Institutional Foundations of State Aid Statistics for Research Projects and Innovation in the EU

Abstract

The aim of the article is to determine the institutional foundations for the formation of the state aid statistics system to support the implementation of research projects and innovations by business entities in the EU, using Poland as a case study. The article identifies programs that have contributed to the growth in funding for such projects, as well as the key operators and beneficiaries of state aid, and conducts an economic-statistical analysis of trends and key elements of the state aid system, with an emphasis on the potential application of the acquired experience in Ukraine. It was found that after Poland’s accession to the European Union and the receipt of significant financial inflows from European funds, the country was able to create a strong system of support for research and innovation through the implementation of operational programs. Institutional changes and the creation of effective systems for monitoring and collecting statistical data – particularly through the SHRIMP and SUDOP systems, which ensure the transparency and efficiency of state programs – have been identified. Special attention is given to the role of the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK), which conducts statistical monitoring and control over compliance with state aid rules and prepares annual reports on the aid provided. Institutional changes in the state aid monitoring system were an important step following the introduction of policies supporting scientific research and innovation. To develop effective financial models, changes in institutional and methodological tools are necessary, enabling the creation of a clear reporting and monitoring system, ensuring the transparency of public resource use, and increasing the effectiveness of investments in innovative projects. The research results identify key elements of the state aid system, including the diversity of support tools, such as grants, subsidies, preferential loans, and partially written-off loans, enabling various categories of enterprises, including startups, to receive funding for the development of innovative projects. Additionally, the study highlights the trend toward the centralization of funding with specific aid operators, a strategic orientation toward priority technologies, and the complexity of support tools. State aid statistics indicate that Poland actively finances industrial research and experimental development in promising technological directions for the economy. These investments also create the prerequisites for adapting Poland’s economy to new global challenges, such as climate change and the development of digital technologies. It is justified that the implementation of Poland’s experience could become an important direction for further research and the development of recommendations to improve the state aid system in Ukraine, particularly in terms of strengthening the scientific, technological, and innovation potential of the private sector and creating the appropriate statistical infrastructure. Studying Poland’s experience allows for the identification of key success factors in building effective mechanisms to support innovation and research, which is essential for developing recommendations for Ukrainian policy. According to the author, the prospect of further scientific research in the area of state aid in Ukraine should be the formation of the foundations for a new innovation policy, aimed at strengthening industrial research, experimental development, and business innovation to address issues related to martial law, as well as post-war recovery and reducing dependence on the supply of strategic goods. This will contribute to the more effective use of limited resources, ensuring economic resilience.