Territorial Communities Research Articles

Achieving land degradation neutrality: land-use planning and ecosystem approach

IntroductionThe research purpose is to scientifically substantiate an integrated approach to solving the problem of land degradation, based on the idea of land degradation neutrality (LDN), taking into account ecosystem services when planning land use to maximize the conservation of natural capital. The methodological basis of the research is the provisions and principles of the concepts of sustainable development, achieving LDN, and ecosystem services, as well as the research results revealing various aspects of land use, particularly their degradation.MethodsThe following research methods are used in the paper: dialectical – to determine the cause-and-effect conditions of land degradation; analysis – to highlight the current state of land use in Ukraine and the factors that have led to land degradation; synthesis – for global trends towards achieving LDN; deduction – to explore the possibility of introducing global experience in achieving LDN in Ukraine; structural-functional analysis – to substantiate the feasibility of introducing an ecosystem approach to land-use planning to achieve LDN.ResultsAs a result of the research, the current land degradation state in Ukraine has been analyzed, and ways of achieving LDN in land-use planning through the prism of an ecosystem approach have been substantiated. Based on statistical data, the current and potential levels of arability of the territory of Ukraine have been calculated by natural-climatic zones, and the areas of eroded arable lands in Ukraine have been determined by the erodibility factor (low-eroded, mediumeroded,and highly-eroded).DiscussionFor the first time, a structural-logical scheme has been developed for organizational-economic support for the effective use of degraded and low-productive agricultural lands in the context of implementing the idea of LDN, which is a tool for rational allocation and use of degraded lands. This scheme can serve as a basis for the development of land-use planning strategies for territorial communities, for institutions, and organizations competent in the field of land management.

CURRENT CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF LEGAL REGULATION OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION OF THE SOCIAL SPHERE IN THE TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES OF UKRAINE

The article defines that public administration is a system of activities of state authorities aimed at optimizing the use of resources to achieve the priority goals of social policy. It is emphasized that the social sphere covers a wide range of services that ensure the well-being of citizens, including health care, education, social protection and other critically important elements. The study of the problems of public management of the social sphere in territorial communities reveals a number of challenges, such as insufficient financial support, the absence of a clear legal framework, and a low level of public involvement in decision-making processes. Analysis of modern approaches to legal regulation in this area showed that effective management of social policy requires the integration of innovative methods, in particular digitalization of processes, which will contribute to the transparency and accountability of local self-government bodies. As a result of the research, it was found that the public management of the social sphere in the territorial communities of Ukraine is a complex, multifaceted process that requires a comprehensive analysis and a comprehensive approach to its improvement. The development of recommendations for improving management mechanisms should become a priority for researchers and practitioners in this important field. Effective management of the social sphere requires systematic control over the implementation of state policy. This involves not only an internal audit of the activities of local self-government bodies, but also mechanisms of public control that would allow residents to actively participate in the processes of evaluating the effectiveness of social programs. The study showed that the key factors in the effectiveness of public management of the social sphere in territorial communities are: adaptability of management mechanisms; integration of modern technologies; formation of partnership relations; personnel training and development; community involvement in decision-making processes, etc. Legal regulation of public management of the social sphere in territorial communities of Ukraine is conditioned by the need to create effective management mechanisms that meet modern challenges. Among the prospects for the development of legal regulation of public management of the social sphere in the territorial communities of Ukraine, the need for: improvement of the legal framework was emphasized; strengthening of financial autonomy; development of professional training; integration of modern technologies; community involvement in decision-making processes; focus on inclusiveness; monitoring and evaluation of efficiency; cooperation with international organizations; adaptation to changes in the socio-economic environment; increasing the level of trust in the authorities, etc. It is emphasized that the successful implementation of public policy in the social sphere depends on the effective interaction of all interested parties, which in turn will ensure sustainable development and increase the quality of life of the population.

Роль резильєнтного потенціалу громадських організацій у відновленні територіальних громад України

The relevance of the research on the resilient potential of public organizations in Ukraine is determined by the need to increase the regenerative capabilities of territorial communities within a limited time frame and with restricted resource suport. The purpose of the article is substantiating the resilient potential of public organizations as an effective tool for increasing the adaptive capacity and self-organization of public community, mitigating the destructive consequences and accelerating recovery of territorial communities during the Russo-Ukrainian war and in post-war period. The novelty of the article consists in identifying the impact of public organizations on the resilient recovery of territorial communities in the conditions of the Russo-Ukrainian war. The research was carried out using the systems approach method, techniques of abstraction and generalization, functional and comparative analysis, statistical methods and data analysis, graphic method. The influence of public organizations on the resilience of territorial communities was analyzed by means of correlation-regression analysis. Three indicators of the resilient potential of territorial communities of the country were selected according to the criterion of significance and the existence of a cause-and-effect relationship. Namely: profitability of local budgets per person, cash income of households, the size of informally employed population as a sign of the shadow economy. The main functions of public organizations in ensuring the resilience of territorial communities have been disclosed. It is substantiated that the most effective tools for the influence of public organizations on ensuring the resilience of communities in the conditions of the war and post-war period are active means (promotion of citizens’ mobility, formation of public opinion, public control) and segmental tools (influence on certain population groups, infrastructure objects, territories etc.) with a fixed effect (legal assistance to internally displaced persons, reconstruction of the destroyed property and healthcare facilities, improvement of epidemic living conditions, ensuring the operation of a humanitarian center, collection of necessary information).

