Local Civil Research Articles

Chat groups as local civic infrastructure: A case study of “Solidary neighborhood help” Telegram groups during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany

Messaging groups are emerging as “meso-spaces”—digital environments that enable sustained dialogue and collective action through their distinct affordances. We examine how such spaces facilitate civic self-organization through their hybrid online/offline, public/private, and local/global dynamics and how they function as local civic infrastructure during times of crisis. Using a mixed-methods analytical approach, we examined 47 public Telegram groups from Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic. We identified a fundamental tension between political discussion and practical help in these spaces, resolvable through active horizontal participation (including norm negotiation and self-moderation), or strict vertical moderation. Additional challenges included a lack of access to vulnerable groups and limited outreach to local civil society actors, both of which hindered group activity and structural connections within local civic infrastructure. Despite these challenges, our study highlights the potential of local chat groups for self-organization, albeit primarily among privileged urban individuals. We discuss the implications for democratic theory and practice.

Unveiling the Link between Organizational Politics and Innovative Work Behavior: Evidence from Local Civil Servants in South Korea

This study examines the intricate mechanisms linking organizational politics and innovative work behavior (IWB) through the lens of the Job Demand-Resource (JD-R) model. Given the scholarly emphasis on the interplay between job demands and job resources, the study addresses a critical gap by investigating how job resources—perceived fairness of performance appraisal and job autonomy—sequentially mediate this relationship within the public sector. Drawing on survey data from 1,054 frontline service delivery officials across 167 South Korean local governments, this study employs structural equation modeling and bootstrapping to explore these dynamics. The findings indicate that while organizational politics does not directly affect IWB, its effects are sequentially mediated by perceived fairness of performance appraisal and job autonomy. By integrating the JD-R model with constructs of organizational politics, these results offer novel theoretical insights and practical strategies for fostering IWBs in complex bureaucratic settings.

Creative placemaking at heritage sites between material improvements and selective memory: the case of Wudadao in Tianjin

Wudadao, the former British concession area of Tianjin, has undergone significant regeneration over the past decade, becoming a key urban tourism destination. This regeneration, driven by a successful creative placemaking strategy, effectively protected urban heritage, reviving the glory of the 1920s foreign architecture. However, in this paper we argue that these achievements have come at a cost to the existing local community. Drawing on interviews with local authorities and civil society, historical analysis, and field observations, this paper aims to reveal the material and symbolic impact of urban regeneration on Wudadao inhabitants and their stories. The findings show that, on the one hand, local residents have been only partially relocated, and contrary to trends in other Chinese cities, those who remained have experienced some improvements in their daily lives. On the other hand, a process of selective memory has taken place, largely erasing the more complex social history of Wudadao. This approach, which still prioritises material achievements in urban transformation processes and heritage commodification, is currently questioned at the local level, although it has not yet changed the status quo of current practices.

Analysis of the Legal Framework for Combatting Human Trafficking in Kenya

Human trafficking remains a critical issue in Kenya, serving as a source, transit, and destination country for trafficking victims. Despite various legal initiatives, including the enactment of the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2010, the persistence of human trafficking indicates significant gaps in the country's legal and enforcement mechanisms. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of Kenya's current legal framework, identifying critical deficiencies that undermine efforts to combat human trafficking effectively. Through a qualitative research methodology, including document analysis and case studies, the study explores how effective Kenya is the in the field of anti-trafficking laws and in combating human trafficking. The findings underscore substantial weaknesses in enforcing these laws, largely due to systemic corruption, insufficient resources, and a lack of sufficient specialized training among law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the research highlights the socio-economic and cultural factors that exacerbate the vulnerability of specific groups, particularly women and children, to trafficking. These factors, coupled with inadequate victim protection measures, hinder the effectiveness of Kenya's legal framework in addressing the root causes of human trafficking. The study concludes by offering targeted recommendations for strengthening Kenya's legal response to human trafficking. These include enhancing victim protection services, imposing stricter penalties on traffickers, allocating more resources to enforcement agencies, and fostering better coordination among stakeholders, including government, local civil society, and international partners. By addressing these issues, Kenya can significantly improve its efforts to combat human trafficking, safeguard the rights of victims, and fulfill its international obligations under the Palermo Protocol.

