In the article defined and justified priority directions of state regulation of social and economic development of rural areas. Proved that the socio-economic development of rural areas is an important component of social and regional public policy. Found that state regulation of socio-economic development of rural areas is at four levels: national, regional, local and grassroots. The basic tools of regulation of rural development are analyzed. It was determined that today; one of the effective methods of state regulation of rural development is to finance social infrastructure settlements. But every year more and more complicated operation of village councils along with deficit of local budgets. This is why rural communities offer the use of the grant funding. The list of international funds that promote social and economic development of rural areas of Ukraine.