results in relatively better utilization of the agricultural production potential (the soil, capital, and labour). Gradually, the farms undergo the diversification process towards a non-agricultural activity. The rural areas of the voivodeship boast favourable conditions for village tourism and farm tourism development due to low level of industrialization, and particularly the favourable natural and landscape and cultural conditions. In some parts of the voivodeship there are favourable conditions for the development of renewable energy production Public spaces and revitalization Together with an increase in social capita, more and more attention is paid to the quality of life, as a result of which the management of public spaces and their organisation is on the increase. Public spaces influence the quality of life, tourist attractiveness, competitiveness and the image of the town and thus the whole region. For the quality of public spaces is influenced by its saturation and the standard of such urban landscape elements as squares, streets in central areas of cities and villages, picturesque routes and village panoramas, parks, walking areas. In case of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship the quality of public spaces is to a large extent dependant on the level of social capital. After the destruction of WWII and the period of fundamental communal infrastructure modernisation, many cities, including Szczecin are only now regaining the urban setting based on the old assumptions or which is full and 11

102 2.Horizontal perspectives comprehensive. There are a few examples where this process is carried out taking into account the requirements of accessibility and multi-functionality of public spaces. During the last few tens of years, it was subject in cities to the requirements of vehicle communication, whereas since the turn of the XX and XXI centuries another important factor are the trading centres and their role in the urban landscape. To a larger extent activities undertaken to improve the quality of life for inhabitants are underway. Local s try to improve the functionality of streets and sidewalks, in Szczecin, Szczecinek or Świnoujście, as well as in other towns which have a tourist character, areas without vehicle traffic have been set aside. Amongst the local investments, there are more and more projects regarding cultural and sports institutions or walking trails. A gradual revitalization of the non developed areas and those withdrawn from use such as in Śródodrze in Szczecin, north-east Świnoujście or the old town of Kołobrzeg and Stargard Szczeciński. A thorough modernisation was carried out in the central parts of smaller cities such as Barlinek, Czapliek, Połczyn, Darłowo. The scope of renovation works in relation to historic structures, including those aimed at the improvement of their safety and accessibility is still inadequate. The activities aimed at the revitalizing of historic town centres, including by reforming the housing stocks with the revitalised areas should be consequently followed through. In larger centres the development of residential housing on the outskirts is in progress with a lack of municipal infrastructure of public spaces, green areas, ecological route solution and roads with the necessary parameters. Significant areas (often attractively located) are still administered by the army, which influences the process of open space creation. In Szczecin, there is still a large area of garden allotments located based on the old urban-spatial conditions and occupying potentially attractive investment land. Together with the development of a reads network and their and the ensuing appearance of commercial, production structures around them with a unregulated layout which worsen the safety conditions of traffic, increasing the costs of developing and operation of the infrastructure and with a negative impact on the quality of landscape. The voivodeship has numerous areas of a recreational character located mainly in the costal belt and the lake districts, creating a public space which serves both the inhabitants and tourists. It encompasses the areas of holiday villages as well as tourist trails, basins, recreational structures and locations. Practically along the whole length of the Baltic coast a beach with many usable attributes is available, however only in the left bank Świnoujście (Uznam Island) its natural widening is occurring. In the remaining parts the erosion of the coast line is progressing and the gradual regression of land, and the beach width in some places (e.g.: Dziwnów, Kawcza Góra, Kołobrzeg, Ustronie Morskie) can reduced to as little as a few meters. In the urban areas, the waterfront space is still underdeveloped, as an area which is at the meeting point of land and water with respect to implementing specific urban solutions. Projects aimed at increasing the accessibility and attractiveness of the port areas and shore lines are being implemented as important tourist attributes as well as areas for the integration and social activity of the local inhabitants (e.g.: in Szczecin, Gryfino, Wolin, Darłowo). In many cases the development of public spaces is an integral part of the change in use of structures. New projects are prepared and implemented, which aim to revitalize areas based on the natural location attributes and changing their old economic uses by developing the areas for housing, culture, recreation and trade. New character functionality is being added to ex army areas, ex port areas and soon probably ex ship yard areas. Amongst completed structures of destined to be implemented in the near future the following should be noted: tram depot in Szczecin at ul. Kolumba currently an office building, tram depot Szczecin Niemierzyn Museum of Technology and Communication Art Depot, the manufacturer of office supplies Delfin in Szczecin loft style flats, oil mill by ul. Dębogórska in Szczecin 12

103 2.Horizontal perspectives ballet school of the Balet Foundation, ex army buildings in Szczecin at ul. śołnierska a campus of a number of Szczecin s higher education establishments, Zakłady Naprawy Taboru Kolejowego in Stargard Szczeciński Stargard Industrial park, transformer station in Szczecin at ul. Wojska Polskiego office building, transformer station in Szczecin at ul. Świętego Ducha Contemporary art centre Art Trafostation The only and unique example of renovation and revitalization is the city of Borne Sulinowo in the district of Szczecin ex Soviet army barracks. Challenges in the scope of revitalization are certainly the two ex army airbases as well as the deserted town of Kłomino (Gródek) which used to be the bedroom of Soviet soldiers stationed in As part of the revitalization activities it is important to re-activate rural areas and assets. This entails the preservation and protection of the traditional rural landscape variety, care for the green areas, small country architecture and rural urban complexes, revitalization of townships cantered around old state farms as well as the prevention of the negative effects of dispersion of settlements. The renovation of mansions and estates from the pre-war era is a challenge, as most of them are devastated and not developed (e.g.: Swobnica, Rynowo, Lesięcin, DreŜewo, Łoźnica, Otok, Mielęcin). Revitalization processes should be treated as a factor supporting entrepreneurship and investment processes. Public spaces of a high quality are a significant factor influencing the interest of companies in the area based on the knowledge of qualified workforce. Local s and communities should also, to a larger degree, develop the available space through civil and cultural reactivation as well as the return of natural function to water adjacent industrial and port areas as well as ex army areas which are subject to revitalization. At the stage of creating local revitalization plans and during their implementation the cooperation with commercial entities in the form of public private partnerships is recommended. 13

104 21.Synthetic indicator of communes development 2.21 Synthetic indicator of communes development In order to compare the development stage of communes in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship a synthetic indicator has been created. The indicator was calculated based on three variables in the formula: 3 x X Y y Z z Where: x the level of incomes declared in tax returns CIT and PIT per one inhabitant (x value for the commune, X value for the voivodeship) y the number of people using social benefits per 1 thousand inhabitants (y - value for the commune, Y - value for the voivodeship) z number of people not working for more than one year as a proportion of the number of people in the working age group (z value for the commune, Z value for the voivodeship). The choice of variables results from the need to illustrate as fully as possible all of the aspects of economic development as well as the availability and character of data. Each of the variables was normalised with reference to the average value in the voivodeship. Furthermore variables y/y and z/z will act as anti-stimulants of economic development, have been changed into stimulants through inversion. The value of the indicator in a synthetic way illustrates by what factor the level of development in a given commune is higher/lower from the average value in the voivodeship. Map 1. Synthetic indicator values of the economic potential of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship communes in 28 source: own work based on BDR GUS, WUP, National Treasury and Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Office. 14

105 Vision and mission of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship The analysis of the indicator value for particular local units indicates a grouping of communes with its lowest value in the central-eastern part of the region. The communes are as follows: Białogard, Tychowo, Grzmiąca, Barwice, Sławoborze and Ostrowice, Biały Bór, BrzeŜno, Brojce and Radowo Małe. In the West of the voivodeship significantly lower values are attained by the Kozielice, Cedynia and Mieszkowice communes. The lowest value in the whole voivodeship was attained by the Brzezno commune. The commune with the highest indicator value is Szczecin (2.2578), followed by Kołobrzeg and the city of Kołobrzeg. High values were observed in the other communes from the Szczecin municipal area: Gryfino, Kobylanka, Dobra Szczecińska, Police, Kołbaskowo, Stargard Szczeciński. Communes outside of the metropolitan area with a high value are as follows: Koszalin, Świnoujście and Wałcz. The indicator may constitute a basis for planning interventions as part of the requested by the voivodeship local support instruments, e.g.: during the course of implementing the Regional Operational Programme and the implementation of the territorial contract. 3. Vision and mission of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship of 22 is a region with modern and diverse economy concentrating on science and innovations. Thanks to its beneficial location and development of transport infrastructure, the voivodeship plays the role of important centre of economic, cultural and scientific exchange with good communication availability. In 22 Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship will be a competitive region, creating broad possibilities of development, especially for enterprising, educated and creative individuals as well as small and medium business entities. Among characteristic features of the voivodeship (besides strong maritime economy) there are production of goods and services with high added value, which are competitive on national and international markets as well as up-to-date and effective sector of farms and highly developed sector of tourist services. It enables full use of potential of unique resources and economic branches functioning in the region. Development of new technologies supports efficient system of stimulating, transferring and promoting innovations and innovative attitudes. Including the region in the international network of information, knowledge as well as scientific, economic and cultural cooperation transfer makes the voivodeship attractive place for investors, tourists, students, scientists and present as well as potential inhabitants. Development of entrepreneurship is favoured by well organized, effective and transparent public administration, directed at constant social and economic development, by introducing, among other things, partnership with external entities. The region attracts new entrepreneurs thanks to easily available qualified, innovative human resources and local societies open for changes, thanks to which it becomes one of the most competitive areas in Poland. In Szczecin and Koszalin there are developing research and development centres, which cooperate with companies producing high quality products, thanks to staff constantly increasing their skills and ready for changes, with high technical and social competences. Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship takes full advantage of its location, near the border and the sea. All types of transport in the voivodeship are integrated. After creating the Central European Transport Corridor (CETC-ROUTE65), the region is included in the European logistic and transport chain. There is efficient public transport, which became an alternative for car transport. Thanks to diversification of energy sources and improvement of energy infrastructure, energy safety in the voivodeship is ensured. Society, companies and 15