Capacity Building and Localization: Insights From Liberia

ABSTRACTThe question of how to structure international aid equitably to empower the local community and give agency to local civil society organizations (CSOs) is a recurrent theme in debates around international aid. A common strategy to enable local actors to have greater agency in the international aid system is for international donors to invest in the capacity of local CSOs through targeted capacity‐building programs. Donors incorporate capacity‐building programs into their programs, believing that increased capacity will empower and enable local actors. Scholarship on capacity building, however, has shown that capacity‐building programs are often implemented top‐down and align with the priorities and objectives of Western donors. Through the case of Liberia, this study examines the motivations and objectives of capacity‐building programs from the perspective of local CSOs. Through mapping current capacity‐building programs in Liberia and conducting focus groups with local CSO leaders, we offer empirical evidence that the capacity‐building programs available to Liberian CSOs do not meet their needs, as expressed by local CSO leaders. We contribute to the ongoing debates around capacity building by showing that the disconnect between available programs and motivations of local CSOs calls for a need for localizing capacity building for such programs to maintain the promise of the localization agenda.

Regional policy toolkits for the reintegration of war veterans into socio-labor relations

The article identifies the key problems and shortcomings of regional policy for the socio-labor reintegration of war veterans (based on the case of Lviv region). It is established that the main challenges of socio-labor reintegration in the region include: weak cooperation between local governments, businesses, and civil society organizations in ensuring the protection of the rights and freedoms of war veterans and their families; low willingness (motivation) of local employers to adapt workplaces for people with disabilities (including war veterans) or to create new jobs suitable for socially vulnerable groups; a low level of awareness among veterans about available vacancies and in-demand sectors of the labor market; and age-related barriers for servicemen returning to employment. The study substantiates that effective reintegration of war veterans into civilian life requires the implementation of institutional-administrative and economic instruments. These include modernizing information support systems to integrate veterans into regional programs and grant-based initiatives for business start-ups and retraining; motivating employers to create inclusive workplaces and adapt existing jobs for veterans; developing virtual employment options and electronic databases to facilitate veterans’ adaptation; and implementing flexible employment policies, including the ratification of international conventions and the establishment of a social insurance system for veteran freelancers. The article also proves that the transformation of new forms of employment in Ukraine reflects value-oriented changes among employers toward integrating war veterans into socio-labor relations, particularly through practices such as outsourcing, fixed-term contracts, and other non-standard forms of employment.

ANALYSIS OF THE POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING "SMALL SMART CITIES" IN KAZAKHSTAN: THE CASE OF THE SHU, AYAGOZ AND SHALKAR CITIES

This study investigates the potential for developing “small smart cities” in Kazakhstan, using Shu, Ayagoz, and Shalkar as case studies. The research addresses the need for balanced territorial development through digital transformation, emphasizing the importance of extending smart city concepts beyond major urban centers. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates the Smart City Readiness Index (SCRI), stakeholder insight analysis, and governance assessment to evaluate these cities' preparedness for smart transformation. The findings reveal substantial disparities in readiness across the three cities. Shu demonstrates the highest level of readiness (43%) across key dimensions, including digital infrastructure, economic potential, and stakeholder engagement. Ayagoz and Shalkar, though strategically located as transport hubs, lag due to weak institutional capacity, limited digital infrastructure, and insufficient stakeholder participation. All cities show notably low performance in environmental sustainability and public-private partnership development. Stakeholder analysis further highlights Shu’s relative strength in intersectoral coordination, public engagement, and trust-building mechanisms. Meanwhile, Ayagoz and Shalkar face challenges in mobilizing local academia, international partners, and civil society. Governance assessments underline the need for improved local administrative capacity, consistent funding, legal clarity, and digital governance practices in smaller municipalities. The study concludes that while small cities like Shu have foundational advantages for implementing smart city initiatives, significant institutional, infrastructural, and participatory challenges remain in Ayagoz and Shalkar. The authors recommend targeted policy interventions, enhanced stakeholder collaboration, and pilot projects tailored to local contexts. The research contributes to the discourse on equitable digital urbanization and offers practical insights for policymakers aiming to foster inclusive and sustainable smart city development in secondary urban centers across Kazakhstan

