FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCE OF TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES: ESSENCE AND CONDITIONS OF IMPLEMENTATION

Abstract

Introduction. IThe implementation of reforms of the administrative-territorial system, public administration and local self-government in Ukraine has actualized the issue of substantiating the theoretical foundations of the financial support of territorial communities as a starting condition for achieving their self-sufficiency. The application in scientific works of various conceptual constructions that relate to the organization of finances of administrative-territorial units of the basic level requires a certain arrangement of them, which is necessary for the development of a set of measures aimed at realizing the ultimate goals of the announced reforms - the creation of a full-fledged living environment, meeting the various needs of citizens and providing them high-quality public services. Therefore, determining the essence of financial self-sufficiency of territorial communities is important not only from the standpoint of the theory of local finances, but also from a practical point of view. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the definition of the essence of financial self-sufficiency of territorial communities based on the analysis of scientific approaches available in the literature, as well as to single out its most important components and conditions of provision. Results. The main approaches to determining the essence of financial capacity and financial self-sufficiency of territorial communities are considered. A proper definition of financial self-sufficiency of territorial communities is proposed. Emphasis is placed on financial resources as a material basis for ensuring financial self-sufficiency of the territorial community. The two most important signs of a financially self-sufficient community are defined: autonomy and independence in decision-making regarding the formation, distribution and use of one’s own financial resources, as well as the sufficiency of the financial resources of local self-government bodies, which is necessary for them to fulfill their own and delegated powers. The main components of financial self-sufficiency of territorial communities are highlighted - institutional, organizational, financial, information and personnel. The most important conditions for ensuring the financial self-sufficiency of territorial communities are formulated, taking into account which will contribute to the achievement of the goals of the reform of local self-government in Ukraine. Conclusions. It is justified that a territorial community can be considered financially self-sufficient, which possesses sufficient financial resources, which local self-government bodies can dispose of independently at their own discretion in order to fulfill their functions and tasks, provide the population with high-quality public services, meet various local needs and ensure the stable development of the community in short- and long-term perspective. The most important conditions for ensuring financial self-sufficiency of the territorial community are systematized in terms of institutional, organizational, financial, information and personnel components.