106 Vision and mission of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship institutions use the Internet on a daily basis. Szczecin functions as a metropolitan area and Koszalin is an agglomeration with well developed functions in scope of education, science, culture, healthcare and administration. Economic development of the region has no negative influence on the environment thanks to up-to-date technologies and appliances. The voivodeship follows the EU standards in scope of water and air quality as well as waste management. The region is a national leader in production of renewable energy coming mainly from wind energy and biomass combustion. Areas under protection with vast environmental values, including NATURE 2 areas, develop in a balanced way. Inhabitants of the voivodeship, being aware of natural values of their area, environmental quality and its significance for health, know how to take care of the resources. The region, with attractive nature and landscapes, attracts many tourists. It is also a perfect living place for its inhabitants. Tourism and environmentally friendly agriculture are important elements of the provincial economy, basing on rational use of natural resources. Emphasis is put on all levels of education in the whole region and on making young people interested in science and continuing education at technical and environmental departments of Zachodniopomorskie universities. Entrepreneurs have free access to qualified human resources, thanks to impact on educating adults and vocational education, including women, senior and disabled citizens in the work market as well as mobility of potential employees from groups and areas in danger of exclusion. Cultural offer of the region, which is adjusted in agglomerations to the needs of consumers with the highest purchasing power thanks to thriving art university, and in rural areas attracting youth and increasing aspirations of adults, increases life quality in the region and its attractiveness as a location for new, innovative enterprises. Local al, self-organizing and open local communities attract new inhabitants and are attractive places for life and self-actualization of individuals of every age. The Western Pomerania society uses new social services, which are adjusted to the needs of clients and which support professional as well as social roles of individuals professionally and socially inactive until now. A threat of addictions decreases, thanks to family support and cooperation between public institutions, non-public institutions and informal groups. Basic and specialized high quality healthcare is available not only in agglomerations, but also for increased population of elderly people and individuals living in areas and groups in danger of marginalization. Local communities actively join the process of taking key decisions and act through non-al organizations in favour of their area. The region is seen as an attractive place to live in friendly natural environment and among open local communities actively participating in local cultural and sport initiatives. Taking into consideration the potential of the regional situation as well as constant growth of its development possibilities, the following mission has been formed for Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship: Creating conditions for stable and balanced development of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship, based on competitive economy and entrepreneurship of inhabitants as well as social activity with optimal use of existing resources. The accepted declaration makes it possible to achieve essential compromise between economic and social zones, which is compliant with assumptions of the social market economy model as well as rules of protecting and maintaining existing resources and heritage for next generations. 16

107 Key challenges 3.1. Key challenges When implementing a vision of development, the voivodeship has to face key civilization, economic and cultural challenges. Their sources are both global factors and regional conditions. Attitude towards occurring challenges and ability to cope with them will mark the pace and direction of regional growth within next several dozen years. New model of relations with environment Political and social pressure will shape a new attitude towards natural environment in the area of economy, spatial management and ways of spending free time. A voivodeship with lots of natural resources should consider this tendency as a factor of making its offer more attractive with simultaneous minimization of economy as well as urban development interfering in the environment. Demographic changes Constant and visible decrease of the number of inhabitants as well as ageing of the society requires shaping new, effective ways of acting in scope of forming work market and managing the infrastructure of healthcare and education. These should be directed at adjusting the existing infrastructure as well as methods of its exploitation to changing numbers of inhabitants as well as at increasing the attractiveness of the region as a place to work and live. Economic expansion of the Baltic Sea region The Baltic Sea region will be characterized by high dynamics of effectiveness, innovation and general economic growth. Including the voivodeship in this process and integrating its economic potential as well as offer with transfer of products and services on the local Baltic market has the key meaning. Secondary urbanization and development of cities The largest resources of entrepreneurship and purchasing power of society as well as development potential of local s will be connected with multidirectional urban development. Cities will become a driving force of regions or they will function merely as mediating elements of more effective metropolises. Forming urban, economic and social shape of municipal organisms in a balanced way, so that they would reply to their own development needs and development needs of the whole region is a challenge. Technological and consumption advancement of society Economic and social advance of bigger and bigger number of inhabitants will be accompanied by growing role of technology in all areas of life. Methods of managing, infrastructure and mechanisms of levelling chances should be adjusted to the new life model. Creating the identity of the region The region has not achieved a sufficient level of cohesion and community identity integrating its inhabitants yet. Global changes go towards further weakening and instrumentalisation of bonds. Shaping cultural space which is attractive for present as well as future inhabitants, making wide development of the society is a challenge. 17

108 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. 4. Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy includes six strategic objectives divided into 34 directional objectives. For particular directional objectives we have defined actions, which do not constitute the next level of strategy structure and do not have any indicators. Actions define ways of behaviour which are appropriate to achieve particular objectives. The whole society of the voivodeship (not only its local al institutions) forms a subject implementing such defined objectives and actions. Detailed information concerning competence in carrying out the strategy has been included in the table in chapter 5.5. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE NO 1 IMPROVEMENT IN THE INNOVATIVENESS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MANAGEMENT The adaptibility of the regional economy to changing economic conditions is a key element of its constant development. The strategy is used to increase this ability and in consequence to increase the economic meaning of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship on a national scale and internationally. The supported elements will include the increase of innovation and effectiveness of management, initiatives for intensification of cooperation between companies and their cooperation with the world of science as well as actions for export increase. Broad and balanced use of provincial resources will be carried out particularly by increasing competitiveness of tourist offer and reorganization of agricultural economy and fishing. Different economic relations of the region, connected with its location near the Baltic Sea and near the border, will be developed by implementing integrated maritime policy. Increasing innovation and effectiveness of management in the region will result in improvement of business situation as well as improvement of cohesion and economic situation of the whole voivodeship. DIRECTIONAL OBJECTIVES 1.1. Improvement in the innovativeness of the economy 1.2. An increase in the competitiveness of the voivodeship on the national and foreign tourist markets 1.3. Support for enterprise cooperation and enterprise development 1.4. Support for increasing export 1.5. Integrated maritime policy 1.6. Restructurisation and development of agricultural and fishing production STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE NO. 2 ENHANCING THE INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE REGION 18

109 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. Experiences from the current implementation of the strategy confirm the investment attractiveness of the Western Pomerania. With unstable economic processes and possibilities to transfer capital and production means, the geographic location is not a decisive factor any more. It is essential to invest development potential in creating attractive offer persuading to invest capital and production power in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship. The strategy directs actions of the local at increasing and strengthening investment attraction of the region in connection with development of tools to support business and creation as well as development of investment activity zones. The strategy to create and promote the brand of the region is used to maintain this process and modify it, depending on occurring circumstances. In the result Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship can actively participate in development of the Baltic Sea region, playing more and more important part in the EU economy. DIRECTIONAL OBJECTIVES 2.1. Increasing the attractiveness and cohesion of the regional investment offer and investor support 2.2. Strengthening of business support instruments 2.3. Creation and development of investment activity zones 2.4. Regional brand building and promotion STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE NO. 3 INCREASING THE SPATIAL COMPETITIVENESS OF THE REGION In the reality of the contemporary world, spatial competitiveness depends primarily on pace and character of local processes connected with forming cities. Broad development of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship requires creation of strong urban centres, efficient transport and infrastructural base. The key element of this process is to develop functions of Szczecin Metropolitan Area and increase the potential of Koszalin urban agglomeration. Cities will give impulse for the regional development and they will create its importance outside the region. It requires expansion of infrastructure in up-to-date economy, particularly transregional, multimodal transport networks, infrastructure of informative society as well as energy all over the voivodeship. Proper use of environmental values of the region will be possible thanks to the availability increase of tourist towns as well as other valuable environmental and recreational resources. DIRECTIONAL OBJECTIVES 3.1. Development of metropolitan functions of Szczecin 3.2. Development of Koszalin municipal metropolitan area 3.3. Development of pan-regional, multimodal transport networks 3.4. Support for the development of information society infrastructure 3.5. The development of energy infrastructure 19

110 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions Improving accessibility to areas with tourist and spa values STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE NO. 4 MAINTAINING AND PROTECTING ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES, RATIONAL MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES Vast forests, basins, cultivated grounds, fauna and flora as well as other elements of environment and landscape of Western Pomerania form one of the most valuable national areas where nature and man coexist. In innovative and eco-minded attitude towards development of the region their role does not come down to limitations and development barriers. Natural environment interferes with urbanization zone; it should be its integral, often leading element. Economic changes, which result in slowing down agricultural production accompanied by intensification of tourist movement, are naturally connected with impact on the environment. The regional society, which is aware of the available resources as well as responsibility connected with it, will develop mechanisms allowing assimilation of economic projects with their environmental surrounding. In connection to that actions aimed at maintaining and protecting the environment as well as improving its condition will be connected with developing ways to use renewable sources of energy as well other innovative undertakings with economic importance. Development of infrastructure used for environmental protection and waste management will also be supported. Entrepreneurship and technological progress, which result from high ecological standards, will lead to competitiveness of the region and increased life quality of its inhabitants. Environmental technologies will be used to carry out contemporary ecological challenges. They emit less pollution to the environment. They also exploit natural resources in a way ensuring their longer availability, with simultaneous increase of economic growth and competitiveness. DIRECTIONAL OBJECTIVES 4.1. An improvement in the quality of the environment and ecological safety 4.2. Environmental heritage protection and a rational utilisation of resources 4.3. Increase in the share of renewable energy sources Development of the environmental protection and waste management infrastructure 4.5. Increasing the ecological awareness of the society 4.6. Urban areas revitalization STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE NO. 5 CREATING AN OPEN AND COMPETITIVE SOCIETY Ideas included in the strategy aim at creating openness and competitiveness of the regional society, which are understood as adjusting to needs and realities of contemporary markets of ideas, services and products. They will be followed by increase of skills and qualifications, preparation to handle requirements of contemporary work market and active 11