Characteristic of Children with Scald Burn Admitted in Plastic Surgery Unit of the Tertiary Care Centre of North India

Background Scalds are caused by contact with hot liquids or steam, mainly caused by spillage and immersion. The extent of the scald burn depends on temperature, volume and density of the liquid, age of the child and absorbing ability of the clothes. For the prevention of scalds, the need was felt to study the pattern and the characteristics of scald burns among children. Objective To assess the characteristics of scald, burn injuries in children admitted to the tertiary care centre of North India. Research Methodology A descriptive study was conducted in plastic surgery units of a tertiary care centre in northern India. A total of 45 children (aged up to 14 years) were enrolled using total enumerating sampling at the time of admission to the hospital. The caregivers were interviewed as per an interview schedule composing of (a) sociodemographic profile of the children and caregivers, (b) burn assessment sheet and wound status. Result Majority of scalds were due to spillage (84.4%) and 75.6% children did not receive first aid, 62.2% children did not apply anything just after the burn. Majority of the scalds happened indoors (77.8%). Most of the caregivers (84.4%) preferred the local civil hospital for the first consultation. Burnt area of 26.7% of children was in the range of 20%–25% total burn surface area (TBSA). The commonly burnt part was the lower extremities (26.1%) and chest (19.3%). Spillage from edible items was responsible for 60% of burns (tea, coffee, milk, dal, etc.). Half of the scalds happened where the kitchen was not separated from the living room, the kitchen was a sitting style or floor cooking. Most of the kitchens (60%) did not have a door and were attached to the living room. Age up to three years old and male children are at high risk for scald burns. Conclusions Spillage is the most common mode of scald. Majority of scalds occurred in indoor, that is, kitchen and bathroom. It indicates a lack of awareness and poor handling of about keep of hot drinks and hot water in houses. Raising awareness among caregivers protecting children from hot drinks and hot water is important for prevention of scald burn injuries.

Policymaking in multilevel governance: how local governments adopt sustainable development policies in Brazil

Brazil has a multilevel governance institutional arrangement, where environmental policies has been designed by the federal government but depend on the cooperation of the 5,570 municipalities, which have administrative autonomy for their implementation. The study goal was to investigate factors that drove municipalities to adopt legislation and regulation agencies regarding environmental management. The research (1) mapped government capacity for environmental management in municipalities; (2) verified the presence of local legislation for environmental regulation; and (3) identified determining factors for the adoption of that legislation. Four sets of factors were considered in that approach: (a) municipal state capacities, represented by environmental departments, councils, and budget; (b) policy diffusion; (c) political factors; and (d) demography. We used data from MUNIC 2020 [Survey of Basic Municipal Information], carried out by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics [IBGE], and electoral data from the Supreme Electoral Court [TSE]. Descriptive and inferential statistics—in this case, logistic regression—were used to analyze the data. Results suggested that municipalities with environmental councils are five times more likely to adopt environmental legislation, while the presence of specific secretariats increased the likelihood of legislation adoption by 29%. State capacities matter: Councils, secretariats and local civil service with higher education are the main factors that empower municipal governments to adopt environmental policies.

