EN
The article presents the role and functions of local self-governments on the district and county level in creating conditions favourable for the development of entrepreneurship, vocational activation and alleviating negative socio-economic results of unemployment in rural areas. Activities undertaken by authorities of the Dębno district and the Brzesko county concerning vocational activation of rural dwellers and development of economic entities in the SMEs sector in 1999-2003 focused on creating favourable conditions for private entrepreneurs using fiscal policy tools and through assistance provided to improve infrastructure in the areas within the sphere of interest of local businesses. At the same time attempts to mobilize the unemployed persons were undertaken. Measures, such as e.g. practical placements and contracts for graduates, trainings or re-trainings of employees resulted in gradually decreasing number of unemployed persons from 16.1% in 2001 to 13.4% in 2003. District is the basic unit of the territorial self-government appointed to take independent decisions concerning allocation of means and direction of development of individual areas, which considering specific local conditions constitutes a key argument for decentralization of authority and improving the efficiency of the state policy.