111 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. participation in transfer of cultural and scientific goods as well as shaping personnel creating innovative potential of the region. In connection to the above, the strategy of provincial development includes actions oriented on strengthening professional activity and competence level of its inhabitants, availability and quality of education on every level and increased participation of the region s inhabitants. They will be addressed to all social and age groups in the area of the whole voivodeship, people included in educational system, students as well as individuals who are interested in widening their general and directional knowledge. Implementation of the strategy will result in overcoming marginalization and exclusion on the educational offer access level. Real accomplishment of defined objectives is connected with implementing the idea of informative society by popularising the access to information and possibilities to use it. One of the conditions for competitive economy based on knowledge to function is access to human resources able to create high quality products as well as to consumers with the highest possible purchasing power. The implementation of actions connected with the creation of up-to-date, open society will help in shaping such environment. It will also allow us to define new objectives and tools for their accomplishment, as a mode of functioning in contemporary economy and culture. DIRECTIONAL OBJECTIVES 5.1. Innovative economy workforce development 5.2. Increasing the professional activity of the population 5.3. Development of continuing education 5.4. Development of vocational education in accordance with the needs of the economy 5.5. Creation of an information society 5.6. Increase in the participation and availability of pre-school education STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE NO. 6 AN INCREASE IN SOCIAL IDENTITY AND COHESION OF THE REGION One of the tasks of local s serving an ancillary role towards the society of the voivodeship is creating the best possible living and working conditions of its inhabitants, accomplishment of life plans and broad self-actualization in personal and social life. Implementing the strategy of the provincial development in particular fields requires effective support of individuals and groups, living activity of which creates the region s potential. In this perspective, supporting personal development of inhabitants, family functions and social cohesion of the whole region is a key task of the strategy. It is aimed at implementing the idea of fully civic society, consciously exercising the rights and duties for the common good. Actions of the local - are based on supporting family as a basic social unit, ensuring the widest possible access to healthcare, education, cultural goods and other elements of shared heritage. Such universality is displayed by preventing all signs of exclusions and marginalization in any aspect. The strategy also concentrates on supporting local democracy and creating widely understood identity as cultural factors determining the feeling of bonds and mutual responsibility. 111

112 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. DIRECTIONAL OBJECTIVES 6.1. Supporting the function of the family 6.2. An improvement in the availability and quality of health care 6.3. Support for the development of local democracy and a civil society 6.4. Strengthening the identity and integration of local societies 6.5. Development of cultural heritage as the foundation for regional identity Prevention of poverty and social marginalisation processes Strategic objectives of Terms of Reference and corresponding directional objectives have been written in the form of 34 charts of objectives. They also include information about modes of financing, implementing and monitoring the Strategy. OBJECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION INDICATOR INDICATOR NAME DIRECTIONAL OBJECTIVE BASE VALUE SOURCES OF FINANCE INDICATOR 1 INDICATOR 2 INDICATOR 3 VALUE 1 ENTITY 1 ENTITY 5 ENTITY 2 VALUE 2 ENTITY 3 VALUE 3 ENTITY 4 DEGREE OF INVOLVEMENT ENTITY 6 ENTITY 7 ENTITY 8 DEGREE OF INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES ACTIVITY A ACTIVITY 8 ACTIVITY C TIME FRAMES INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION VOIVODESHIP GOVERNMENT DISTRICT GOVERNMENT COMMUNE GOVERNMENT NAT. GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATI ON PRIVATE AND NON GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES In the heading of each chart (red section) the following are defined: strategic and directional objectives that the chart refers to. For each of the directional objectives a set of indicators has been prepared (yellow section) which will be used to evaluate the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy. The blue part contains information about the degree of involvement of individual entities in the process of financing the implementation of directional objective to which the chart refers. The subject on the green card are activities aimed at implementing the given objective. The time frames of the implementation have been defined here, divided into and , as well as the degree of involvement of entities and institutions into implementing the activities. 112

113 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. Explanations regarding the usage of measurements and classification can be found in subchapters: 5.4., 5.5, and

114 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 1. AN INCREASE IN INNOVATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MANAGEMENT 1.1 Increase in innovative economy Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Bas value Sources of finance 1. Sold production of new/significantly improved goods in industrial companies in total sold production 8,12% Voivodeship budget 2 Rural Areas Development Programme 2. Expenditures on innovative activities in companies PLN District budget 1 OP Fish 3. Share of expenditures on innovative activities in companies in GDP of voivodeship (27),24% Commune budget 1 OP Infrastructure and Environment 4. Expenditures on innovative activities in companies per one active employee 772, PLN National budget 2 OP Innovative Economy 2 5. Patents granted per 1 million inhabitants 19 pieces Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A 6. Inventions submitted per 1 million inhabitants 56 pieces Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 2 7. R&D Employment per 1 thousand active professionally 3,1 EPC* OP Human Capital 1 Interreg IV C 2 Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. increasing innovation awareness in companies and institutions and the creation of pro-innovation attitudes and A. Y Y solutions B. development of the educational offer and availability of higher education in the whole of the voivodeship Y Y 2 1 development of R&D base and its ties with the economy of the region together with a monitoring system and C. Y Y transfer of technologies D. commercialisation and implementation of goods and technologies, promotion of inventions and patents Y Y 1 2 development of links between companies and institutions with economic partners and scientific research centres E. Y Y 2 1 with an innovation potential usage of modern IT and communication technologies by companies and the creation of autonomous and F. Y Y systemic safe networks and IT systems * EPC equivalent of full time work Private and non 114

115 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 1. AN INCREASE IN INNOVATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MANAGEMENT 1.2 Increase in competitiveness of the voivodeship in the national and foreign tourist trade Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Accommodation provided at multi guest facilities in total per 1 thousand inhabitants pieces Voivodeship budget 2 Rural Areas Development Programme 1 2. Accommodation for domestic tourists provided at multi guest facilities in total per 1 thousand inhabitants pieces District budget 1 OP Fish 3. Accommodation provided to foreign tourists at multi guest facilities in total per 1 thousand inhabitants pieces Commune budget 1 OP Infrastructure and Environment and 5 star hotels/motels/guest houses in hotels/motels/guest houses total 1,48% National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy 2 5. Employment in hotels and restaurants to total employment 4,19% Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A 2 6. Mass accommodation units per 1 thousand inhabitants 49,6 pieces Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 1 7. Accommodation usage 47,59% OP Human Capital 1 Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. the creation of organisational and financial conditions for the development of tourist infrastructure and its A. Y Y development and the extension of the tourist season the development of economic links between tourism and agriculture, fishing, forestry, port economy and other B. Y Y sectors based on natural resource usage C. development of branded tourist products Y Y Private and non * Surveys D. identification and promotion of traditional, local and regional goods Y Y E. development of instruments for the servicing of the tourist trade, including a regional tourist information system and advice Y Y F. promotion of the tourist offer by preparing and distributing publications, participation in national and foreign trade shows and industry events Y Y G. development of national and international network cooperation of entities, organisations and institutions involved in tourism development Y Y H. improvement of the state and usage of SPA base N Y

116 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 1. AN INCREASE IN INNOVATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MANAGEMENT 1.4 Support of export growth Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme 1. The share of exports in the incomes from sales of products, goods and services in large and medium companies in the industrial processing sector 48,1% District budget Commune budget OP Fish OP Infrastructure and Environment National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy 2 Public-private partnership Interreg IV A 1 2. Value of export of goods, services and commodities from companies with foreign capital 9617,6 million PLN Regional Operational Programme 1 Interreg IV B OP Human Capital Interreg IV C Activities creation and development of international economic cooperation through the monitoring and identification of economic trends, creation and development of exporters databases Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. A. Y N 1 2 support of pro-export activities, including participation in events aimed at increasing knowledge and qualifications B. (courses, workshops) and the establishing of new contacts (trade shows, exhibitions), organising missions, preparing and Y Y distributing publications Time frames Private and non 116

117 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 1. AN INCREASE IN INNOVATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MANAGEMENT 1.5 Integrated maritime policies Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Containers in international freight shipping TEU Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme 2. Cargo handling in sea ports total tons District budget 1 OP Fish 2 Commune budget OP Infrastructure and Environment 1 3. Rolling stock in international freight shipping as to national value 42% National budget 2 OP Innovative Economy 4. Share of maritime entities in the total number of entities in voivodeship 1,3% Public-private partnership Interreg IV A Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 1 5. Domestic and international freight shipping by inland navigation in voivodeship tons OP Human Capital Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. integration of regional maritime policies with the economic policies of the country, European Union and the A. Y Y 2 1 strengthening of its position and potential development of port economy, through investments and changes organisational and legal the structure (including B. the development of an external port with a LNG terminal in Świnoujście) together with an improvement in Y Y 2 transport accessibility to ports development of inland navigation and the significance of this sector for the servicing of ports in the Odra estuary C. N Y 1 2 in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship D. restructuring of maritime companies Y N development of land-sea transport chains, implementation of modern technological and technical solutions in cargo E. Y Y 1 2 shipping and the shift of cargo streams from land to water development of maritime education, research and development and the reconstruction of the maritime heritage F. Y Y and identity of West Pomerania Private and non 117

118 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 1. AN INCREASE IN INNOVATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MANAGEMENT 1.6 Restructuring and development of agricultural production and fishing Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Global agricultural production per 1 ha of farm land PLN Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme 2 2. Average size of farm land at a farm 29,68 ha District budget 1 OP Fish 2 3. Number of producers groups 37 pieces Commune budget OP Infrastructure and Environment 4. Percentage share of the voivodeship in sea fishing 5. Artificial fertilisers usage per 1 ha of farm land 35,4% 13,1 kg National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy Public-private partnership Interreg IV A 1 Regional Operational Programme Interreg IV B 6. Farm land per 1 tractor 25,7 ha OP Human Capital Interreg IV C 1 Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. Private and non A. diversification of the job market in areas with dominant agricultural production(rural areas) Y Y B. restructuring of agricultural and fishing activities through its widening by e.g.: tourism services Y Y 2 1 C. implementation of new agricultural production forms, modern technologies, non-consumption crops Y Y D. joint undertakings of companies from the agricultural and fishing industries with scientific research units and institutions responsible for regional development N Y development of producers groups, corporate solutions, logistical distribution in the agricultural production E. sector and networking cooperation associated with agricultural production and fishing (e.g.: clusters, societies, Y N associations, interest groups, local groups 118

119 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 2. STRENGTHENING OF THE REGIONAL INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS 2.1 Increasing the attractiveness and cohesion of the regional investment offer and investor support Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance Voivodeship budget 2 Rural Areas Development Programme 1. Area of offered plots for investments in the local s offer 4 264,913 ha District budget 1 OP Fish Commune budget 1 OP Infrastructure and Environment National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy 1 Public-private partnership Interreg IV A 2. Share of foreign capital in basic capital in the total entities with foreign cap[ital 94,53% Regional Operational Programme 1 Interreg IV B 1 OP Human Capital Interreg IV C 1 Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. Private and non A. development and improvement of regional instruments for promotion and investor s support Y Y B. preparation of spatial development plans taking into account the attractive and cohesive investment offer Y N preparation, evaluation, constant updating and distribution of the comprehensive investment offer dedicated to C. Y Y individual sectors, locations and investors D. selection of pro-investment activities through linking of potential investors with local s Y Y

