The functioning of selected public institutions for supporting entrepreneurship during an economic crisis in Poland

Abstract

The most distinct and painful effect of the present economic crisis for the Polish society is the increasing unemployment, which causes negative consequences, not only economic, but above all - social. One of the ways to fight of economic recession and the decline in employment is encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship. Development of entrepreneurship seems to be the best way to fight unemployment, because it does not focus on mitigating its effects, but concentrates on defeating its direct cause. Entrepreneurship in times of crisis should concentrate on three areas of the economy: promotion of entrepreneurial attitudes among young people, development of innovation in enterprises (escape "forward") and stimulation of self-employment. In this article, the authors focus on that last way of reducing the rate of unemployment in Poland - stimulation of entrepreneurship, so as to create new businesses. In the analysis, the actions of selected public institutions, which assist individuals wishing to set up and run their own business, are presented. By outlining the activities of various institutions, authors demonstrate the possibilities which potential entrepreneurs can take advantage of. Among other types of support, the article de scribes the size and quantity of grants for setting up a business, and the effectiveness of this form of assistance, also in the opinion of new entrepreneurs.