The aim of the research is to assess the targeting of financial resources granted by the Lower Silesia province self-government as part of Village Renewal in a Lower Silesia competition based on types and categories of projects implemented in 2008-2018. A properly directed management of local communities can have a positive impact on the development of the entire region. Not only do large EU funds have a real impact on improving the quality of life of rural residents, through cooperation initiatives, but small grants financed from the funds of province self-governments also do. An example is the Village Renewal programme – the longest-running regional programme for activating local communities. Activities in the field of village renewal implemented in Lower Silesia since 2008 indicate the dynamic progress of social participation. The analysis of projects co-financed from the province self-government proved that they were mainly directed at supporting the development of socio-cultural infrastructure as well as sports and recreation and leisure infrastructure. The experience of the self-government of the Lower Silesia province shows that external intervention in local systems through targeted regional projects opens new possibilities for shaping the socio-economic policy of rural areas.