The process of socioeconomic development is characterized by regional disparities, distinguishing between regions that are developing dynamically and those that are lagging behind in development. The development policies being implemented, including regional policy, are formulated with reference to regional socioeconomic conditions and by taking into account the so-called location factor. Regional
development disparities determine the objectives of regional policy, and its implementation, as well as
its effective and consistent execution, should address existing regional conditions. The objective of any regional development policy is to focus on territorial equalization of the diverse economic
and social conditions of the functioning and development of areas, including rural areas as well as mountainous and foothill regions.
The subject of the research was an assessment of the socio-economic development of regions in Poland and the sustainable development of rural areas as well as mountainous and foothill regions. This monograph assesses the impact of rural development, as well as innovation and research and development activities,
on the socio-economic development of regions, and also examines the impact of the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Rural Development Program (RDP) 2007–2013 and 2014–2020 on the sustainable development of rural areas and mountainous and foothill regions in Poland.