The article deals with the issue of rural development in Poland. The aim of the article is to determine the dynamics of change in the level of socio-economic development of rural communes in Poland (NUTS 5) in the years 2004 – 2014 through verification of the hypothesis of the existence of beta-convergence. The beta-convergence approach is verified by econometric modelling techniques. The statistical data came from the Local Data Bank (LDB) of the Central Statistical Office (CSO). Based on the analysis of changes in the development level of the rural areas in Poland it was stated that there is convergence. However, the strength of the convergence process is different depending on the dimensions of development. It reported a strong relationship between the average growth rate of aggregate indicators relating to the financial dimension. In other dimensions, such as labour market, living conditions, health and social care, education, demography and culture, it showed the occurrence of slow convergence processes.

The changing economic and social situation in the regions leads to the changing understanding of the potential which exists in the countryside. This research is based on the idea that farmers operate in close neighbourhood with the local communities and therefore they may hold a potential to start innovation processes in rural regions as agents of change. This may happen individually or together with the local community. Farmers are active in acquiring new knowledge and experience through collaboration with advanced innovation centres in research laboratories and universities, and sharing with the local community, thus making these innovations open. The success of innovators comes in line with the collaboration and therefore the defined three key factors of ‘innovating together’ in this research are: first, the shift from technical to organizational innovations; second, the shift from sectorial to territorial rural development strategies; third, the size of farms and rural enterprises due to the limited number of employees. Theoretical findings are followed by empirical investigations from representative data collected in Lithuanian farms in 2017, supported with relevant statistical analysis. Research results show that the potential for ‘innovating together’ in Lithuanian farms is rather weak when taking into account all three factors. However, there are reasons behind this which give insights for future developments in the field.

The primary goal of public projects is to create social benefits for the community. The prepared public project usually has more than one option. In order to choose the most efficient option, it is necessary to take into consideration all social benefits. For this reason multi-criteria methods may be applied since they provide a possibility to assess quantitatively social benefits which are measured in many different quantitative and qualitative indicators. The problem of the research stems from a variety of social benefits indicators of public projects, the problematic establishment of their value and the need of their complex valuation. The paper presents a methodology for TOPSIS multi-criteria method adapted for the valuation of public projects in order to select investment option and the empirical research makes it possible to look at the problems of public project valuation from the practical approach. The research of the paper is aimed at revealing the advantages and limitations of TOPSIS multi-criteria method used for public projects valuation.

The study deals with issues related to the impact of Natura 2000 sites on local development of rural communes in Poland. The purpose of the study is an attempt at comparing the level of social-economic development of rural communes in which Natura 2000 sites are located within their borders against other communes where there are no such sites, based on an analysis of selected indices. The selected indices of social-economic development were analysed in 424 rural communes in six Polish provinces. The study uses statistical data from the Central Statistical Office from the years 2000-2013. The analysis indicates that rural areas with Natura 2000 network sites do not differ from other units of local government as far as the level of social-economic development is concerned and in some cases show even better results. In the ‘Natura’ communes – compared to units where there are no such sites – the level of total income is higher, along with the commune’s own income, and there is a higher level of investment expenditure. The conducted analysis allows for the statement that the presence of Natura 2000 sites does not hinder economic development of communes and only modifies the manner of preparation and implementation of an investment. It does not constitute a barrier to human activity on the condition that any such activity complies with the principles of sustainable development. This testifies to the higher economic activity of inhabitants in comparison to other units.

This article presents analysis of the role of rural community in enhancement and implementation of changes in rural social infrastructure. Rural social infrastructure is a key part of rural social and economic system, the development level of which predetermines satisfaction of needs of rural residents, fulfilment of their range of choices and alternatives. The main objective of this article is to deploy the fact that application of “bottom-up” approach could stimulate rural community to make decision intended for promotion of positive changes when straining after the attractiveness of their locations through the rational development of social infrastructure facilities, supply of target, high-quality and multiple services. The following research question has been addressed – what is the potential contribution of rural community towards promotion of changes in social infrastructure of rural areas. The research aim is to disclose the role of rural community in enhancement of rural social infrastructure changes. An anonymous survey using questionnaire was implemented in five pilot rural areas and the summary of results is presented. It has been determined that activity and citizenship of rural community in assumption of liabilities for the wellbeing of all rural residents predefines the relevancy of their decisions and opinions before the local authorities and other concerned local or regional institutions. Consequently, the challenge for mentioned rural development actors is to identify or recognise the constraints on rural community participation in forming social infrastructure at local level, and to develop and enable specific initiatives in their favour.