Europa Regionum

The subject of the article concerns the problem of innovation economic activities financing for enterprises. It is an important issue which makes substantial condition of their development in the context of long-lasting and sustainable social and economic development with regard to the criteria of both effectiveness and competitiveness growth. The aim of this study is to present the possibilities of support procured for innovation business companies within the 2014–2020 financial prospects and to point out how the EU funds influence social and economic development of enterprises. One of the basic problems connected with functioning of companies is often the lack of financial resources which could support their development. The first part of this study presents the essence as well as the importance of companies’ innovation activities in the context of innovation theory. The sources of innovation business financing are discussed in the second part of the article, together with presentation of some possibilities of financial support offered to companies by some selected Operational Programs. The substantial element of this part of the study is the analysis of applications submitted for financing support within PO IR 2014–2020. The third part of this elaboration presents a few examples of innovation implementation in some chosen companies in which the innovations have been implemented thanks to the financial support of the European Union funds. The final conclusions of this study emphasize the substantial influence of the EU funds on social and economic development of business enterprises by means of financial support for innovation activities.