Thematisation of space as a local development factor. Case study of Sierakowo Sławieńskie and Masłomęcz

From the perspective of cultural transformations in rural areas within the last 30 years, the core process is the empowerment of local communities and thus reinforcement of social and territorial identity. The aim of the article is to identify good practices applied in the process of positive changes in selected villages as a result of mobilisation and coordination of own resources and energy, creativity and hard work of people, supported by various external incentives. Adjustment to the “place” in the process of thematisation of space results from cooperation of the local community with its nearest environment, which consists in analysing and interpreting the existing conditions with regard to the planned changes. Then, the specific assets of the environment were identified to develop further local stories, related to the original motif. Those original concepts constitute an extraordinary act of creation of the place and its adjustment to the needs of the local community and visitors. In both cases, the identification and use of specific resources was of key importance, combined with important external incentives in the form of first process creators (experts) and then possibilities of financing the entire initiative (e.g. EU funds).