The evolution of the functions of agriculture and rural areas in Poland was accelerated when agricultural policy was incorporated into rural policy in 1994, which aimed to make these areas multifunctional. Since then, agricultural and rural development strategies have taken into account their new functions. These functions are both commercial and non-commercial in nature. The growing importance of the latter has led to their new division into four groups: green, blue, yellow and white. The increasing multifunctionality of Polish rural areas has enabled them to receive greater support from public funds, especially from the EU. Thus, development policy is gaining significant significance in current and future regional policy. It is currently focused on the competitiveness of the region based on local resources and greater joint activity of residents, entrepreneurs and representatives of local administration. Village renewal concepts also play an important role in consolidating the functions of rural areas.