A sołectwo [sɔˈwɛt͡stfɔ] ⓘ (Polish plural: sołectwa) is an administrative unit in Poland, an optional subdivision of a gmina.
[1] The legislative organ in a sołectwo is a zebranie wiejskie [pl] (village meeting) and the executive is a sołtys.
[2] A zebranie wiejskie is an example of a direct democracy, as the most important concerns of the citizens are addressed.
[citation needed] The equivalent of a sołectwo in a city is often an osiedle or a dzielnica.
Sołectwa were used as city districts in the cities of Krasnystaw, Orzesze, Jastrzębie-Zdrój, Mikołów, Pieszyce, Zawiercie, Suwałki, Kalisz, Czarna Woda, Miasteczko Śląskie, Woźniki, Sejny and Świnoujście.