120 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 2. STRENGTHENING OF THE REGIONAL INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS 2.2 Strengthening of business development instruments Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Value of projects implemented in the scope of entrepreneurship support in PLN per voivodeship inhabitant * - PLN Voivodeship budget 2 Rural Areas Development Programme 2. Number of institutions of financial and non-financial business support - pieces District budget 1 OP Fish Commune budget 1 OP Infrastructure and Environment 3. Number of trained beneficiaries in support institutions in mandays - man-days National budget 2 OP Innovative Economy 2 4. Employment in institutions of financial and non-financial business support - people/jobs Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 2 5. Value of loans made available to entrepreneurs by regional loan and guarantee funds * - PLN OP Human Capital 1 Interreg IV C 2 Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. Private and non A. adjusting the offer and activities of institutions surrounding business to the needs of entrepreneurs Y Y B. development of pro-innovation mechanisms of financial, legal and organisational support for enterprises, including loan, guarantee and venture-capital funds, academic and technological incubators Y N * Surveys ** To be completed 12

121 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2. STRENGTHENING OF THE REGIONAL INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS Directional objective 2.3 Development and creation of investment activity zones Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Value of investments in investment activity zones ** - PLN Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme District budget 1 OP Fish 2. Area of plots with utilities infrastructure in investment activity zones ** - ha Commune budget 2 OP Infrastructure and Environment National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy 2 3. Employment in investment activity zones ** against professionally active - people Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A 1 Regional Operational Programme 1 Interreg IV B 2 4. Number of entities in investment activity zones ** - pieces OP Human Capital Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. development of conditions for locating investments through the creation and development of infrastructure in A. Y Y 2 1 investment activity zones, including access roads B. promotion of investment activity zones and active seeking of investors Y Y Private and non *Zone of investment activity is a segregated and purposefully developed area, the main function of which is making land or buildings available for companies to carry out business activities. Investment activity zones are for example: Industrial Parks, Science and Technology Parks, Special Economic Zones ** Surveys 121

122 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 2. STRENGTHENING OF THE REGIONAL INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS 2.4 Development and promotion of the regional brand Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Expenditures on promotion by the voivodeship per resident - PLN Voivodeship budget 2 Rural Areas Development Programme District budget 1 OP Fish Commune budget 1 OP Infrastructure and Environment 1 2. Recognisability of the regional brand % National budget OP Innovative Economy 1 Public-private partnership Interreg IV A 1 3. Number of local/regional and traditional products - pieces Regional Operational Programme 1 Interreg IV B OP Human Capital Interreg IV C Activities building and implementation of the voivodeship brand in individual aspects of public life economy, culture, tourism, social interactions Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. A. Y Y 2 B. cooperation of public, economic and social partners in the process of building and promoting the brand Y Y * Surveys Private and non 122

123 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3. IMPROVING THE SPATIAL COMPETITIVENESS OF THE REGION Directional objective 3.1 Development of metropolitan functions of Szczecin Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Working in the Szczecin Metropolitan Zone * against working total in the voivodeship 49,65% Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme District budget 2 OP Fish 2. Incomes declared on PIT and CIT per capita in SMZ ,4 PLN Commune budget 2 OP Infrastructure and Environment 2 National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy 3. Number of SMZ inhabitants per 1 cultural establishment 6 645,33 people (libraries, cinemas, museums) Public-private partnership Interreg IV A 2 4. SMZ demographic potential (share of SMZ inhabitants in the voivodeship inhabitants) 39,59% Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 2 OP Human Capital Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. development of Szczecin Metropolitan Zone (SMZ) taking into consideration the potential, needs and roles of A. individual communes and its trans-border, regional and pan-regional influence Y Y B. undertaking common investment enterprises and networks of local cooperation within SMZ Y Y development and widening of educational, scientific, cultural, health care, administrative and services of higher C. Y Y order establishments in SMZ inclusion of the metropolitan area in the international network of cooperation with other European D. metropolises, in particular those of Baltic States Y Y improvement of transport and communication solutions in SMZ including the construction of a Western Ring E. Road for Szczecin Y Y * The Szczecin Metropolitan Area is understood to be the following communes: Szczecin, Świnoujście, Kobylanka, Goleniów, Gryfino, Stare Czarnowo, Dobra (Szczecińska), Kołbaskowo, Nowe Warpno, Police, Miasto Stargard Szczeciński, Gmina Stargard Szczeciński Private and non 123

124 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 3. IMPROVING THE SPATIAL COMPETITIVENESS OF THE REGION 3.2 The development of the Koszalin municipal agglomeration Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Working in the agglomeration * to those working in the voivodeship 1,99% Voivodeship budget District budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme 2 OP Fish 2. Incomes declared on PIT and CIT per capita in the agglomeration 2 24,65 PLN Commune budget 2 OP Infrastructure and Environment 2 National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy 3. Number of agglomeration inhabitants per 1 cultural establishment (libraries, cinemas, museums) 3 822,5 people Public-private partnership Interreg IV A Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 1 4. Demographic potential of the agglomeration 9,3% OP Human Capital Interreg IV C Activities spatial development of the Koszalin agglomeration aimed at making use of the attributes of the sea proximity and the development of tourist infrastructure Voivodeship District Commune National admin. A. Y Y planning and programming of the scientific, cultural development potential in the region and the creation of institutions and networks of cooperation of pan regional significance Time frames Institutions involved B. Y Y C. the development of industry, entrepreneurship and the socio-economic potential Y Y modernisation and development of the communication system and linking network, and in particular the national roads 6 and 11 D. Y Y * The municipal agglomeration Koszalin is understood to be the communes of: Bedzin, Biesiekierz, Manowo, Mielno, Sianów, Świeszyno Private and non 124

125 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3. IMPROVING THE SPATIAL COMPETITIVENESS OF THE REGION Directional objective 3.3 The development of pan regional, multi-modal transport networks Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. National roads and motorways 49,8 km Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme District budget OP Fish 2. National roads and motorways as a proportion of all public roads,28% Commune budget OP Infrastructure and Environment 2 National budget 2 OP Innovative Economy 3. Passenger traffic in airports, total people Public-private partnership Interreg IV A Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 2 4. International passenger traffic in sea ports, total people OP Human Capital Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. development of the Central European Transport Corridor CETC-ROUTE65 axis and the creation of multi-modal A. Y Y logistical-transport chains in a European setting improvement of the communication links between Szczecin and Koszalin, as well as those cities and the rest of the B. Y N country C. intermodal transport development and nodal networks of regional links, logistics centres and container terminals Y Y The building and modernisation of road infrastructure of the more important national roads (road no ), D. construction of city ring roads including Szczecin, Koszalin, Wałcz, Szczecinek, Kołobrzeg, Nowogard, Płotów, Y Y 1 2 Recz, Kalisz Pomorski, Mirosławiec development of ex army aviation structures and the integration of aviation infrastructure with the national road E. N Y and rail road network. modernisation of rail road infrastructure in the region and its integration with regional and national transport F. Y Y 2 1 systems modernisation and development of water transport and the increase in the share of ports, water ways G. infrastructure and inland fleet in the regional and national logistical transport market, improvement in the N Y 1 2 navigability of the Odra water Way Private and non 125

126 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Total logical length * of fibre optic internet connection km Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme District budget 1 OP Fish Commune budget 1 OP Infrastructure and Environment 1 2. Dwellings with access to the internet 46,4% National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy 2 Public-private partnership Interreg IV A 3. Companies employing in excess of 1 people with broadband internet access 57,4% Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 2 OP Human Capital Interreg IV C 2 Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. development of IT networks infrastructure, including fibre optic networks, areas of wireless internet access, A. Y Y intranet networks, broadband networks cooperating with regional and national backbone networks B. computerisation of schools, health service, cultural and local institutions Y Y creation and development of applications and IT systems supporting the work of local s and the C. servicing of customers (e.g. electronic documents submissions, a monitoring system for regional development, Y Y digital data gathering and processing development of IT systems and public internet access points ensuring ease of access to information, including job D. Y Y vacancies, public information, economic, tourist and cultural offer and the gaining of external partners for implementation of IT monitoring systems for important events and dangers, including public safety, roar traffic, E. Y Y 2 environmental condition F. improvement in IT safety of individuals and institutions Y Y 2 Private and non * Logiczna długość łącza oznacza długość odcinka prostego pomiędzy połączonymi punktami A i B a nie rzeczywistą długość topologii łącza * The logical length means the distance in a straight line between two connected points A and A and not the actual topological length of the link 126

127 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3. IMPROVING THE SPATIAL COMPETITIVENESS OF THE REGION Directional objective 3.5 Energy infrastructure development Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Electricity consumption in total per 1 inhabitant 3 254,66 kwh Voivodeship budget Rural Areas Development Programme District budget OP Fish 2. Gas from the grid consumption per 1 inhabitant 644,9 m 3 Commune budget 1 OP Infrastructure and Environment 2 National budget 2 OP Innovative Economy 1 3. Electricity consumption in industry GWh Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 4. Capacity of electricity and heat generation 2 529,2 MW OP Human Capital Interreg IV C 1 Activities construction and development of energy generating units with the use of high efficiency and low emission technologies, limiting the negative environmental effects for the cogeneration of electricity and heat Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. A. Y Y improvement of reliability and transport capacity of the national grid in the region by modernising the existing and construction of new networks, replacement of transformers and integration with external markets B. Y Y 1 2 C. development of decentralised energy systems N Y Private and non D. the construction of LNG terminal in Świnoujście and an increase in the transport capacity of gas systems Y N

128 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 3. IMPROVING THE SPATIAL COMPETITIVENESS OF THE REGION 3.6 Improving the accessibility of areas with tourist and SPA attributes Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Public roads in total per 1 sq. km. of the voivodeship 78,4 km Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme 1 District budget 2 OP Fish Commune budget 2 OP Infrastructure and Environment 1 2. Rail roads in use per 1 sq. km. of voivodeship area 5,3 km National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A 1 3. Length of regular bus routes 83 5 km Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 2 OP Human Capital Interreg IV C Activities implementation of road investments and modernisation of existing road infrastructure significant for the improvement of communication with SPA and tourist areas and towns Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. A. Y Y development of rail road links including narrow gauge railways, improving accessibility to tourist and SPA areas Time frames B. Y Y Private and non 128

