Streszczenie
In the chapter, the problem of the conditions of social innovations (such as human and social capital) was analyzed. On the basis of the literature of the subject (mainly English) the term social innovation was defined and the problem of its social perception was discussed. In the context of the characteristics of rural communities (especially the potential of their social capital) the method of citizens mobilization to participate in the innovation process was described as well as the LEADER approach – a social innovation that can stimulate the other ones.