SOP HRD - general information

In order for the Member States of the European Union to use structural funds it is necessary to create a series of documents. The first one is the National Development Plan – a document defining goals of the country’s social and economic development and the methods of achieving it. Operational programmes are meant to implement it. Sectoral Operational Programme Human Resources Development is one of such programmes in Poland. Its provisions are detailed in the Programme Complement. A good knowledge of both those documents is necessary to prepare an application for financing of a project implementation and project management.

The main objective of SOP HRD is:

“the development of an open, knowledge-based society through provision of conditions facilitating human resources development by gaining education, undergoing training and performing work”.

The implementation of this objective will contribute to raising the competitiveness of economy based on knowledge and entrepreneurship. A harmonious development of the economy is to ensure an increase of employment and achievement of social, economic and space cohesion with the European Union on the regional and national levels.

SOP HRD objectives are implemented by three Priorities:

• Priority 1: Active labour market and professional and social inclusion policy
  The objective of this Priority is to strengthen the potential of the institutional servicing of employment services clients, social assistance and other institutions operating for the labour market. It is supposed to serve also the unemployed persons and persons from high-risk groups. Providing equal opportunities to women in the access to the labour market and employment is another objective of this Priority.
  
  
• Priority 2: Development of knowledge-based society
  Educational system should allow persons of all ages to gain skill which help them function on the labour market. Therefore the objective of this Priority is to broaden the access to education and improvement of its level. It is also important to include information and communication technology in the process of education. Other objectives of the priority are: improvement of employees’ qualifications, promoting education in the area of entrepreneurship and the promotion of flexible forms of work. This Priority is aimed to improve the work quality of public administration through a provision of appropriate training.
  
  
• Priority 3: Technical assistance
  The objective of this Priority is to assist institutions responsible for the implementation of SOP HRD, so that they utilize EU funds in an effective manner and in accordance with the Community policies.

The Programme specifies what Measures may be undertaken within individual Priorities. Each project may be assigned to a specific Priority and Measure. The following table presents the SOP HRD Priorities and Measures. It indicates the implementing authorities for individual Measures. Such institution, inter alia, announce project competitions, accepts applications for financing project implementation and arranges the work of the Project Evaluation Committee. The consulting desk at the final beneficiary provides detailed information, e.g. on the manner of fulfilling applications.

Measure No.	Measure Name	Final beneficiary
Priority 1: Active labour market and professional and social inclusion policy
1.1.	Development and modernisation of labour market instruments and institutions	Department for ESF Implementation at the Ministry of Economy and Labour
1.2.	Perspectives for youth	Voivodship Labour Office competent for the region
1.3.	Counteracting and combating long-term unemployment	Voivodship Labour Office competent for the region
1.4.	Vocational and social integration of the disabled	State Fund for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled People
1.5.	Promotion of active social policy in support of high risk groups	Department for ESF Implementation at the Ministry of Economy and Labour
1.6.	Vocational integration and re-integration of women	Department for ESF Implementation at the Ministry of Economy and Labour
Priority 2. Development of the knowledge-based society
2.1.	Increasing access to education – promoting lifelong learning	Office for ESF Implementation in the Ministry of National Education and Sport
2.2.	Improving education quality and relevance to the labour market needs	Office for ESF Implementation in the Ministry of National Education and Sport
2.3.	Development of personnel of modern economy	Polish Agency for Enterprise Development
2.4.	Strengthening administrative capacity	Office of the Civil Service
Priority 3. Technical assistance
3.1.	Support for the SOP HRD management	Department for ESF Implementation at the Ministry of Economy and Labour
3.2.	Information and promotion of the SOP HRD measures	Department for ESF Implementation at the Ministry of Economy and Labour
3.3.	Acquisition of computer equipment	Department for ESF Implementation at the Ministry of Economy and Labour

Department for European Social Funds Implementation at the Ministry of Economy and Labour is responsible for the implementation of SOP HRD, the Department acts as the Managing Authority. SOP HRD is a “mono-fund” programme (all SOP HRD measures are financed from the European Social Fund). European Social Fund may be also used to finance projects which meet the objectives of the second Priority of the Integrated Regional Development Operational Programme.

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