THE ASSESSMENT OF SWOT APPLICATION IN PROGRAMMING OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN POLAND. RPO'S CASE STUDY

Since the entry of Poland into the European Union, the Regional Operational Program (ROP) has become a basic tool for the implementation of the voivodeships' strategies. Because of their long-term horizons, they have the characteristics of a strategic plan and utilize strategic management techniques and tools. The aim of this article is to assess the use of SWOT analysis in 16 ROPs in the previous (2007-2013) and the current (2014-2020) EU financial perspective. The focus of the analysis is the method of delimiting internal and external factors, the process of objectifying these factors and the classification into strengths and weaknesses as well as opportunities and threats. In addition, the authors examine how the results of SWOT analysis in the projection part of the ROP were applied.