The Diversity and Determinants of Social Engagement in Rural Poland: Insight From Contemporary Communities

ABSTRACT This article contributes to the discussion on nonformal activity within the framework of voluntary social self‐organisations in rural areas in Poland. An exploratory principal component analysis using a fixed three‐component solution yielded three descriptive profiles of co‐occurring activities: neighbourhood, institutional and philanthropic engagement. The study shows that social engagement in these areas is characterised by diversity, with most respondents engaging in non‐formal activities such as neighbourly assistance, involvement in local events and voluntary work for the municipality or parish. This research highlights the need to strengthen informal social engagement as a mechanism to enhance local community resilience amid dynamic socioeconomic and political changes. The findings are valuable in forming social strategies. The research concerns a region still under‐represented in the international literature.