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Rural development is a multifaceted concept encompassing economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions. This paper explores the various factors involved in promoting rural development, with a focus on the outcome produced by the interplay between agriculture, infrastructure development, non-farm activities, social and cultural relations, education, environmental sustainability and government interventions. Drawing from scholarly literature and empirical evidence, it examines the role of each of these components in enhancing the well-being of rural communities. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of rural economies, but diversification into non-farm activities and the development of infrastructure are equally important. Infrastructure investments improve market access, reduce transaction costs, and stimulate economic activity, while non-farm activities contribute to job creation and income generation. Moreover, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation can drive economic growth and create opportunities for rural businesses. Social and cultural relations play a vital role in rural development, fostering community cohesion and resilience. Education emerges as a key enabler of rural development, empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to participate in economic and social life effectively. Environmental sustainability is integral to rural development, as it ensures the long-term viability of rural ecosystems and livelihoods. Overall, rural development requires coordinated efforts across multiple fronts, involving various stakeholders and sectors. By addressing economic, social, cultural and environmental challenges in an integrated manner, policymakers can foster inclusive and sustainable rural development, thereby improving the well-being of rural communities and contributing to overall national development goals.

This article explores the complex relationship between state aid and the evolution of economic environment, with a particular focus on the competitiveness of the regions where the aid beneficiaries activate. Many economic theories and ideas discuss the impact of state involvement on economic growth, emphasizing that excessive intervention can result in inefficiencies and distortions. However, targeted and strategic aid has the potential to stimulate economic growth, promote innovation, and address market failures. The paper compares EU regions with a high Competitiveness Index to those at the bottom of the competitiveness list, examining the volume and nature of aid provided to companies in these regions. The aim is to determine whether a direct relationship exists between aid and competitiveness. The findings generally confirm the previous research highlighting the beneficial effects of state aid on businesses’ competitiveness, but with some original findings. We discovered that state aid supports the competitiveness of the beneficiaries, but some types of aid are more appropriate to sustain a company and make it more competitive. State aid promoting training, research, development, and innovative activities and infrastructure has greater potential to help companies become more competitive in the present global market.