Improvement of physical culture and sports in communities during the war and post-war recovery

The article is devoted to the topical topic of improving the field of physical culture and sports at the local level during Russia's war against Ukraine and during the post-war reconstruction. Research methods of the theoretical level (analysis, synthesis, as well as comparison), systematization and generalization of data from information sources, as well as surveys of physical education instructors of rural communities and directors of the State Educational Institutions, who made up the expert group, were used. A total of 57 specialists were interviewed (physical culture instructors of rural united territorial communities and directors of youth sports schools). Received responses that determine their preferences for a number of possible actions. A comparison of the advantages of the two groups of the indicated specialists was carried out. Based on the analysis of five comparisons of the responses of the specialists of VFST "Kolos" and the directors of the State University of Education, the following general conclusions can be drawn: specialists of VFST "Kolos" usually show a more strategic and analytical approach, they tend to support initiatives, but at the same time analyze risks and problems more deeply. Their answers reflect both a positive assessment and a more critical view of the complexities. The directors of the State University of Higher Education demonstrate a more pragmatic and cautious approach. They generally support initiatives, but with less confidence and focus on practical implementation in wartime. The lack of hesitation and the greater number of answers "Rather agree" indicate their awareness of difficulties and readiness for compromise solutions.

ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ ЖИТТЄЗДАТНОСТІ ТЕРИТОРІАЛЬНИХ ГРОМАД УКРАЇНИ В УМОВАХ ПОДОЛАННЯ ФІНАНСОВИХ ТА ІННОВАЦІЙНИХ ВИКЛИКІВ

Decentralization of power in Ukraine is one of the priority reforms of the modern state system, which has caused serious changes in the financial and innovation policy of territorial communities, and also acts as an institutional basis for the economic progress of territories, which requires an in-depth analysis of the financial capacity of territorial units and their innovative activity to identify potential and threats on the way to sustainable development. The purpose of the research is theoretical substantiation and development of management approaches to eliminate financial and innovative challenges of territorial units in conditions of decentralization of power, in particular in Transcarpathian region, as well as providing practical recommendations on strengthening local budgets and promoting innovative progress. The object of the research is the financial self-sufficiency and innovative activity of the territorial units of Ukraine, in particular the Transcarpathian region. The methods of the research used in the research are general scientific methods, in particular, historical, dialectical, comparative, phenomenological, systemic analysis and the method of generalization. The hypothesis of the research is that effective management of financial resources and purposeful development of innovative activity in territorial communities will contribute to stable economic growth in conditions of decentralization. The statement of basic materials. The decentralization of power in Ukraine has led to significant changes in the financial and innovation policy of territorial communities, providing greater autonomy in the management of local budgets and increasing responsibility for their effective use. In Transcarpathian region, the reform process took place more slowly due to the uneven distribution of resources and economic assets, which limited the even development of communities. Despite these difficulties, decentralization has created conditions for strengthening financial independence and stimulating innovation at the local level. During 2021-2022, a general increase in revenues to the budgets of territorial communities was observed, in particular due to the contributions of six districts of Transcarpathia, which confirms the positive impact of the reform on economic development. However, the war in Ukraine negatively affected the financial capacity of communities, creating new challenges that require innovative solutions and adaptation to ensure sustainable economic growth. The originality and practical significance of the research lies in the development of management mechanisms for overcoming financial and innovative challenges of territorial communities, in particular in the Transcarpathian region. Conclusions and perspectives of further research. Decentralization of power is a positive change for the financial and innovative development of territorial communities, as it has managed to significantly increase their self-sufficiency. Further scientific research should focus on a more detailed thorough analysis of the impact of decentralization on the financial capacity of territorial communities of the Transcarpathian region, as well as an assessment of the effectiveness of existing and potential innovative strategies at the local level.

