Structural Funds as an Instrument Co-financing Innovative Activities of Enterprises in Clusters - Case Study of Silesia Region

The aim of the study is to analyse the impact of EU support from the Structural Funds for the development of innovation activity of entrepreneurs cooperating in clusters. The text contains a range of information on the general principles of EU cohesion policy, an important element of which is building the competitiveness of the European economy. One of the currently key aspects of competitiveness is innovation and networking. The paper discusses the key determinants of the development of innovative activity of enterprises in cooperation network supported by the Structural Funds, particularly with reference to the situation in the province of Silesia, where, where 30 clusters were established thanks to EU support for 2007-2013.