Abstract:

Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) is an instrument introduced by the European Union, which is intended to support spatial cohesion and territorial development. Particular importance is attached to planning development processes based on the principle of an integrated territorial approach in the EU financial perspective 2014-2020. The main task of ITI is to reduce differences in the level of socio-economic development of individual regions of the Member States by stimulating the potential of a given region in strategic areas. The aim of the article is to define the functions and principles of functioning of Integrated Territorial Investments and their use in Polish regional policy.  ITI facilitate the development of urban functional areas through the cooperation of local government units comprising these areas and the implementation of joint integrated projects included in the ITI strategy. In Poland, the largest number of ITI projects pertains to the increase in energy efficiency of public infrastructure as well as improvement of education, urban transport, the labour market and access to public services. An undeniable benefit of the introduction of ITI is the increase in the diversity and availability of financial resources for the implementation of operational programmes in a cross-cutting manner. Among the advantages of the integrated territorial approach, one can also mention the possibility of using the local and regional development potential, as well as favouring the development of cooperation and integration of local governments with other entities.