Take this with you

  • BUR is PARP's service catalogue; regional operators grant the money.
  • Support agreement and ID first, course sign-up second.
  • Funding levels and limits depend on the regional call's rules.
  • Check the programme, validation and price comparison before signing up.

What BUR is

The Development Services Database (Baza Usług Rozwojowych, BUR) is an online catalogue of training, courses, advisory and coaching run by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP). Training providers publish their offers there, and individuals and businesses can sign up. BUR has a search for services and providers and a price comparison tool.

The database itself does not grant money. Funding comes from regional operators — usually regional labour offices (wojewódzki urząd pracy, WUP) or institutions chosen by the regions — under programmes financed among others by the European Social Fund Plus. That is why the rules differ between regions.

The path to funding

Regional rules show the steps clearly. For example, in the Świętokrzyskie region, in a call for adults learning on their own initiative, it looks like this:

  • register in BUR and choose a service,
  • read the rules and book a slot to submit the application,
  • submit the application and sign the support agreement — this is when you receive a support ID (ID wsparcia),
  • sign up for the service in BUR using that ID,
  • attend the course according to the agreement,
  • fill in the evaluation survey,
  • settle the costs — the office pays after approving the documents.

How much you can get

Each operator sets the funding level and limits. In the Świętokrzyskie rules cited here, services in preferred areas (including digital and green transformation) are funded at 90% of eligible costs. Other regions and calls may differ — always read the rules of the specific call.

Operators also check whether the price is at market level using the BUR comparison tool: in Świętokrzyskie a price is considered market-level if it does not exceed the third quartile of prices in the subcategory over the last three full months.

How to check an offer before signing up

A service page in BUR shows the programme, number of hours, format (in person or online), how learning outcomes are validated and the provider's details. Read it carefully: it is the basis for settlement.

  • Is the service marked as eligible for funding in your programme?
  • Does the programme describe concrete skills, not just slogans?
  • How are outcomes checked: an exam, a test, a project? Who issues the certificate?
  • Is the hourly price similar to other offers in the comparison tool?
  • Do the dates fit your work, and do they start after the support agreement is signed?

Warning signs

Be wary of offers that promise 'guaranteed funding' or offer to handle the paperwork for an extra fee. The operator decides on support, not the training company. Be careful with gifts or discounts that depend on choosing a particular service — rules usually require the choice to be independent.

If in doubt, PARP runs a BUR helpline (801 332 202 or 22 574 07 07, working days 8:30–16:30), and for regional rules ask the operator in your region.

Sources & further reading

Prepared with AI assistance using the sources below. Editorial standards ↗