Towards integrated pollution control in inland watersheds: addressing multiple challenges through watershed-scale technological systems and targeted control strategies.

Early career researchers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face substantial barriers when writing research grants and have limited writing support. A designathon approach was applied to organize a grant writing workshop (grant-o-thon) tailored for early-career LMIC researchers. This study describes the planning, implementation, and participant-reported outcomes of the grant-o-thon as a participatory training approach. Grant-o-thons were organized in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Consistent with the designathon model, the grant-o-thon was structured in three stages: preparation using co-creation with end-users, intensive collaborative teamwork supported by mentor feedback and weekly writing deliverables, and structured follow-up. Each grant-o-thon consisted of six weekly 90-minute online sessions focused on US NIH grant writing. Each session included a 30-minute didactic lecture open to all and a 60-minute small-group activity for participants who submitted specific aims. Small group participants were matched with coaches and assigned to groups based on research interests. Follow-up surveys assessed self-reported skills, mentorship experiences, and later grant-related activities. Survey data were analyzed descriptively, and open-ended responses were analyzed thematically. A total of 221 participants attended the didactic lectures, and 32 joined the small group activities. Among 60 survey respondents, 51 (85%) were from LMICs. Participants in both formats reported higher self-assessed grant-writing competencies after the program. Many described peer mentorship as a valuable component of the experience. In 2025 follow-up data, small-group participants reported higher NIH grant submission rates than lecture-only participants (P = .0097). These findings suggest that this designathon-informed grant-writing program was feasible and acceptable for early-career LMIC researchers. Future iterations will focus on strengthening post-grant-o-thon mentorship and deepening partnerships with existing global health training programs. In light of limited grant-writing support, adaptation of this participatory model may be warranted.

To improve wildlife management outcomes, in terms of reaching management goals and increasing legitimacy, Nordic countries have developed institutional systems involving stakeholders that aim for a more inclusive and participatory model. Given the high levels of human-wildlife conflict, we conducted a scoping review to examine the institutional characteristics and outcomes of the wildlife management model used in Finland, Norway, and Sweden and examined what lessons this model has for management systems worldwide. By using an analytical framework developed from the institutional analysis and development framework, we conducted our scoping review focusing on context, process, and outcomes. We found 41 articles relevant for analyses, most of which focused on Sweden. The Nordic wildlife management model showed mixed results, depending on which species was managed. In general, goose management was characterized by high levels of adaptability and acceptance, but due to mobility of the species and growth in geese populations, effective actions to achieve management goals were difficult to identify. A similar pattern was found for management of ungulates, although it was not as difficult to find effective actions to achieve the management goals. Acceptance of large carnivore management was relatively low, and there were high levels of distrust and power imbalances associated with this management. Management of large carnivores also lacked adaptability, and there was need for more research on ways to achieve management goals effectively. We found no straightforward solution to human-wildlife conflicts, but institutions can positively influence the adaptability, effectiveness, and acceptance of management, depending on the context. Particularly important for the capacity of wildlife management systems is building on previous experiences and continuous exploration of alternative management forms to strengthen adaptability. Lessons drawn from the Nordic model of wildlife management can help avoid mistakes in future management reforms.

Recent reforms in Indonesia’s zakat governance have intensified debates concerning the balance between state authority and civil society participation, particularly following Constitutional Court Decisions No. 97/PUU-XXII/2024 and No. 54/PUU-XXIII/2025. Existing studies on zakat governance have predominantly emphasized managerial efficiency, institutional performance, and administrative accountability, while paying limited attention to the constitutional implications of zakat regulation and its alignment with the normative objectives of Islamic law. This study addresses this gap by examining how zakat governance in Indonesia can be reconstructed through the integration of constitutional principles, good governance, and maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah. The study aims to examine the extent to which the current zakat management framework aligns with the objectives of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, evaluate the institutionalization of good governance principles, and formulate a participatory governance model that balances state authority with civil society involvement. Employing a normative legal research design, this study utilizes statutory, conceptual, and maqāṣidī approaches through doctrinal analysis of Law No. 23 of 2011 on Zakat Management and relevant Constitutional Court decisions. The findings reveal that Indonesia’s zakat governance remains structurally centralized under BAZNAS, generating institutional imbalances and weakening participatory accountability. Although the Constitutional Court upheld the legality of the current framework, it simultaneously mandated reforms to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public participation. This study proposes a maqāṣid-based good zakat governance model grounded in dual oversight and institutional checks and balances to promote distributive justice, public welfare, and sustainable zakat governance.

