Cultural potential in the process of fostering rural development

The purpose of this paper is to present a new perspective on the importance of culture in the process of fostering rural development. It includes the presentation of culture and cultural potential of modern concepts of development and strategic documents and the ability to use cultural potential both at local and regional levels. The article is an ordering. The following are presented: the concept of creative potential, concept of sustainable development, National Regional Development Strategy 2010-2020: Regions, Cities, Rural Areas, as well as good practice of Opole, as examples of introduction of new solutions into effect.