In the moment of the accession to the European Union Poland became one of the greater incumbents of the help originating from EU’s sources. The wide of help causes that businessmen, territorial autonomies, engaged, unemployed persons and Departments of Labour can profit financial aid. At present EU funds arc accessible in two forms: community programmes and structural funds. The access of firms to structural funds and many community programmes make possible among other things the increase of competitiveness, of research and the initiation of new technological solutions, strengthening of ties between the R&D sections and companies, initiation of ecological investment and professional schooling of workers. Whether these resources will become effectively used and will contribute to the realization of the basic EU’s aim it will depend to great extend on the companies itself. The purpose of this article is to show and up to date use of these funds for Polish firms in the first period of the programming (2004-2006). Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 zostało dofinansowane ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę.