Poland proved to be remarkably resilient in the face of the 2009 financial crisis and has continued to grow strongly and catch up with other OECD countries in terms of GDP per capita. The annual growth rate of the country’s GDP averaged 3.1% from 2007 to 2014. GERD increased from 0.56% to 0.94% of GDP between 2004 and 2014, but it is still below the OECD average (2.38%). The government aims to attain GERD of 1.7% of GDP by 2020. To continue its convergence with the most affluent OECD countries, Poland needs to strengthen its public research system, enhance business innovation and improve the innovation skills of the workforce. The main catalysers for the country’s strategic direction and policy action are the Strategy for Innovation and Efficiency of the Economy – Dynamic Poland 2020 (2013‑20), the Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) and the National Research Programme (NRP). Furthermore, the Smart Growth Operational Programme (2014‑20) has been launched to boost the innovativeness and competitiveness of the economy by funding investment in research, development and innovation, with the support of the European structural funds.