Reimagining humanitarianism: relational accountability in locally-led responses

In debates on humanitarianism in the last decade or so, ‘localisation’ has been a central concern, broadly referring to the transfer of decision-making power, resources, and responsibility to local and national actors. While the inclusion of certain actors such as local and national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is relatively straightforward, incorporating others — like affected communities themselves or local less formal civil society — is often more complex. The special issue on reimagining humanitarianism examines the transformative potential of centering communitarian practices, including mutual assistance networks, relational support systems, and local accountability frameworks, in order to rethink humanitarian action from the ground up. In this editorial, we focus on core themes in the individual articles in connection with research on local understandings and practices of accountability. ‘Local’ refers not only to actors in geographic proximity to the affected populations, but also to the embeddedness in social, cultural and accountability systems of the crisis-affected contexts. We argue that formal accountability mechanisms — systems that hold donors, NGOs, and implementing agencies responsible for their actions, decisions, and resource use — are valuable but can create an illusion of control in crisis settings. Humanitarian response is enacted by human beings, and it is ultimately human beings who hold each other to account. If accountability is truly understood as an opportunity to learn, grow, improve, in ways that include different stakeholders’ perspectives, it should be possible to achieve more reciprocal and genuine forms of accountability. This requires a perspective that centres and redefines understandings of power from a relational perspective.

Research on the Practice of Civil Servant Quality in Vietnam

Civil servants are human resources who use state power to perform public duties, serving the state and the people. Therefore, the quality of civil servants is a decisive factor in the quality, effectiveness of public service performance and the prestige of state agencies. Vietnamese law stipulates the assessment of the quality of civil servants, including the main contents, including Political qualities, Professional qualifications, and Working capacity. This study assesses the quality of local civil servants in Vietnam, so the author analyzes the Political qualities, Professional qualifications, and Working capacity of civil servants as both constituent contents and factors affecting the quality of civil servants. Based on the theoretical framework of the research, the author surveyed the opinions of 510 leaders of commune-level government agencies of 3 provinces representing 3 regions of Vietnam, including: Lai Chau province (North), Ha Tinh province (Central), Tra Vinh province (South). The research results show that local leaders underestimate the working capacity of civil servants in the practice of public service. From the conclusion of this research, the author suggests policy adjustments to improve the quality of local civil servants in Vietnam.

MODELS FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN THE EU (GOOD PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES FOR NEW MEMBER STATES OF THE EU)

The focus of the study is on sustainable urban development in the context of the European Union (EU), examining best practices and challenges related to the adaptation of successful models in the new member states of the EU. The analysis is based on the example of three leading European cities – Barcelona, Amsterdam and Copenhagen, which are known for their innovative approaches to resource management, transport, energy efficiency and social integration. The aim is to identify innovations and sustainable solutions in resource management, transport, energy efficiency and social integration. The leading thesis is that sustainable urban development in the new member states can be accelerated through strategic governance, smart technology integration and active citizen participation, supported by effective public-private partnerships and innovative financial models. The methodology used is process and strategic benchmarking, which allows for a systematic comparison of different approaches and identification of opportunities for their implementation in newer EU Member States. The results show that the successful practices in the cities examined can be adapted to the specific contexts of the new member states, provided that there is effective interaction between local government, business and civil society. The research highlights the importance of sustainable policies and management strategies that contribute to long-term socio-economic and environmental goals.

Refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants in Central Mexico: The possibilities and limits of Triple Nexus efforts among state and non-state actors

ABSTRACT The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Triple Nexus seeks to increase cooperation and coordination to address short- and long-term needs of populations and create effective sustainable solutions. Through a gender and intersectional lens, we examine how humanitarian, development and peace practices and policies by state and non-state actors address the needs of refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants in Central Mexico. Drawing on ethnographic research and secondary sources, we find that international organizations used the HDP framework explicitly and implicitly to assist, train, and coordinate local government officials and civil society organizations. Although this process registered modest success, the long-term sustainability of these advances is threatened by the local exit of international organizations due to geopolitical conflicts and the turnover of elected officials. Furthermore, the development and peace dimensions of the HDP framework demand involvement of and coordination with national and transnational actors across different scales for them to be successfully addressed.

