The Impact of The Structural Funds on Competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Anotace: The article deals with the analysis of the use of EU Structural Funds as the main tool of cohesion policy. The cohesion policy aims to reduce economic and social disparities in regional development. A part of that policy is financing of small and medium-sized enterprises from the Structural Funds for the purposes of their impact on the economic development of underdeveloped regions and to increase the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises. The main focus is on determining the effect of EU Structural Funds on competitiveness of SMEs in Slovakia in the programming period 2007-2013. Based on the empirical research, we have analysed the data and we found out how the management of small and medium-sized enterprises assesses the use of EU Structural Funds and their impact on the competitiveness of enterprises managed by them. The results of our analysis and research indicate signs of an inefficient use of financial support from the Structural Funds, which is often directed to solve diverse acute economic problems. However, these funds do not increase their competitiveness.