Between 1994 and 1999, backward (declining) industrial areas where business activity was dying out were supported by objective 2. The objective of the structural policy in those regions was their restructuring. 16.6 billion euro, i.e. 11% of the overall value of the structural funds, was set aside to support the regions covered by objective 2.

Money coming from the structural funds was used to: develop the infrastructure, the human factor, to restore and reform industrial and municipal areas, to protect the environment and to provide technical assistance. The use of the structural funds between 1994 and 1999 led in these regions to an increase in GDP, in the employment rate and of the employees' skills, as well as to a decrease in unemployment rate and diversification of business activity.

The process of restructuring the regions covered by the assistance under the objective 2, pursued between 1994 and 1999, has not come to an end and will be continued between 2000 and 2006.