Introduction. In modern realities, when there is a rapid decline of the Ukrainian countryside, provoked by the demographic crisis and the economic decline of production in the countryside, the process of finding additional investments for the development of rural areas in accordance with European trends in economic development is gaining relevance.
The purpose of the paper is to substantiate theoretical provisions regarding the role of investments in rural areas of Ukraine. According to the goal, the task of the paper is to determine the main problems and prospects of attracting investments in the development of rural areas of Ukraine. Research methodology. In the research process, the following methods were used: dialectical - when learning about investment processes and phenomena; abstract-logical – substantiation of theoretical provisions regarding the development of investment processes; economic and statistical – identifying trends and regularities in the investment process; graphic – estimates of the main indicators of the dynamics and structure of investments; strategic planning – when substantiating the investment forecast.
Results. A brief review of theoretical provisions and methodological approaches regarding the assessment of the role of the investment process was conducted and the most important directions of its activation in the rural areas of Ukraine were substantiated. The main problems preventing the development of the investment climate in villages and regions have been identified. The prospects for the development of investment in rural areas and alternative options for the economic development of the village are analyzed in contrast to the stereotypical vision of the village as an exclusively subject of agricultural production.
Conclusions. As a novelty of the research, the theoretical provisions regarding the economic essence of the investment process have been further developed, in particular, the definition of its concept in relation to rural areas, signs and directions of activation has been proposed. Practical significance. The results of the study can be used in the formation of the investment strategy of local self-government and state policy in agriculture.