Assessing The Quality of Local Civil Servants in Vietnam

Civil servants are human resources performing public duties, serving the interests of the state and the people. Therefore, the quality of civil servants is a decisive issue for the results and effectiveness of public service activities. Current Vietnamese law stipulates the content of civil servant quality assessment, including Ethics, Qualifications, and Capacity. The author inherits the content of these legal provisions to build a research model for assessing the quality of civil servants in Vietnam, including: 03 independent scales "Ethics", "Quality", "Capacity" and 01 dependent scale "Quality of civil servant". The model is designed to assess the impact of the contents/factors of Ethics, Qualifications, and Capacity on the quality of civil servants. Based on the theoretical framework of the research, the author surveyed the opinions of 480 leaders of commune-level government agencies of 3 provinces representing 3 regions of Vietnam, including: Dien Bien Province (North), Nghe An Province (Central), Binh Phuoc Province (South). The research results show that local leaders have low ratings on the "Capacity" scale, indicating that local civil servants at the commune level are still limited in their practical working capacity in public service activities. From there, the author discusses the content of policies to improve the quality of local civil servants in Vietnam today.

Toward a Shared Future: Why a Federation is the Only Viable Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

This article argues that sustained external involvement—especially by the United States—has often undermined peace efforts through geopolitical bias and inconsistent diplomacy. Regional actors, too, have failed to maintain a unified stance on Palestinian self-determination, as demonstrated by shifting alliances and the sidelining of the Palestinian issue in agreements like the Abraham Accords. In light of these failures, a recalibrated regional approach rooted in justice and human rights is essential. The international community must shift toward mediation frameworks grounded in international law, ensuring symmetrical recognition of Israeli and Palestinian rights, and empowering local civil society—particularly on the Palestinian side. The European Union, given its relative neutrality and economic influence, is well-positioned to facilitate this shift. Most critically, the peace process must undergo structural transformation: instead of persisting with failed bilateral talks, a multilateral, inclusive framework should be adopted, involving regional and neutral international actors alongside representatives from both communities. This includes seriously considering a federal model that enables shared sovereignty, mutual recognition, and lasting security. Only through such a comprehensive rethinking can a just and enduring peace be achieved—one that halts the cycle of violence and contributes to regional and global stability.

Mapping Cold War Civil Defense in Aarhus, Denmark

Abstract This paper addresses the overlooked spatial dimensions of civil defense infrastructure during the Cold War, focusing on Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city. While Cold War military facilities have received considerable attention, urban-scale civil defense systems have been largely neglected in archaeological research. This study bridges that gap by exploring the development and distribution of civilian shelters in Aarhus, managed by the local Civil Defense Commission (CDC) from 1950 to 1989. Using data digitized by the MELICA project from the Aarhus City Archive, extracted from Danish official building datasets, and verified during pedestrian urban survey, the paper analyzes shelter distribution and urban preparedness. Preliminary findings suggest that Aarhus had an equitable shelter network, although gaps in certain areas remain. The spatiotemporal visualizations link civil defense infrastructure to urban development patterns, providing a nuanced understanding of Cold War-era urban resilience strategies. The paper highlights the importance of integrating historical data with modern digital tools, such as geospatial analysis and digitised archives, to advance research on civil defense and inform future urban planning.

Мир авторитарного правления в начале XXI века (Часть 2)

This article explores the world of authoritarian rule in the institutional paradigm. It structures the world of authoritarian rule on the basis of religion highlighting clusters of Muslim, Christian and Buddhist states, as well as a cluster of states in which followers of any religion do not constitute an absolute majority and a communist cluster, in which states are ruled by parties professing communist ideology in its various interpretations. The article shows that the states of the world under authoritarian rule are unevenly distributed across the geographical regions: 90% of these are located in Asia and Africa, while America, Europe, and Oceania are home to only 10% of such states. At the same time, dominant position in the world of authoritarian rule is held by China, which claims to be the pole of power opposing the United States and NATO. The Greater Middle East can be considered the territorial core of the world of authoritarian rule with Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey claiming leading positions and Qatar holding a special position. Extreme isolationist positions are taken, on the one side, by Afghanistan as an uncompromising defender of true Islam and, on the other, by DPRK as an “unassailable fortress” based on the state ideology of Juche. At the beginning of the 21st century, which can be described as the “autumn of the patriarchs,” twenty-four rulers of authoritarian states with a republican form of government, who had begun to rule in the 20th century, left the political scene. Eleven more political centenarians retain power till the present day. This article analyzes the phenomenon of political instability, which is typical exclusively of the world of authoritarian rule and the key factor of which is the participation in the political field of armed groups in the form of a military coup, civil war and terrorist activity of radical Islamic organizations. It is pointed out that internationalized civil wars, local civil wars with a cross-border component and cross-border terrorist activities of radical Islamic organizations pose significant threats to stability and security at the global level, in the global political realm as a whole.

