The aim of the paper is an assessment of the competetive and innovative potential and an outline of local innovation startegies of three districts in Lublin province recognised as the growth potential areas. The areas of łęczyński, świdnicki and puławski districts are favourably located, because are adiacent to Lublin metropolitan area. The comparative research refers to Local Innovation Strategies (LSI) recognised as an important tool of management in local systems. Results of research show that the innovativeness and competitiveness of lokal systems, aside location, material resoures and presence of key industries, depend on creation and maintaining different forms of cooperation in which an important role play: teritorial selfgeverments, research institutions and non government organisations empovered in local social and cultural environment.