Innovation and the endogenous resources of Polish eastern border cities

The interest in the Polish eastern border cities is rooted in the desire to trace their socio-economic and urban development conditions of a specific, peripheral location within the provinces which are facing many problems. The general study covers four eastern Polish provinces; detailed investigations were carried out in 28 border cities located within those areas. It seems interesting to examine the involvement of the local authorities and citizens in different types of initiatives that encourage internal development. For this reason, the main objective of this study was to investigate selected aspects of endogenous activities and consider whether one can allocate them as an innovation, and whether they can condition the local success or stagnation. Analysis of the activity of the local authorities was based on urban development strategies and EU structural funds. Analysis of the activity of the local community was based on: the professional, scientific and technical activities; local newspapers, publishers and editors; and foundations and community organizations. Endogenous activity in the border cities could step up their development especially if associated with innovation activities. Unfortunately, large part of these cities is not developed in an active way, neither by residents nor local authorities