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodologies align closely with the field of community psychology. System dynamics group model building (SD GMB) represents a CBPR-grounded approach that is centered on collaborating with stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of the dynamic complexity of a community problem, represented as a system dynamics (SD) model, and identifying potential solutions. Much is still unknown regarding the value of SD GMB for improving systems thinking capacity among community stakeholders. Therefore, this study evaluates systems thinking capacity among 32 stakeholders who participated in SD GMB workshops from two recent studies. Stakeholders completed a baseline survey before the first SD GMB workshop session and a final evaluation survey following the last session. This survey included a validated systems thinking scale (Dolansky et al., 2020) and a “systems thinking knowledge quiz” (only administered during the baseline survey) developed by the research team to assess stakeholder knowledge of key concepts. Among all stakeholders, the average systems thinking quiz score was nearly 45%, and knowledge quiz scores were higher among stakeholders who were older in age, had lived experience, were in healthcare provider or academic researcher/data professional roles, represented the nonprofit or grassroots sectors, reported prior experience with SD GMB, or did not attend the pre-session orientation. Overall, stakeholders’ pretest scores and post-test scores did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference; however, increases in systems thinking mean scores were observed among stakeholders who were younger in age, had lived experience, were in community-based nonprofit staff roles, represented nonprofit or grassroots organizations, did not have prior SD GMB experience, or did not attend orientation. These findings underscore the importance of adopting a more differentiated and context-sensitive approach to evaluating SD GMB interventions. Future research should further explore how participatory modeling fosters systems thinking capacity across different stakeholder groups.

As climate change intensifies, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe, highlighting the urgent need for innovative and participatory approaches to flood risk management. Citizen observatories (COs) have emerged as promising models for fostering community engagement and preparedness in risk governance, yet their success depends on sustained and meaningful citizen participation.This paper presents an in-depth, psychosocially-informed qualitative study of two municipalities in the Brenta-Bacchiglione catchment, both exposed to a significant hydraulic risk and participating in a pioneering CO for flood risk management. The research employed a qualitative methodology that combined interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis. A thematic analysis of 30 semi-structured interviews was conducted to explore the psychosocial factors that facilitate or hinder civic involvement in flood prevention initiatives.Key barriers to participation identified included risk denial, resistance to change, and strained relations between citizens and institutional actors. Leveraging factors comprised learning by doing activities, leveraging historical flood memory, and fostering broad environmental awareness.The findings showed that social psychological insights are critical in addressing risk denial, navigating community dynamics, and promoting a culture of prevention and shared responsibility. The paper concludes with practical recommendations for project managers and local authorities to design more robust, inclusive, and socially grounded participatory models for climate adaptation and resilience.

Europe faces the dual challenges of population ageing and increasing migration, resulting in a growing demographic of older immigrants with complex healthcare needs. Despite extensive research on ageing and migration, regional evidence on healthcare provision for older immigrants remains fragmented. Participatory approaches that integrate the voices and experiences of older immigrants can improve cultural sensitivity, accessibility, and health equity, ultimately leading to better outcomes. This scoping review seeks to contribute to filling the existing knowledge gap by systematically mapping the literature on healthcare provision using participatory approaches for older immigrants in Europe. This scoping review followed Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework and the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. A comprehensive search of five electronic databases was conducted in February 2025. Eligible studies included empirical research focusing on immigrants aged 60 years and older in Europe that used participatory approaches to healthcare provision. Data were charted and synthesized thematically to identify barriers and facilitators of healthcare utilization discussed in the context of participatory approaches, as well as gaps in the literature. From 2,411 records, 23 studies published between 2011 and 2025 met the inclusion criteria. Most were conducted in the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Sweden, employing diverse qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods designs. Common participatory strategies included bilingual/bicultural staff, partnerships with community organizations, and the involvement of peer researchers. These approaches enhanced trust, relevance, and access to healthcare services. Key barriers were language and communication difficulties, cultural stigma, and distrust of services. Enablers included culturally adapted interventions, continuity of care, and trusted community engagement. However, many studies reported the use of superficial participatory methods, underrepresented certain migrant groups, and rarely assessed long-term outcomes or compared participatory versus non-participatory models. Participatory approaches demonstrate strong potential to enhance healthcare provision for older immigrants in Europe by improving cultural competence, accessibility, and trust. To achieve equity, participatory practices must be embedded into mainstream healthcare systems through sustainable funding, workforce training, and policy reforms. Future research should prioritize comparative evaluations, long-term impact assessments, and inclusion of underrepresented immigrant populations.

Characterizing the motivating components of individual or group narratives can help understand how different stakeholders and communities engage with each other, and how information, values, and beliefs are used to arrive at decisions affecting social-ecological systems (SES). A set of “resonances”, factors depicting what people care about and are willing to express, is presented along with applications relating to water and environmental management in New Zealand and in the USA. The resonances describe commonly encountered preferences, beliefs, needs, and motivations (PBNM) expressed in individual and/or group narratives. Resonance analyses can be used to record expressed PBNM. Recognition of resonances could also be used, possibly in real-time and aided by AI tools, to plan, track progress, facilitate, and enhance critical reflective thinking for participatory modeling and stakeholder/community engagement processes. Resonance analyses could be applied to more transparently document, understand, and improve management and decision-making for SES resource and environmental issues over longer-term periods, even with changes in decision actors and redistributions of decision powers. The set of resonances presented in this paper is an important tool that can be used to create, curate, and add to knowledge bases and records of engagement and decision-making for natural resource and environmental issues and for SES.

African swine fever (ASF) poses an ongoing threat to pig production and wild boar across Europe. Controlling ASF in wild boar builds a complex system with many stakeholders involved. Participatory modelling complements traditional risk assessments by identifying leverage points, revealing practical barriers, and supporting adaptive, context-sensitive management in complex animal health systems. To strengthen ASF preparedness in Switzerland, we applied participatory modelling by engaging stakeholders from two regions in the co-development of semi-quantitative system models for the anticipated control of ASF in wild boar. Through a structured series of workshops, participants collaboratively identified key control measures, their leveraging and hindering factors and potential consequences within and beyond the ASF response system. Within the model, control measures were prioritised based on their expected impact over time within the system. Across regions, the stakeholder-informed model consistently prioritized measures related to coordination, operational communication amongst stakeholders and risk communication to the public, and carcass search and disposal. Many of the top-ranked measures came from thematic areas not covered in that-time existing technical guidelines, reflecting the added value of participatory approaches. Across regions, influencing factors such as coordination structures, legal frameworks, and resource availability, including trained personnel and carcass search dogs, were identified as critical enablers for effective ASF control. The analysis revealed a growing emphasis on clear and centralised government leadership. Beyond model outputs, the participatory modelling process fostered trust, strengthened cross-sectoral networks, and enhanced co-construction of knowledge. These findings highlight the value of participatory approaches for embedding stakeholder expertise into disease control planning, leading to shared ownership of ASF preparedness strategies.

School personnel have historically exhibited universal practices, where assumptions of "one-size-fits-all" prevail. The limitations of this approach are evident when school personnel attempt to apply universal practices to students from underrepresented and historically marginalized populations. In this article, we describe the Participatory Culture-Specific Intervention Model (PCSIM; Nastasi & Hitchcock, 2016; Nastasi et al., 2004), a 10-phase process for developing culturally responsive practices. PCSIM uses an interdisciplinary approach to program development for social and cultural change, with an emphasis on participation and the intersection of culture and context. This article presents four examples of mental health prevention and intervention projects that used PCSIM in schools and communities to address issues of equity for this group, including urban African American students, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and other sexual and gender identities youth, and individuals with developmental disabilities. This article concludes with lessons learned and suggestions for practitioners and researchers when applying PCSIM to address issues of equity for these groups through collaborative program development, implementation, and evaluation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Management of infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the endemic situation in smallholder farming systems brings significant challenges. While spatially explicit agent-based models (ABMs) are useful to inform disease response decision-making, complementary methods are needed to more fully capture the influences of context on disease control and management, such as human behaviour and ecological factors which are of particular importance for endemic diseases. We describe the development of an integrated Participatory Modelling approach (PM) applied to the control of FMD within Nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia, wherein participatory epidemiology and causal loop diagrams (CLD) were used alongside an ABM of FMD transmission to inform recommendations and potential strategies for disease elimination. These techniques enabled greater focus on the impact of socio-economic and cultural factors for management and control of endemic FMD in Nusa Tenggara Barat. The PM framework facilitated integration and interaction of methodologies, where data collected using participatory epidemiology approaches to stakeholder engagement informed development of both the ABM and CLD. The CLD highlighted that cattle movements, as a major contributor of risk of FMD exposure and infection, were driven by the socioeconomic relationship between smallholder farmers and livestock collectors. Vaccination was also identified as critical for FMD control, with the CLD indicating this would require both effective vaccine delivery systems and farmer engagement and education, underpinned by partnership between provincial governments and animal health leadership. Adoption of PM in both epidemic and endemic animal disease management development allows contextual factors of 'how we can get things to happen' and 'what actions are feasible' to act as modifiers for quantitative recommendations of 'what can be done', promoting consensus and engagement with the many stakeholders required for effective disease control and management.

This systematic review analyzes the intersection of social marketing, social work, and health-related crisis communication in peer-reviewed literature from 2000 to 2025. Using the PRISMA 2020 framework, 94 studies were systematically identified in the Web of Science Core Collection and coded across three thematic pillars: (1) social marketing and behavior change communication; (2) social work and community-based service systems; and (3) health, pandemic, and crisis contexts. Results indicate that multichannel, culturally adapted social marketing strategies-especially those incorporating community participation-consistently improve public awareness, risk perception, and protective behaviors during health emergencies. Social work interventions, meanwhile, are vital for addressing structural inequities and supporting vulnerable populations through outreach and participatory models. However, a critical gap remains: Few studies employ a truly interdisciplinary approach that bridges social marketing and social work to strengthen equitable crisis communication. This review offers an empirically grounded synthesis, highlighting underexplored areas such as disability inclusion, long-term empowerment, and digital exclusion. The findings underscore the need for integrated, equity-focused strategies that leverage both behavioral science and social care. Practical implications extend to public health practitioners, social work professionals, and policymakers, particularly in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Numerous preventive measures for occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) have been evaluated, but their effectiveness varies, suggesting that contextual factors and corresponding implementation strategies are important. This scoping review aimed to identify preventive interventions for OCD and explore their implementation strategies and outcomes. We searched five databases (January 2000-May 2024) for studies on preventive interventions, scoping intervention content and implementation strategies. In total, 111 articles describing 79 interventions were included, which involved components of education, personal protective equipment, skin care, workplace adaptations and combinations. Most studies were conducted among healthcare workers, hairdressers or in mixed occupations. Implementation strategies targeted individual workers with educational sessions, individual advice or consults, organisations with participatory working groups, role models or communication tools, and facilitated clinical dermatological care. Implementation outcomes were reported for 11 programs. All reported appropriateness and 10 reported acceptability to be positive. Adoption, feasibility, fidelity (adherence), costs, penetration (reach)and sustainability of preventive intervention implementation were assessed in a limited number of programs. Overall, limited evidence precluded firm conclusions on implementation outcomes. To strengthen prevention, systematic evaluation of implementation outcomes is needed.

Community groups such as coalitions can create the conditions for whole-of-community change through advocacy, partnerships, pooling resources, and other approaches. Our objective was to describe how coalition committees with deep community expertise perceive the complex systems that influence health trends and report common dynamics across communities. Seven coalition committees (n = 97 individuals members) from across the United States (Greenville, SC; East Boston (a neighborhood in Boston), MA; Tucson, AZ; Milwaukee, WI; Worcester, MA; East Aldine (a neighborhood in Houston), TX; and Garfield Park (a neighborhood in Chicago), IL) participated in the Catalyzing Communities Initiative from 2018 to 2023. The Initiative employed Community-based System Dynamics, a participatory systems science modeling approach. Participants created causal loop diagrams (CLDs) of the systems that drive healthy child bodyweights and related health trends in their communities. We conducted a qualitative CLD content analysis and reported code frequency, common dynamics, and alignment with UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Nine common dynamics that drive health trends and disparities emerged from the CLDs: (1) intergenerational wealth or poverty; (2) struggling to meet basic needs; (3) time trade-offs; (4) stress, poor mental health, and trauma undermine wellness; (5) supply and demand of healthy foods in communities; (6) perceptions of safety influence health behaviors; (7) community engagement in policy and system change; (8) home food environment and cooking behaviors shape eating behaviors; and (9) norms and expectations related to health. The common dynamics aligned with the following SDGs: 1: No poverty, 2: Zero hunger, 3: Good health and well-being, 4: Quality education, 8: Decent work and economic growth, 10: Reduce inequalities, 11: Sustainable cities and communities, and 16: Peace, justice and strong communities. Finally, participants' involvement in community coalitions reflect SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals. Social determinants of health were salient to the coalition committees. Common dynamics can be used to build a comprehensive, shared understanding of complex systems that shape health trends and disparities, and facilitate coordinated action to address those systems. Common dynamics encompass many SDGs, reflecting shared experiences of multifaceted barriers to achieving more optimal health and wellbeing outcomes. Not applicable.

This study analyzes the correlations between strategic school management and pedagogical leadership as fundamental pillars for the promotion of educational quality in contemporary educational institutions. The general objective is to investigate institutional practices that favor the strengthening of democratic management and the improvement of teaching-learning processes from the perspective of school effectiveness. The methodological procedures adopted are based on an integrative and qualitative bibliographic review, grounded in real, indexed scientific productions published between the years twenty-twenty and twenty-twenty-five. The analysis of the evidence reveals that the manager's leadership transcends the administrative sphere, requiring direct engagement with teacher training and the monitoring of academic performance indicators. The results indicate that schools adopting distributed and participatory leadership models show higher levels of community engagement and better indices of basic education development. It is found that school management centered on pedagogical leadership acts as a catalyst for innovation, allowing the overcoming of structural challenges by strengthening the political-pedagogical project. It is concluded that the promotion of educational quality depends on the synergistic articulation between the operational efficiency of management and the capacity to lead change processes that value the subjectivity of school actors.

This study aims to analyze the implementation of participatory learning models in equality education at PKBM Melati, Enrekang Regency. The study focuses on the learning process, the roles of tutors and learners, and the factors influencing its implementation. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed, with data collected through interviews, observations, and documentation. The findings reveal that participatory learning has been partially implemented, particularly in the learning process through discussions, experience sharing, and contextual problem-solving activities. However, learner involvement in planning and evaluation stages remains limited, indicating that the participatory cycle has not been fully applied. Tutors have begun to act as facilitators, although their role is still partially dominant. Learners show increased engagement, but participation levels vary due to differences in confidence and learning readiness. Supporting factors include learner motivation, positive social interaction, and flexible learning environments, while inhibiting factors involve limited tutor competence, time constraints, and inadequate learning facilities. The study concludes that participatory learning has the potential to enhance engagement and empowerment, but requires more comprehensive implementation and institutional support to achieve optimal outcomes in nonformal education.

Introduction: The rapid growth of digital media in Indonesia has made access to information easier but has also increased the public’s vulnerability to hoaxes and misinformation, particularly in rural areas. This condition is evident in Molantadu Village, Tomilito District, North Gorontalo Regency, where many residents have fallen victim to online scams and false information. Objective: The purpose of this community service was to enhance the digital media literacy of Molantadu villagers, especially their ability to recognize, verify, and prevent the spread of hoaxes through social media platforms. Method: This public service activity was carried out by lecturers from the Islamic Communication and Broadcasting Study Program, Faculty of Ushuluddin and Da’wah, IAIN Sultan Amai Gorontalo, in collaboration with the Government of Molantadu Village. The program consisted of three main stages: preparation, implementation, and evaluation. It was conducted in three interactive training sessions over two days, involving 30 participants. Evaluation was conducted through observation, pre-test and post-test questionnaires, and reflective group discussions. Result: The results indicate a significant improvement in participants’ understanding of digital literacy, with an average increase of 47.7% across all measured aspects. Participants demonstrated enhanced skills in identifying hoaxes, verifying factual information, and refraining from sharing unverified content. Conclusion: This community service program successfully improved the digital literacy skills of Molantadu villagers. The findings suggest that a participatory training model emphasizing practical exercises and small-group discussions is effective in fostering critical awareness among rural communities toward digital information. This program is recommended for replication in other villages to strengthen community resilience against hoaxes and misinformation.

This study presents a comprehensive and systematic integrative review of Neighborhood-Level Energy Hubs (NLEHs) as pivotal enablers of sustainable and resilient urban energy systems. In response to accelerating climate pressures, rapid urbanization, and the decentralization of energy production, NLEHs are conceptualized as multi-carrier platforms that enable coordinated energy generation, storage, conversion, and exchange at the neighborhood scale. Utilizing a PRISMA-informed methodology to synthesize 125 core studies, the review systematically evaluates recent advances across five interconnected dimensions: conceptual foundations, system typologies, energy flow architectures, urban integration, and optimization paradigms. Unlike conventional reviews, this study explicitly bridges the critical gap between techno-economic optimization and socio-environmental priorities. A key novelty is the proposed mathematical integration of energy justice and Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) directly into optimization algorithms (e.g., MILP and MPC) as dynamic constraints and penalty terms. Particular emphasis is placed on participatory governance models, lifecycle sustainability metrics, and digitalization tools such as AI-driven energy management systems and urban digital twins. The analysis further reveals critical research gaps, highlighting a stark geographic dichotomy between high-tech, market-driven NLEHs in the Global North and resilience-oriented hybrid microgrids in the Global South, alongside the lack of adaptive regulatory frameworks. By proposing a unified Cyber–Physical–Social perspective, this study provides actionable insights for planners, policymakers, and researchers to support the development of scalable, inclusive, and context-sensitive NLEH implementations. Ultimately, the paper contributes to redefining neighborhood-scale energy systems as not only efficient and low-carbon infrastructures, but also as socially equitable, globally scalable, and institutionally adaptive components of future smart cities.

Purpose This study investigates how national policies, community-based initiatives, and socio-cultural dynamics interact to shape sustainable career ecosystems for NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth in Thailand. Addressing Sustainable Development Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth, it seeks to understand how structural, emotional, and cultural factors influence young people’s transitions from education to employment in an unequal and rapidly changing society. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative multi-site case study was conducted across three provinces, Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Samut Sakhon, representing diverse geographical and socio-economic contexts. The study drew on 30 semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions with NEET youth, educators, and community stakeholders. Data were analysed thematically to identify cross-cutting patterns and contextual variations. Findings Four interrelated themes emerged: (1) fragmentation between policy design and local implementation; (2) emotional disengagement shaped by shame and invisibility; (3) culturally embedded decision-making influenced by familial obligation and kreng jai; and (4) the anchoring role of local institutions, such as กศน. centres, temples, and NGOs in rebuilding youth confidence and belonging. These findings reframe NEET status from individual apathy to systemic exclusion. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on three provincial cases and qualitative insights; future research could expand to mixed-method or longitudinal designs. The findings advance the concept of “sustainable career ecosystems” by integrating emotional and cultural dimensions often overlooked in policy frameworks. Practical implications Policymakers should decentralize implementation, strengthen emotional support within career programs, and institutionalize partnerships with community-based and non-formal learning providers to reach marginalized youth effectively. Social implications This research highlights how systems of exclusion, such as bureaucratic barriers, cultural misalignment, and emotional invisibility impact marginalized youth. It emphasizes the need to recognize NEET youth not as deficient, but as navigating relational and structural complexity. Socially, the study calls for a more compassionate and participatory model of youth development, one that values care, inclusion, and dignity. Strengthening local career ecosystems has the potential to reduce inequality, empower rural youth, and promote social cohesion by re-rooting education and employment systems within culturally meaningful relationships. Originality/value This paper contributes a culturally grounded model of sustainable career ecosystems for NEET youth, demonstrating how relational and affective dimensions can inform inclusive and context-sensitive career development policies in emerging economies.

This article offers a theological-anthropological analysis of contemporary Eastern Orthodox interpretations of theosis, with particular attention to personhood and the ecclesial character of salvation. The methodological framework of the study is drawn from Aristotle Papanikolaou’s distinction between two major paradigms of deification: an energycentered, participatory model and a personalistic, interpersonal model. The first part examines approaches that emphasize participation in uncreated divine energies and the sacramental-liturgical mediation of salvation, as found in the works of Vladimir Lossky, Kallistos Ware, Paul Evdokimov, Panayiotis Nellas, and others. The second part analyzes personalistic interpretations of theosis articulated by Christos Yannaras, John Zizioulas, Dumitru Stăniloae, John Panteleimon Manoussakis, and David Bentley Hart, in which salvation is understood as a relational, ecclesial, and eschatological event. The article demonstrates that the tension between these paradigms arises from differing understandings of personhood, Eucharistic theology, and the role of the “other” in salvation. Its scholarly contribution lies in applying Papanikolaou’s critique to propose a more inclusive, ecclesially grounded, and ethically responsive understanding of theosis, relevant for interdenominational dialogue and the contemporary Ukrainian theological context