Key socio-economic problems in rural areas of Podlasie Voivodeship in the context of the development of entrepreneurship

Abstract

Polish rural areas are the sites of the accumulation of many development problems, which are generally more difficult to solve there than in cities. The villages differentiate more and more, both inthe regional and socio-economic sense. The transformation of these areas is ongoing, changing theirfunction as well which, dominated by the growth of the multi-functionality of agriculture, gives way to the growing multi-functionality of rural areas. The consequence of the new features of the non-agricultural village is the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises and, consequently, reduced unemployment, which is one of the most important problems of rural areas. The Polish countryside and the population of rural areas currently face many challenges. These arise primarily from the needto further adapt agriculture and the agri-food industry to the requirements of the common market and competition in the global markets. In order to meet the challenges, the residents of rural areas must, to a greater extent than before, demonstrate the ability to organise themselves around common goals and joint problem-solving. The village and rural areas are facing serious challenges and the driving force lies in their residents. The purpose of this paper is to present the key socio-economic problems of rural areas in the Podlasie Voivodeship, and draw attention to those requiring urgent intervention.