129 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 4. RETENTION AND PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, RATIONAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 4.1 Improvement of the quality of environment and ecological safety Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Dust pollution emitted into the atmosphere per sq. km. of the voivodeship 221,8 kg/sq. km. Voivodeship budget 2 Rural Areas Development Programme 2 2. Gas pollution emitted into the atmosphere per sq. km. of the voivodeship 412,15 ton/sq. km. District budget 2 OP Fish 3. Degraded and desolated soils requiring recultivating ha Commune budget 1 OP Infrastructure and Environment 2 4. Length of sewage network compared to the water network 57,34% National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy Public-private partnership Interreg IV A 1 5. Inhabitants using sewage treatment 6,7% Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 2 6. Environmental protection expenditure per 1 inhabitant 264,71 PLN OP Human Capital Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. achieving and maintaining a good quality of water through the elimination of pollutants in surface waters like A. Y Y dangerous substances from industrial, communal and agricultural sources B. protection of the coastline and belt of the Baltic Sea and Zalew Szczeciński Y Y 2 C. limiting pollution, noise and greenhouse gas emissions from communal, communication and industrial sources Y Y 2 1 D. protection of soils against the negative impact of agriculture and other forms of business activity Y Y comprehensive waste management including the elimination of pesticide burial sites and dangerous materials (e.g. E. Y N asbestos, PCB) F. cooperation with German border lands as far as transborder polluting is concerned Y Y development of research in the priority aspects for environmental technologies as defined by the European G. Commission (water protection, air protection and prevention of climate changes, sustainable production and Y Y 1 2 consumption cooperation of scientific entities, research centres and economic entities in the scope of creating and implementing H. new environmental solutions including energy consumption, waste recycling and utilisation, reducing energy Y Y 1 2 requirements of production Private and non 129

130 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 4. RETENTION AND PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, RATIONAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 4.2 Protection of natural heritage and the rational usage of resources Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Area of the voivodeship with natural attributes, protected under the law 21,5% Voivodeship budget District budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme 2 OP Fish Annual reforestation 5 393,6 ha Commune budget 1 OP Infrastructure and Environment 1 National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy 3. Natural monuments in total pieces Public-private partnership Interreg IV A 4. Water consumption by the national economy and population in total per 1 inhabitant 996,2 m3 Regional Operational Programme OP Human Capital 2 Interreg IV B 1 Interreg IV C 2 Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. Private and non A. re-introduction of endangered plant and animal species Y Y B. creation of cohesive forest complexes, in particular in ecological areas and watersheds Y Y 2 rational mineral resource management and water consumption, as well as ensuring sustainability with usage and replenishment of underground water C. Y Y D. rational management of healing waters and the areas where they occur Y Y

131 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 4. RETENTION AND PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, RATIONAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 4.3 Increase in the share of renewable energy sources Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance Voivodeship budget District budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme OP Fish 1 Commune budget 1 OP Infrastructure and Environment 2 1. Share of energy generation from renewable sources of total energy generation 6% National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy Public-private partnership 2 Interreg IV A Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 2 OP Human Capital Interreg IV C 2 Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. Private and non A. information and promotional activities for the usage of renewable energy sources Y Y B. spatial economy management taking into account renewable energy sources Y Y development of economic entities for the usage of renewable energy sources and their cooperation with educational institutional and local s C. Y Y 1 2 D. use of renewable energy sources id residential dwellings N Y

132 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 4. RETENTION AND PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, RATIONAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 4.4 Environmental protection and waste management infrastructure development Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Industrial and communal treated sewage 93,63% Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme 1 2. Dust air pollution retained in pollution cleaning systems 99,4% District budget 1 OP Fish 3. Gas air pollution retained in pollution cleaning systems 43,8% Commune budget 2 OP Infrastructure and Environment Industrial and communal sewage pumped to ground waters or ground requiring treating per 1 inhabitant Collected communal waste deposed at land fill sites per 1 inhabitant 14,57 m 3 295,19 kg National budget Public-private partnership Regional Operational Programme 1 OP Innovative Economy 1 Interreg IV A 2 Interreg IV B 1 6. Capacity of sewage treatment plants with high bioplasm reduction according to plans per 1 inhabitant,1727 m 3 /24h OP Human Capital Interreg IV C 2 Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. Private and non A. development and modernisation of sewage networks, treatment plants and water supply systems Y Y development and modernisation of anti flood and anti draught infrastructure systems (retention structures, B. dykes) Y Y implementation of segregated waste collection and waste recycling as well as hazardous waste utilisation, C. including medical and veterinary Y Y D. construction of installations for communal waste heat treatment including in Szczecin and Koszalin Y N

133 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 4. RETENTION AND PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, RATIONAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 4.5 Increasing the environmental awareness of the society Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme 1 District budget 1 OP Fish 1 Commune budget 1 OP Infrastructure and Environment 2 1. Share of segregated waste collected in total communal waste 6,65% National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A Regional Operational Programme Interreg IV B 1 OP Human Capital 1 Interreg IV C 1 Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. Private and non A. ecological education including that addressed to children and teenagers Y Y B. development of systems providing information regarding the environment, including internet facilities Y Y C. promotion of pro ecological social and consumer values Y Y

134 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 4. RETENTION AND PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, RATIONAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 4.6 Revitalization of urban areas Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance Voivodeship budget 2 Rural Areas Development Programme District budget 2 OP Fish Commune budget 2 OP Infrastructure and Environment 1 1. The number of local and private enterprises aimed at revitalization of urban areas* 28 pieces (24 28) National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy Public-private partnership 2 Interreg IV A Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 2 OP Human Capital Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. Private and non A. spatial planning taking into consideration revitalization needs Y Y 1 2 B. locating new investment projects in the first place in urban areas and earmarked for revitalization Y Y C. renovation, revaluation and adoption of post industrial and ex military structures and their adaption for cultural, sport and recreational, educational, trade and service, office and residential use Y Y D. revitalization, reconstruction old town urban solutions Y Y E. improving the standard of dwellings in desolated areas Y Y 2 1 * Surveys 134

135 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 5. DEVELOPING AN OPEN AND COMPETITIVE SOCIETY 5.1 Workforce development for an innovative economy Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Employment in R&D 1 946,5 EPC* Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme District budget OP Fish 2. Scientific and technological faculties students per 1 thousand inhabitants 119,31 people Commune budget OP Infrastructure and Environment National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy 2 3. Masters Degree graduates people Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 4. PhD students as a proportion of Masters students 5,56% OP Human Capital 2 Interreg IV C 1 Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. creation of instruments for the identification and selection of educational and professional paths starting at the A. gimnasium level Y N improving the attractiveness and availability of schooling at all levels and in particular of maths, natural B. sciences, and technical subjects including the support of on demand education, creation of grant schemes Y Y strengthening of adaption potential of workforce in companies through the implementation of new solutions in C. work organisation and scope, promotion and raising the level of professional qualifications, social responsibility Y Y 1 2 of business D. improving the skill sets of R&D facilities workforce in the scope of commercialisation of research work e.g.: grants for PhD students Y Y E. promotion and the support of work placements and experience amongst companies and universities Y Y Private and non F. establishing innovative companies by scientists (spin-offs) and university graduates Y Y * EPC equivalent of full time work 135

136 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 5. DEVELOPING AN OPEN AND COMPETITIVE SOCIETY Directional objective 5.2 Increasing professional activity of the population Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Employment indicator 45,6% Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme 1 District budget 2 OP Fish 2. Unemployment rate according to BAEL 9,6% Commune budget 1 OP Infrastructure and Environment National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy 3. Newly employed indicator * 27,3% Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 4. Professional activity of the population indicator 5,4% OP Human Capital 2 Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. ensuring equal opportunities on the job market and increasing access to information about it (e.g.: courses, advice, A. Y Y information campaigns, social economics institutions) establishments and creation of dialogue and a coordinated system of cooperation and information exchange B. between public employment services, job market institutions, employers and other organisations on the regional Y Y and local level distributions and promotion of alternative and flexible forms of employment and organisational work methods and C. Y Y its time frames, including tele-work, shift work, post sharing, child care D. increasing the geographic mobility of unemployed Y Y Private and non E. professional activation of people in the immobile age and extension of professional activity of elderly people Y Y F. development of voluntary work as a stage of preparation for employment Y Y * The number of new employees decreased by those returning to work from parental and unpaid leave to the number of those in employment s of the 31st of December the previous year 136

137 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 5. DEVELOPING AN OPEN AND COMPETITIVE SOCIETY 5.3 Development of continuing education Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme 1 1. Indicator of continuing education 5,5% District budget 2 OP Fish Commune budget 1 OP Infrastructure and Environment National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy Public-private partnership Interreg IV A 2. Post graduate students to people professionally active,91% Regional Operational Programme 1 Interreg IV B OP Human Capital 2 Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. Private and non A. increasing awareness of the need to improve qualifications Y Y development of a system of courses and professions qualifications by specialist courses, training, advice, practical s and supplementary studies, post graduate and PhD s as well as study tours B. Y Y widening and adjusting the educational offer to the needs of the job market, activation of older people, reducing C. exclusions by higher education institutions, school for adults, continuing education institutions and professional Y Y training D. development of work force for continuing education Y Y

138 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 5. DEVELOPING AN OPEN AND COMPETITIVE SOCIETY 5.4 Development of vocational education according to the needs of the economy Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Indicator of employment according to level of education (basic vocational) 58,7% Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme 1 2. Indicator of employment according to level of education (college and vocational) 56,5% District budget 1 OP Fish 3. Enrolment in high and vocational schools 28,14% Commune budget OP Infrastructure and Environment 4. Enrolment in basic and vocational schools 13,44% National budget 2 OP Innovative Economy 5. Degree of satiation of the needs of the job market in various education directions % Public-private partnership Regional Operational Programme Interreg IV A 2 Interreg IV B 6. Trader and master trader exams - pieces OP Human Capital 2 Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. creation and implementation of an identification system of the directions of vocations education in accordance A. with the needs of the regional economy Y N adjustment of the educational offer to meet the needs of the regional job market through cooperation with B. Y Y employers and job market institutions, improving the quality of work placements and experience C. creation of strong, specialised vocational training centres Y N development of additional after schools and non academic lessons aimed at developing skill sets necessary with D. special attention to IT, foreign languages, entrepreneurship, mathematics and natural sciences Y Y E. implementation of informal qualification assurance programmes Y N 2 * Surveys Private and non 138