Specific features of defining inheritance as escheated within civil law doctrine and legal enforcement practice

The author has studied the problem of escheated inheritance. The problematic aspect of this legal phenomenon is also stipulated by the lack of its legislative definition, disputes in regard to the legal nature of relations of escheated inheritance. The relevance of this problem is evidenced by the fact that it is appropriate to assume an increase in objects of escheated property in terms of the martial law and post-war reconstruction due to inability of lawful heirs to accept inheritance (death as a result of hostilities, leaving the country for permanent residence in other states, etc.), destruction and damage of property. Therefore, the registration procedure and usage of escheated property at the level of territorial communities may be revised in terms of the martial law. It has been noted in the paper that escheated inheritance cannot be considered as hereditary and legal definition by its legal nature, because: it is based on the obligation, but not on the right to accept inheritance; its purpose is to satisfy the public interest in maintaining the stability of property relations in society; it is legal succession. The author has proved that the construction of interest in the system of legal relations of escheated inheritance is complex and combines public (social) and economic (property) interests. Public (social) interest consists in preserving the stability of property relations in society. Economic (property) interest has a public and private orientation, in particular, it satisfies the interests of the territorial community, both an acquirer of the ownership right and a creditor regarding the satisfaction of an ancestor’s obligations at the expense of escheated property. At the same time, a public entity assumes the burden of the ancestor’s obligations sometimes not in own interests, but in order to satisfy the stability of property relations in society. The procedure of recognizing inheritance as escheated has the following stages: detection of escheated property, in particular from reports of neighbors, from the authority in charge of the residential stock; examination of discovered property, whereat a formal note is taken; collection of information regarding the status of escheated property; in case of establishing the fact of damage (destruction), the commission puts forward a proposal to terminate the ownership right to such an object; preparation of a claim to the court on defining inheritance as escheated and transfer of property to communal ownership; hearing the case according to the rules of a separate proceeding; adoption of a court judgement on transfering escheated inheritance to communal ownership; the decision of the local self-government agency’s session on the acquisition of the right of communal ownership of escheated property; state registration of property for the relevant territorial community; maintenance and use of escheated property.

Southern Bug River: water security and climate changes perspectives for post-war city of Mykolaiv, Ukraine

This article focuses on water security in Mykolaiv, a city of 0.5 million inhabitants in southern Ukraine, in the situation of scarcity of usable water resources caused by climate change and military operations. This problem arose after the Dnipro-Mykolaiv water pipeline was destroyed in April 2022 as a result of military operations and the supply of drinking water to the city was cut off. To ensure that the city’s population has constant access to sufficient water of acceptable quality, a search for alternative water sources and a climate risk assessment were carried out for the new municipal water supply system from the Southern Bug River. The possible change in flow and its intra-annual distribution under the influence of climate change was modeled using the WaterGAP2 hydrological model and climate projections under the SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-P8.5 scenarios. It was found that under the SSP1-2.6 scenario, the reduction in river flow will be insignificant (up to a maximum of 14% in the far future) and there will be no restrictions on the city’s water supply from this section of the river in the near (2021-2050) and far (2051-2080) period. The maximum water withdrawal for municipal water supply and the minimum environmental flow will reach their maximum value only in August (56% of the projected flow), which is not critical. Under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, in the long-term perspective of 2051-2080, the largest decrease in runoff will occur from May to October, and the water withdrawal will increase to 40-79% of the projected flow. The use of the research results not only in water management, but also in municipal administration, and their dissemination in territorial communities will contribute to the successful adaptation of socio-economic and environmental processes in the region and can bring successful benefits not only to the economy, but also to communities.

Деформації інституту соціального діалогу в Україні як чинник суспільної десолідаризації

It is shown that the effect of solidarity significantly enhances the mobilization potential of society, being applied at all levels of social organization, including the family, territorial community, and the business environment. The authors emphasize that the new social reality in Ukraine, which is being formed in the context of a full-scale Russian invasion, as well as the risk of loss of state integrity and statehood as such, determines the need to lay the basic principles of solidarity based on the coherence of actions of all subjects of social organization in the basis of the ideology of national state-building. The authors reveal the social phenomenon of solidarization as a result of reaching joint agreements and making consolidated decisions on the formation and implementation of the State socio-economic policy, which allowed establishing its close connection with the process of social dialogue. The relevance of the societal dimension of the functioning of the national system of tripartite social partnership in the context of military shocks is substantiated. Within the framework of institutional and comparative methodology, the modern role of tripartite social partnership and the impact of the institution of social dialogue in Ukraine on the processes of its social solidarity in the (pre)war period are revealed. It is proved that social dialogue plays a leading role in addressing issues related to achieving the criteria of decent work, ensuring social guarantees, promoting international labour standards, regulating non-standard forms of employment, ensuring equality in the field of labour, as well as digital and "green" transitions. It is established that the imbalance of interests of the parties to social dialogue in Ukraine is characterized by insufficient protection and lack of guarantees of decent work for employees, on the one hand, and the unmet needs of Ukrainian business for qualified and highly productive labour, on the other. It is emphasized that one of the consequences of this imbalance is the desolidating phenomenon of labour poverty. The authors identify and statistically substantiate the main deformations of the institution of social dialogue in Ukraine, which were formed in the pre-war period. On the basis of specific examples from the period of martial law in Ukraine, the contribution to social solidarity of domestic employers' associations and trade unions is shown. Considering social dialogue as an institutional component of the social contract, the article establishes that the deformed system of social dialogue in Ukraine causes the erosion of its social contract – the framework for solidarity of citizens. It is shown that maintaining a high level of solidarity among the population of Ukraine is important in the context of its official status as an EU candidate country in June 2022. The article summarizes recommendations for solving the problems of social dialogue in Ukraine in the post-war period of reconstructive recovery of the Ukrainian economy, based on modern international approaches and practices. The authors propose relevant directions for the development of tripartite social partnership, taking into account current trends in the digitalization of the economy and society, as well as the spread of new non-standard forms of employment, including platform employment.

