Abstract:

Rural renewal as a tool for influencing local development in the economic and social aspect is a response to the needs of the rural areas in the fields of economy, social life, culture, innovation and agriculture development. It constitutes a challenge for local government units, i.e. equalizing the level of socio-economic development in their area, the ability to diagnose social needs, solving problems with particular emphasis on increasing social activity based on informal potential social bonds. The article concerns the issue of regional support for the idea of village renewal in the context of stimulating social innovation in rural areas. The research focuses on the analysis of the effects of self-government contest “Activities Promoting the Idea of Village Renewal” implemented in Poland in Lower Silesia region in 2009-2018 under the program of the Marshal's Office of Lower Silesia. The program creates many opportunities for the local community development, offering alternative development paths requiring active community attitudes. The article presents bottom-up initiatives and activities, stimulating social innovations and featuring the role of public policy in supporting rural development through the potential of local community.