Developing digital capacity of Vietnamese civil servants

The development of a digital society is a trend in every country, posing many new requirements on digital capacity for state agencies, civil servants, and citizens so that people's transactions with the state are carried out in the digital environment, and civil servants play the role of the subject in performing this task. This means civil servants must have digital knowledge and skills, form digital capacity to perform public duties, interact, and solve people's work in the digital environment. This study builds a theoretical framework on the digital capacity of civil servants, including (1) Competency in using digital technology, (2) Competency in exploiting digital data, (3) Competency in performing digital transactions. The author designs a theoretical model aimed at assessing the impact of these three digital capacities on the work results of civil servants in the digital environment. The survey was conducted with a sample size of N = 450 commune-level local civil servants from three provinces with difficult conditions and low growth in three regions of Vietnam, including Lai Chau province (North), Quang Ngai province (Central), and An Giang province (South). The research results show that commune-level local civil servants self-assess their digital capacity at a low level in all three of the above contents. This reality poses requirements for the development and implementation of training and fostering policies on digital capacity for local civil servants in Vietnam today. With that research conclusion, the author suggests some contents to improve policies to develop digital capacity and enhance the quality of local civil servants in Vietnam in the trend of a digital society.

Contributions to Sustainable Development in Coastal Communities of the Gulf of Mexico While Assessing Climate Change: A Case Study

The sustainable development of the coastal watersheds can contribute to facing climate change. This research aimed to identify the climate change adaptation measures contributing to the sustainable development: environmental, social, and economic, applied to a local project that promoted an integrated environmental management of coastal watersheds, “The Coastal Watershed Conservation Project in the Context of Climate Change (C6)”. The study used a quantitative evaluation framework and analysis of variance that considered the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Agenda 2030. The data was collected from project reports and key actors of the 29 interventions executed by 24 local civil society organizations in the Mexican Tabasco and Veracruz communities in the coastal Gulf of Mexico. The results indicate that the adaptation actions implemented through the C6 project contributed to sustainable development with the highest contribution in the social aspect (41%), followed by environmental (27%), economic (16%), peace (10%), and partnership (7%). Therefore, it can be concluded that local civil society organizations created strategies according to the local needs to face climate change and, at the same time, to improve sustainable development in their communities.

A Critical Reflection on the Contributions and Barriers of Local Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to National Development in Ghana

The localisation agenda highlights a need for greater inclusion of local actors, including civil society organisations (CSOs), in influencing development outcomes. However, concerns have been raised about the relevance and future of civil society within a changing international development landscape. Drawing on 28 semi-structured interviews with local CSO representatives and key informants, two donor representatives and ten community members in Ghana, this article examines the contributions of local CSOs and the constraints hindering their ability to promote national development. Using the typologies of government-CSO relationships as the analytical lens, the empirical evidence suggests that local CSOs promote democratic consolidation through their educational, information-sharing, and watchdog roles as part of their cooperation relationship with the government. The findings show that as part of their confrontational relationship, local CSOs act as policy entrepreneurs by influencing government policies, advocating for social justice, and creating decent and dignified jobs. Yet, we find that shrinking civic space, limited access to information and funding opportunities, and legitimacy crisis act as constraints to local CSOs’ ability to meaningfully contribute to national development in Ghana. We show how adversarial relationships in the form of shrinking civic space profoundly affect local CSOs and undermine democratic gains experienced over the years. Implications of the findings for policy and practice are discussed.