The article introduces major problems associated with the launch of European Union development programming in Poland. Poland has drafted its National Development Plan for the years 2004-2006, including proposals for allocation of structural funds and the Cohesion Fund, providing a basis for the Community Support Framework. The first section of the study analyses the programming path for European funds in Poland and major edge conditions applicable in the case of the National Development Plan, The programming of socio-economic development with support of Community funds required a number of strategic choices, a detailed description of which is presented in section two. The third section is an analysis of different risks involved with launching structural funds and the Cohesion Fund in Poland, which may reduce the National Development Plan effect in the field of additional GDP growth, improvement of the labour market situation and othe effects of the EU structural intervention in Poland. The final part of the study addresses the urgent need for taking up works on Poland’s National Development Plan for the years 2007-2013.