139 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 5. DEVELOPING AN OPEN AND COMPETITIVE SOCIETY Directional objective 5.5 Developing an information society Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Number of pupils per one computer connected to the internet and for the use of pupils 1,99 people Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme District budget 1 OP Fish 2. Companies with a web site 54,8% Commune budget 1 OP Infrastructure and Environment National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy 3. Companies using the internet in to contact public administration 6,7% Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A Regional Operational Programme 2 Interreg IV B 4. Number of mobile phones per 1 thousand inhabitants - pieces OP Human Capital 2 Interreg IV C 1 Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. general IT and communication education at all levels of education and in relation to all population groups, A. Y Y breaking of stereotypes and habits in this aspect implementing mechanism for electronic document transfer, common web sites of services and institutions and B. Y N 1 2 alternative procedures and solutions implemented by public, economic and social partners implementation of a system of general access to courses facilitating obtaining basic knowledge in the sue of a C. Y N computer and internet for those out of work D. development of e-services, e-trade and other activities using advanced It technologies Y Y Private and non E. increase in the availability of IT in residential dwellings, particularly in rural areas Y Y

140 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 5. DEVELOPING AN OPEN AND COMPETITIVE SOCIETY 5.6 Improving the availability and participation in preschool education Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Children at preschools per 1 thousand children between 3-5 years old 474 people Voivodeship budget Rural Areas Development Programme 1 District budget 1 OP Fish Commune budget 2 OP Infrastructure and Environment 2. Number of children between 3-5 years old per one preschool establishment 17,24 people National budget OP Innovative Economy Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A 3. Number of children between 3-5 years old per one preschool place 1.64 people Regional Operational Programme Interreg IV B OP Human Capital 2 Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. Private and non A. establishing preschools and the extension of preschool educational offer in particular in rural areas Y Y B. cooperation of local with social and economic partners in creation and development of preschools Y Y C. improving the qualifications of preschool staff and increasing the staff numbers, in particular in rural areas Y Y

141 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 6. AN INCREASE IN THE IDENTITY AND SOCIAL COHESION OF THE REGION 6.1 Support of the family unit Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Family population receiving social benefits to whole population 11,86% Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme 1 District budget 2 OP Fish 2. Children at nurseries per 1 thousand children up to 3 years old 34 people Commune budget 2 OP Infrastructure and Environment National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy 3. Members of multi-children families receiving help people Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A Regional Operational Programme Interreg IV B 4. Foster families 2 45 families OP Human Capital 2 Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. support for families in a difficult financial situation, marginalised, multi children families, foster, broken and A. endangered Y Y support and the promotion of solutions facilitating the implementation of the family function together with B. having a job Y Y C. education and promotion forming the family and parental values and a positive image of the family Y Y Private and non D. implementation of support programmes for pregnant women and those with small children Y Y E. integration of activities regarding functioning of the family (social assistance, health care, education, culture) with the cooperation of social partners Y Y

142 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 6. AN INCREASE IN THE IDENTITY AND SOCIAL COHESION OF THE REGION 6.2 Improvement of quality and availability of health care Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Infant mortality rate per 1 thousand live births 5,1 people Voivodeship budget 2 Rural Areas Development Programme 1 District budget 2 OP Fish 2. Average life span of women who are 6 years old 22.8 years Commune budget 2 OP Infrastructure and Environment National budget 2 OP Innovative Economy 3. Average life span of men who are 6 years old 17,4 years Public-private partnership Interreg IV A Regional Operational Programme 1 Interreg IV B 4. Beds in general hospitals per 1 inhabitants 47,1 pieces OP Human Capital 1 Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. ensuring high quality and availability of health care (including improving the technical equipment) in the scope A. Y Y of basic health care specialist emergency health care and SPA s B. reorganisation of medical emergency teams Y N Private and non C. transformation of ownership structure f health acre facilities Y N D. improving the educational level of medical personnel and their education in prevention, promotion and health education Y Y E. adjusting health care to the growing number of elderly people, enriching the forms of assistance to elderly, development of long term treatments and psychiatric help Y Y F. promotion of a healthy life style Y Y

143 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 6. AN INCREASE IN THE IDENTITY AND SOCIAL COHESION OF THE REGION Directional objective 6.3 The support of local democracy and a civil society Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Local election frequency (round I) 46% (26) Voivodeship budget 1 Rural Areas Development Programme 1 District budget 1 OP Fish 2. Number of NGO s pieces Commune budget 2 OP Infrastructure and Environment National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy 3. Risk indicator per 1 inhabitants according to 7 popular crimes 156,41 crimes Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A 1 4. Joint expenditure of districts and communes on public safety and fire protection per one inhabitants 91,83 PLN Regional Operational Programme Interreg IV B OP Human Capital 1 Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. development of partnerships and agreements, activation of institutions and the regions society and the A. implementation of projects for the development of local democracy and civil society and improvement of the Y Y quality and security of inhabitants' lives strengthening of the share of society in the accessibility to public information, decision making of local and B. regional importance, voting rights, participation in NGO s Y Y C. support for NGO s and other forms of public activity Y Y improvement in public safety and reduction of risks in particular in the public domain, including through the D. creation of safe Public spaces Y Y E. developing of social responsibility in business Y Y Private and non * Klon/Jawor Society data 143

144 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 6. AN INCREASE IN THE IDENTITY AND SOCIAL COHESION OF THE REGION 6.4 Improvement of identity and integration of local community Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Local identity indicator % Voivodeship budget 2 Rural Areas Development Programme 1 District budget 1 OP Fish 2. Number of people per cultural institution in rural areas 1 671,98 people Commune budget 2 OP Infrastructure and Environment National budget OP Innovative Economy 3. Initiatives and events improving locate identity 346 pieces Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A 4. Members of sports clubs - people Regional Operational Programme OP Human Capital Interreg IV B 1 Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. Private and non A. defining and cultivation of element and attributes of locate identity Y Y B. promoting in external relations the elements of regional identity Y Y C. implementation of undertakings of a cultural, educational, sport and tourist character and the strengthening of social identity of the region with cooperation from social institutions and partners Y Y D. development of neighbours self-help groups Y Y E. overcoming of limitation in social integration associated with multigenerational, cultural, birth place, disability and other differences Y Y * Surveys 144

145 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE Directional objective 6. AN INCREASE IN THE IDENTITY AND SOCIAL COHESION OF THE REGION 6.5 Development of cultural heritage as a basis for regional identity Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Spectators and listeners in theatres, musical institutional per 1 inhabitants 282,1 people Voivodeship budget 2 Rural Areas Development Programme 1 2. Library users per 1 inhabitants 164 people District budget 2 OP Fish Commune budget 2 OP Infrastructure and Environment 3. Expenditure of local s on art and culture in total per 1 inhabitant 135,33 PLN National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy 4. Cinema goers per 1 inhabitants 819 people Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A 1 Regional Operational Programme Interreg IV B 5. Cultural centres 427 pieces (27) OP Human Capital 2 Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. popularising of culture and promotion of active participation in culture including the support of institutional, A. widening the cultural offer, event organising, educational activities Y Y B. support of local arts Y Y Private and non C. protection of historic places and places of remembrance Y Y D. development of cultural infrastructure Y Y E. widening of archives, museum and library collections Y Y F. coordinating and integration of the regional cultural offer Y Y

146 Strategic and directional objectives as well as types of actions. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 6. AN INCREASE IN THE IDENTITY AND SOCIAL COHESION OF THE REGION Directional objective 6.6 Prevention of poverty and the processes of social marginalisation Objective implementation indicators Indicator name Base value Sources of finance 1. Percentage of people in danger of relative poverty after adjustment in incomes of social transfers 16% Voivodeship budget 2 Rural Areas Development Programme 2 District budget 2 OP Fish 2. Using social benefits per 1 inhabitants 656,9 people Commune budget 2 OP Infrastructure and Environment 3. Employment of disabled people 13,6% National budget 1 OP Innovative Economy Public-private partnership 1 Interreg IV A 4. Share of people in the age group in dwellings without working people 15,4% Regional Operational Programme Interreg IV B OP Human Capital 2 Interreg IV C Activities Time frames Voivodeship District Institutions involved Commune National admin. Private and non A. prevention of the processes of social marginalisation Y Y B. bottom-up initiatives to prevent poverty Y Y C. partnership activities to assist social integration Y Y D. development of social economy instruments Y Y E. development of assistance and social integration staff Y Y F. implementation of training and forms of dialogue addressed to people and institutions regarding domestic violence and its associated occurrences Y Y

147 Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy 5. Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy 5.1. Instruments used to implement the Strategy In accordance with the Act of 5 June 1998 of the local of the voivodeship, the strategy of the provincial development is carried out by voivodeship programmes and regional operational programme Strategies and voivodeship s programmes The currently functioning programme documents of the voivodeship concern particular areas of social and economic life. They are generally mid-term with time limit of 215: Social aid and social cooperation Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Strategy in scope of social policy until 215 Regional programme of actions for disabled individuals in years Regional programme of counteracting addiction for years Programme of counteracting violence in family in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship since 27 until updated Healthcare Sector strategy in scope of healthcare in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for years Healthcare strategy in scope of neonatology and paediatrics in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for years Healthcare development directions in scope of obstetrics and gynaecology in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for years Healthcare development directions in scope of general surgery in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for years Healthcare development directions in scope of internal medicine in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for years Tasks of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Local in scope of prophylactics and health promotion to be carried out for years Culture, education and sport Directions of actions taken by Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship in scope of culture and protection of its goods until the end of 22 Directions of actions taken by Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship in scope of medical education and educating personnel for social services until 21 Continual education of teachers in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship until 211 Environmental protection Environmental Protection Programme for Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for years Waste Management Plan for Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for years

148 Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy Strategy of Agriculture and Rural Areas Development for Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for years Development strategy of maritime economy for Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship until 215 Development of agriculture and rural areas Strategy of Agriculture and Development of Rural Areas for Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for years Sector Operational Programme Reorganization and modernization of food sector and development of rural areas Rural Areas Development Programme for years National Strategic Plan for Rural Areas Development for years Infrastructure and transport Assumptions for Programme of renewable energy based on renewable resources of energy, water and wind for years Transport Sector Development Strategy of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship until 215 Priorities of social and economic policy of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for years Area Development Plan of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy of Maritime Economy for Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship until 215 Environmental Protection Programme for Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for years with perspective taken into account Strategy of agriculture and rural areas development of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for years Tourism, economy and promotion Tourism Development Strategy in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship until 215 Programme of infrastructural development concerning ports and marinas of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship in the region of the Oder River, Szczecin Lagoon and the Baltic Sea coast for years The document was prepared in order to apply for funds from the Regional Operational Programme Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship within axis 5 Tourism, culture, revitalization Innovation Regional Strategy of Innovation for years Regional Operational Programme of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship The Regional Operational Programme of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for years is a tool for implementation of objectives included in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy until 22 as well as National Strategic Reference Frames and Strategic Guidelines of the Communefor years It is a mid-term strategic document defining priorities and areas of usage as well as a system of implementing EU funds 148

149 Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship in years The main objective of the Regional Operational Programme of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship is developing the voivodeship by increasing economic competitiveness, spatial cohesion and life quality of its inhabitants. This objective will be achieved after accomplishing the following specific objectives: 1. Increase of innovation and effectiveness of management; 2. Improvement of investment attractiveness and territorial cohesion of the voivodeship; 3. Improvement of life quality through maintenance and protection of natural environment as well as increase of social base of the voivodeship. Priority areas of the Regional Operational Programme of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship define the following priority axes which have been created for the programme: - Priority axis 1. Economy Innovations Technologies; - Priority axis 2. Development of transport and energy infrastructure; - Priority axis 3. Development of informative society; - Priority axis 4. Infrastructure of environmental protection; - Priority axis 5. Tourism, culture and revitalization; - Priority axis 6. Development of metropolitan functions; - Priority axis 7. Development of social infrastructure and healthcare; - Priority axis 8. Technical help. The strategy will form the basis for creating a regional operational programme in a new programming period Long-term Investment Programme Long-term Investment Programme of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for years has been approved by the act of the Regional Council of the Voivodeship by virtue of the Statute of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship as well as the act of 5 June 1998 concerning the local of the voivodeship. Long-term Investment Programme includes a list of the most important task projects as well as investment undertakings carried out in the area of the voivodeship, implementation time of which is longer than one year and which are financed fully or partially by the budget of the local of the voivodeship, in accordance with the regulations of the public finance act. Tasks included in the programme can be divided into some basic groups. These are: investments possible to be co-financed with EU funds projects carried out with the support of funds of the European Regional Development Fund (Regional Operational Programme for years will be the basis of using ERDF funds) investments possible to be co-financed with foreign funds other than EU funds projects carried out with the use of funds from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism and the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area. investments possible to be co-financed within private and public partnership long-term investments, continued, delivery date of which results from long accomplishment cycle 149

150 Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy own investments projects in implementation phase and planned projects, resulting from strategic decisions of the Local of the Voivodeship Territorial contract The territorial contract which will substitute current provincial contracts is an instrument of regional policy implementation designed within the National Regional Development Strategy. It includes undertakings, the implementation of which is essential from the point of view of regional policy conducted by the as well as development policy conducted by the local of the voivodeship. The contract is concluded between the, represented by the appropriate regional development minister and the local of the voivodeship for minimum 3 years. The appropriate regional development minister will present an offer of strategic intervention areas being a subject of support within guidance (two subject areas and two types of spatially defined areas). The offer will be consulted with departments competent in given subject areas as well as with local s taking part in the guidance. Basing on the accepted strategic intervention area proposal, the guidance participants both on the al side and local al side will prepare a list of priority undertakings geared towards task accomplishment in certain spatially defined areas, e.g. urban areas in scope limited by selected subject areas, e.g. research and development as well as energy infrastructure. Priority undertakings negotiated and included in the territorial contract can be financed with funds from different sources and can remain at disposal of different administrators: national funds (state budget, budget of territorial local al units, target funds, private capital), foreign funds (EU budget, funds of international financial institutions). Transferring funds for the implementation of the Contract depends on achieving indicators assumed during implementation Cohesion of Development Strategy of Voivodeship with national strategic documents. When creating the Development Strategy of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship the criterion of compliance with strategic documents of higher order was used. They defined directions, trends, challenges and scenarios of social and economic development of the state, with rules of sustained development taken into consideration. The Strategy includes primarily the regulations of the National Development Strategy, National Regional Development Strategy 21-22: Regions, Cities, Rural Areas as well as National Strategic Reference Frameworks (National Cohesion Strategy) National Development Strategy The National Development Strategy is a basic strategic document defining objectives and priorities of social and economic development of Poland as well as conditions which should ensure such development. The strategy sets objectives and identifies areas treated as the most important from the point of view of achieving the objectives, on which the state will concentrate its actions. It also takes into consideration the most important development trends of global economy and objectives, placed by the European Union in the updated Lisbon Strategy. NDS gives priority to actions which will be undertaken in years in order 15

151 Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy to carry out the vision of Poland. The National Development Strategy is a long-term strategic document of social and economic development of the state and it forms a reference to other al strategies and programmes as well as those prepared by territorial local al units. NDS is a basic assumption for the National Cohesion Strategy (of National Strategic Reference Frameworks), National Strategic Plan for Rural Areas and Fishing Development Strategy as well as operational programmes resulting from them. Time limit of the Strategy coincides with the period of a new EU financial perspective for years (together with using the n+2 rule of expending funds) The main objective of the National Development Strategy is to increase the quality of life for Polish inhabitants: particular citizens and their families. In order to achieve it, the following priorities will be used to define the most important directions and actions: 1. Increase of competitiveness and economic innovation 2. Improvement of condition of technical and social infrastructure 3. Increase of employment and its quality 4. Creation of integrated social community and its safety 5. Development of rural areas 6. Regional development and increase of territorial cohesion Referring objectives of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy to the priorities of the National Development Strategy has been included in appendix National Regional Development Strategy The National Regional Development Strategy 21-22: Regions, Cities, Rural Areas defines objectives and ways of acting for public entities, particularly the as well as local s of the voivodeship, in order to achieve strategic objectives of the state development. The document sets objectives of regional policy for cities and rural areas. It also defines their relations in reference to other public policies with visible territorial direction. The strategic objective of the regional policy in the NRDS perspective is an effective use of specific regional and territorial development potentials to achieve objectives of state development employment increase and cohesion in long-term perspective. NRDS defines three specific objectives: 1. Supporting the increase of regional competitiveness 2. Creating territorial cohesion and counteracting marginalization processes in problem areas 3. Creating conditions for effective and partnership accomplishment of development actions directed at territories. The arrangement of NRDS objectives is compliant with basic areas of NRDS influence until 22 and it creates a triad: competitiveness-cohesion-efficiency, based on assumptions of reshaping ways of thinking about the role of regional policy and its realization. Accomplishment of such specified objectives will allow concentration on potentials, and not development barriers, by strengthening regional competitiveness and their growth processes. Objectives aim at achieving positive changes which increase regional and state competitiveness as well as decrease disproportions in development possibilities inside regions and between them. 151

152 Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy Reference of objectives of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy to objectives of regional policy of the National Development Strategy has been included in appendix National Strategic Reference Frameworks The National Strategic Reference Frameworks (National Cohesion Strategy) is a al strategic document specifying priorities and areas of use as well as the EU funds implementation system for years : European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund and Cohesion Fund. NSRF is a reference instrument used to prepare operational programmes with regulations of the National Development Strategy for years taken into consideration. The strategic objective of the National Cohesion Strategy is: creating conditions for Polish economy competitiveness growth based on knowledge and entrepreneurship ensuring employment increase as well as higher social, economic and spatial cohesion. This objective has been formulated in reference to the European cohesion policy funds expended within NSRF will ensure the increase of social and economic cohesion of Poland and its regions in respect of the EU average through structural reforms and concentration of expenses in areas with decisive importance for accelerating the economic growth and increasing employment. The strategic objective will be achieved after implementing these horizontal specified objectives: 1. Improvement of public institution functioning quality and expanding partnership mechanisms 2. Improvement of human capital quality and increase of social cohesion 3. Creation and modernization of technical and social infrastructure with basic importance for the competitiveness increase in Poland 4. Increase of competitiveness and innovation of entrepreneurships, particularly production sector with high added value and service sector development 5. Increase of Polish regional competitiveness and counteracting social, economic and spatial marginalization 6. Levelling development chances and supporting structural changes in rural areas Such arrangement of horizontal objectives reflects main directions of cohesion policy concentration in order to achieve the strategic goal. Objectives of the National Cohesion Strategy will be achieved with the help of operational programmes managed by the Regional Development Ministry, regional operational programmes managed by voivodeships and project co-financed with structural instruments. Reference of objectives of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy to horizontal detailed objectives of the National Strategic Reference Frameworks (NSS) has been included in appendix Strategy and area development plan of the voivodeship 152

153 Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy The area development plan of the voivodeship is a second basic document, besides development strategy, passed by the Regional Council of the Voivodeship. It decides about the regional development. The area development plan forms a transfer of strategic regulations into the field of area development. It also creates conditions to carry out investment intentions outside the municipal territory. The area development plan of the voivodeship defines long-term rules of shaping spatial structure of the voivodeship. It is based on the rule of proper and rational spatial development and it contributes to achieving balanced provincial development, with the following needs taken into consideration in particular: broad use of its location near the sea and near the Oder river protection of using unique resources and values of the natural environment and culture as well as landscape in social and economic development improvement of civilization standard and life conditions of inhabitants integration of the spatial structure of the voivodeship defence and safety of the state as well as people and their possessions The plan defines rules of the spatial structure organization of the voivodeship: basic elements of settlement grid, locating communication, technical and social infrastructure and requirements in scope of safeguarding the natural environment and protecting cultural goods, with areas of particular protection taken into consideration. Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Area Development Plan eases coordination of strategies and various intentions as well as programmes with emphasis on time and place of their implementation. Reference of objectives of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy to functional areas defined in the Area Development Plan of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship has been included in appendix Financial sources of the Strategy Implementation of the Strategy will be primarily based on public funds. In order to conduct the effective regional policy they should be internal funds of the voivodeship. These include: budgets of territorial local s (communes, counties, voivodeship) state budget (budget of the governor, funds of ministers directed to implementation of ministerial programmes) budgets of target funds (e.g. Provincial Environmental Protection and Water Management Fund) budgets of al agencies regional centres (e.g. Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture Besides internal funds of the voivodeship, the following external funds will be used to implement the Strategy: State budget funds (directed within the state regional policy); EU funds within conducted policies (particularly cohesion policy, Joint Agricultural Policy, Framework Programmes in scope of Technological Development) funds of other states (e.g. Swiss and Polish Cooperation Programme) bank loans as well as other loans (including those offered by international financial organisations, instruments of Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego etc.) 153

