Territorialization Instruments of Development Policy – Initial Experiences of ITI and OIT
Territorialization Instruments of Development Policy – Initial Experiences of ITI and OIT

Summary/Abstract: RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: An attempt to assess whether the Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) and Other Territorial Investments (OTI) implemented in Poland fulfill the assumptions of the territorialization of development policy. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The main hypothesis assumes that territorialization in Poland has been limited to the EU cohesion policy, which hinders the utilization of its potential. The study is based on the author’s participant observation, analysis of strategic and operational documents, and a self-conducted survey among local government officials and advisors of the CWD project. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The article presents theoretical and practical approaches to territorialization, defining its distinguishing features. It then analyzes the ITI and OTI tools in Poland in the context of these features, comparing assumptions with the results of observations, survey opinions, and findings from document reviews. RESEARCH RESULTS: The ITI/OTI implemented in Poland possess key features attributed to the tools of the territorialization of development policy. In some results, significant discrepancies were observed between the assessments of the respondents and the review of documents and other studies, resulting from the specificity of the CWD project. The analysis proved that the key motivation for local governments to engage in ITI and OTI is access to EU funding (over 90% of indications). Additionally, respondents highlighted significant deficiencies in the human and institutional potential of their local governments as barriers. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The territorialization of development policy in Poland is mainly implemented through EU programs, and ITI/OTI, which are based on bottom-up initiatives, are often conditioned by top-down constraints. Nevertheless, the territorialization tools should be positively evaluated due to their impact on building competencies and promoting cooperation among local governments for development and environmental protection.

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