The aim of the study was to assess the impact of public financial support on investment activities in rural areas. The results of the survey carried out on the representative group of beneficiaries of selected RDP 2007-2013 measures in Małopolska region were presented. The results of the research show that obtained grants allow the vast majority of beneficiaries to carry out investment projects of key importance for the further development of their business. Many of these projects wouldn’t have been implemented without the financial support from public funds. Supported projects positively impact on investment activity of enterprises through additional investments that will undoubtedly help to complement and enhance the positive effects of the supported projects.