154 Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy Private funds will also be used to fulfil regulations of the Strategy. Their level of engagement (the so called financial lever effect) will indicate the correctness of actions selected for accomplishment. Directional objective charts include their financing matrix by particular financial streams, according to the following scale: 2 recommended 1 possible not applicable 5.5. Institutions responsible for accomplishment of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy The society of the voivodeship is a subject of strategic programming on a regional level and the strategy of provincial development results from a social and institutional agreement. Therefore its accomplishment will include almost all institutions, al and local al administration offices of all levels, agencies and foundations, large, medium and small business entities, universities as well as science and research centres, educational, cultural, healthcare and welfare institutions and particular citizens. Responsibility frames have also been defined, similarly to financing sources. Here the responsibility has been shown in a more detailed way on the action level. The main actors responsible for the implementation of the Strategy on this level have been ordered with separated functions and tasks into five groups: al administration voivodeship local district local commune local private and non-al initiatives (including public and private partnership) Directional objective charts include responsibility level of particular institutions for the implementation of actions of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy according to the following scale: 2 leading 1 partial none 5.6. Time frames of the Strategy accomplishment 22 has been accepted as a time limit for the Voivodeship Development Strategy implementation. It will be compliant with the National Development Strategy validity period, which is a superior document over other strategies and al programmes as well as programmes prepared on a regional level. The provisions of acts concerning mid-term national development strategy show that the provincial development strategy should include the time limit of 215. Objective charts include information concerning tasks until 215 as well as (Y=yes, N=no). 154

155 Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy 5.7 Strategy monitoring Strategy monitoring is a process of systematic collection, processing, analysing and publication of reliable information, with the aim of ensuring conformity of implementation with the assumed operational objectives. Monitoring will be an element linking programming and implementation of regional development, will allow the overseeing and corrections to the activities undertaken and at the same time provides a possibility to rationally plan and particularise future activities. Effective monitoring systems allow also for a correct allocation of financial means assigned to particulate tasks. The voivodeship is responsible for monitoring regional development. In the structures of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Marshalls Office, the Regional Policy Department is responsible for monitoring and in particular one of its sub departments Office of Analysis and Strategic Studies. This unit known as the Monitoring Unit has direct responsibility for the creation and day to day running of the monitoring system. Voivodeship Board oversees the functioning. The Voivodeship Board assumed that the Voivodeship Development Strategy monitoring will not be a separate issue, but will be an element of the socio-economic development monitoring system of the region which has 4 tasks: No Task description Questions answered by the task 1 Monitoring of the strategy and voivodeship programmes (including Voivodeship Development Strategy) in accordance with the rules and indicators defined in these documents) If and to what extent the implementation indicators for the strategy objectives were achieved? What is the further development diagnosis? Forecasting the state of development of the region and trends, tendencies, need and dangers in individual areas with as small as possible a delay. Benchmarking of the region with other national and EU regions both in individual areas and in a synthetic way. Highlighting of territorial variations (on the district and commune level) in the regional development in relation to individual areas. What is the diagnosis of development trends in a given area? What are the dangers in the region? What are the opportunities? How does the region compare to other Polish and EU regions? For which indicators does the region attain good results and for which not so good? Does external convergence occur in the region (i.e.: in comparison to other regions)? What is the spatial variation for indicators? Which locations (communes, districts, and cities) require intervention? Is there convergence internal to the region? From the point of view of the Voivodeship Development Strategy monitoring, task 1 is the most important and it occurs on three levels: monitoring of socio-economic changes in the voivodeship; 155

156 Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy monitoring of the objectives implementation on the basis of indicators ensuing from quantifying of these objectives; monitoring of the implementation of programmes in the Strategy The main units of monitoring illustrating all of the aspects of the regional development are 2 monitoring areas. As a result of further, more detailed, division of the areas factors appear. Table 3. Monitoring areas of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy No Area Factors 1 Natural conditions area, geographical conditions, natural resources 2 Demography 3 Social capital 4 Local 5 Health care population density, migration, natural growth, life expectancy, economic activity social problems, development of local democracy, public services budgets, local activity, operational programmes, administration the state of health of the society, closed and open medical services 6 Culture according to forms of activity 7 Education 8 Job market 9 Economy 1 Innovation 11 Science no divisions 12 Information society 13 Transport school, academic education, continuing education, qualifications supply and demand, employment, professional activity, work abroad, employment in knowledge based sectors industry, services (inc. tourism), agriculture, construction, companies innovation awareness, patents, technology transfer, clusters infrastructure, computerisation, applications, digital exclusion road and railways infrastructure, public transport, road, rail road and sea carriage 14 Energy according to energy sources 15 The state and protection of the environment according to loads 16 Communal economy supply of utilities, waste management 156

157 Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy 17 Spatial economy settler network, land usage, spatial planning 18 Housing no divisions 19 Population wealth no divisions 2 Regional balance GDP, added value, investments The target structure ensuing from the created system will be a set of indicators which will constitute the basis of making evaluations, decisions, forecasting and comparisons with other regions thus for the implementation of system tasks. The indicators will be created from variables of numerical values from measurements or research. Each indicator will be assigned to one area of monitoring and at the same time - in relation to task 1 - to one of the 34 directional objectives of the Voivodeship Development Strategy In the directional objectives charts, the names of indicators were given, corresponding to a given objective with the base values. It was assumed that in each directional objective one indicator (defined in the indicator summary in the objectives charts under item 1) is a so called lead indicator i.e.: the most representative for a given objective. The lead indicator will be used for the monitoring of the directional objective implementation dynamic (through the calculation of its variation over time) as well as if possible to compare with other regions. The whole of the information regarding each indicator will be collected on a so called Indicator Chart holding the sources of data, variables, formulas and indicator interpretation, neither base and target values the set of indicators collected so far is nor final. During the operation of the system verification will be carried out of the usefulness of indicators for the implementation of tasks. As possibilities appear of using two sources of data (e.g. digital geodesic data, satellite images) the system will incorporate new indicators. Synthetic indicators should also be worked out corresponding to each of the strategic objectives. The change in the indicators and change in lead indicators does not entail the necessity to update the Voivodeship Development Strategy. In individual areas of monitoring, the Monitoring Unit should cooperate with the appropriate institutions like departments of the Marshalls Office and other organisational units of local s (E.G.: ROSP, RBGP, Zachodniopomorskie Obserwatorium Rynku Pracy), institutions involved with collection and processing of data (e.g.: Statistical Office in Szczecin, Treasury Chamber in Szczecin), public administration units, educational institutions, regional development agencies. The permanent cooperation in the scope of providing data should also be initiated with the local units in the region and units monitoring the regional and national operational programmes, including RPO, PROW, POKL, POIG, POIŚ, and EWT. The monitoring works will have a periodic character and will entail: 1. Defining the needs of individual cells of local and other interested parties as to the type of information and scope of monitoring. 2. Establishment or verification of operations procedures in the scope of: content of Indicator Charts, cooperation rules with external units, rules for data processing, results publishing and time frame of the works with individual indicators. 3. Acquiring of data from primary sources (e.g. surveys) and secondary (e.g. from GUS, Eurosts, SIMIK system). 4. Collection and processing of data An electronic database will be created for the needs of the system, with both acquired data and processed according to the Indicator Charts. 157

158 Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy 5. Publication of results. The main way of making information available will be an internet application e-region described below. Furthermore, periodically in paper formats data and reports will be published 6. Analysis and evaluation The calculated indicator values for each of the four of the system Tasks will be analysed by the Monitoring Unit (in cooperation with external units). Such analysis will be made publish on the web site with a possibility of supplementing it by the opinions of interested parties. Periodically on the basis of the above information, a complete evaluation of the situation will be carried out in a given area together with proposals of possible tasks for the voivodeship as changes in the monitoring system. 7. Decisions of the voivodeship. The situation evaluations discussed above and the proposals will be given to the Voivodeship Board which will then present them for consultations with interested parties active in a given area. To this end, the Voivodeship Board will appoint a Monitoring Committee which will include: Voivodeship Marshall, representatives of communes and districts, economic, social and non- organisations, representatives of entities undertaking tasks as part of voivodeship programmes. The local may also use the existing bodies e.g.: Wojewódzka Rada Zatrudnienia, Regionalna Rada ds. Gospodarki, Nauki i Innowacji, Regionalna Rada ds. Społeczeństwa Informacyjnego, ZROT, Konwent Starostów, Konwent Wójtów, Burmistrzów i Prezydentów Miast. The consultations will yield recommendations on the basis of which Voivodeship Board will implementation priorities for the forthcoming planning period and define the implementation indicators of objectives for different levels of the strategy. This decision will be presented to the regional parliament for acceptance. The main method for communicating for the monitoring system with its interested parties is a custom made internet application in the form of a web site ( The main task of this application, named in previous document eregion is making available to interested parties and institutions numerical data (main indicator values) and other documents created as a result of the system operation both in a states way (ready objects databases, figures graphs, tables, reports) and an interactive way, with the ability to generate data summaries (in the form of databases, tables, maps or graphs) in an online mode. The site will also contain current forecasts of indicator values describing the predicted voivodeship development trends. The basis for the eregion site is the division into the 2 monitoring areas, each of which will have its own page. 158

159 Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy Home page of eregion site 159

160 Implementing and monitoring the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship Development Strategy Data explorer of eregion site 16