RESEARCH OF THE ROLE OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES, PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS AND YOUTH IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Abstract

The article examines the role of public organizations and, in particular, young people in planning and implementing environmental initiatives in cooperation with local governments to achieve sustainable development goals. The study of the role of local governments, NGOs, and youth in implementing the regional environmental policy was carried out on the example of the Sumy region. The choice of the local level for analysis is determined by a combination of ecological, cultural, and spiritual interests and traditions of the population, which is why it is a priority management mechanism for the interaction of society and the environment. The analysis allowed us to obtain the following results and draw conclusions. Regional environmental initiatives are essential structural elements for planning and implementing effective programs and projects. Regional environmental agreements are increasingly pointing to a certain eco-territoriality, non-state or sub-state stakeholders are increasingly complementing public actors, and research is expanding beyond purely environmental issues to cover broader concepts of sustainable development. The success of environmental programs and the achievement of sustainable development goals largely depends on the public and business's active participation. It is difficult to develop and implement effective initiatives and programs without effective approaches to motivate individuals in environmental programs, government agencies, and other stakeholders. Comparing the situation in Ukraine with the experience of European countries, it is impossible not to note the contradictions in the process of development and implementation of environmental initiatives by youth organizations in the field of environmental issues. The activity of public organizations of ecological orientation in the Sumy region is systematized in the manuscript. It is determined that representatives of public organizations are constantly involved in the discussion of critical environmental issues of the region. An effective tool in involving young people in the planning and implementation of environmental initiatives is the creation of a youth environmental council and organising joint activities at local state administrations or local governments. In this way, there will be cooperation between government officials and enterprising youth.