Clinical and statistical analysis of the course of preterm birth based on the materials of communal enterprise «Regional Perinatal Center of the Rivne Regional Council» in 2013–2023 years

One of the priority tasks of modern medical science and practice is the preservation of reproductive health and the gene pool of the nation. It is especially difficult to perform this task during the russian war in Ukraine, which has been going on for more than ten years. According to sociologists, the outcomes of a low birth rate for the country will be catastrophic precisely because of the war.One of the reasons for the decline in the quality of health in the future is the increase in the specific weight of premature births, the frequency of which, according to the World Health Organization, has increased in Ukraine already after six months of full-scale war.The objective: to conduct an analysis of the course of premature births in the conditions of war based on the materials of the communal enterprise (CE) “Regional Perinatal Center of the Rivne Regional Council” for 2013–2023.Materials and methods. A retrospective clinical and statistical analysis of 2,742 histories of pregnancy and childbirth of women who were in labor between 22/0–36/6 weeks of gestation in obstetric departments of the communal enterprise “Regional Perinatal Center of the Rivne Regional Council” in 2013–2023 was carried out.Results. According to CE “Regional Perinatal Center of the Rivne Regional Council”, a progressive decrease in the total number of births by 41.9% was observed in the Rivne Region from 2013 to 2023. At the same time, in the general population of women giving birth, the specific rate of premature births did not have a tendency to increase.In the structure of preterm births, early and late preterm births prevailed. The specific gravity of very early preterm births, which are the most unfavorable for perinatal outcomes, did not have a sustained upward trend. At the same time, the frequency of too early premature births among residents of districts and territorial communities of the Rivne region has significantly increased (2013 – 19 (79.2%) cases, 2023 – 17 (100.0%) cases; p<0.05).Every second premature birth occurred within the first day of hospitalization of a pregnant woman, while the specific rate of such too early premature births increased by 3.4 times during the analyzed period, which significantly worsens the chances of survival of newborns and is the reason for their high perinatal morbidity.The number of premature births in pregnant women with multiple pregnancies remains stable. Every third preterm birth took place on the background of early premature rupture of the fetal membranes, while a significant increase in the frequency of this complication was found in women who gave birth at 22/0–27/6 weeks of pregnancy.Traditionally, the specific rate (55.7–57.5%) of surgical delivery by caesarean section of pregnant women and mothers with premature births remains high, which contributed to a reliable reduction of the perinatal mortality rate of premature babies by 13.7% due to the reduction of antenatal losses. Indicators of early neonatal death were formed at the expense of newborns from too early and early premature births in the same ratio.Conclusions. According to thedata of CE “Regional Perinatal Center of the Rivne Regional Council”, there was a progressive decrease in the birth rate in the Rivne Region with a simultaneous stabilization of the number of premature births. The widespread use of a holistic approach during the medical care of pregnant women and the introduction of modern methods of care for premature newborns ensured a significant decrease in the rate of perinatal death of premature infants due to the reduction of antenatal losses.

АВТОМАТИЗАЦІЯ ЗБОРУ ТА АНАЛІЗУ ЗВІТНОСТІ ШКІЛ ІЗ ВИКОРИСТАННЯ КОШТІВ ДЕРЖАВНИХ ОСВІТНІХ СУБВЕНЦІЙ

The availability of reliable educational statistical, administrative, and financial information is a prerequisite for the development of effective educational policy. The importance of the reliability of educational management information has only increased since Russian military invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In these circumstances, a detailed analysis of the use of state educational subventions as the main budgetary instrument for financing education is needed. Increased transparency and automation of information gathering can be achieved by introducing an information system for collecting and analyzing school reports on the use of state educational subventions. Currently, such generalized information is collected by the State Treasury Service of Ukraine (STSU) starting from the level of the territorial community, but it is not available to educational managers. The purpose of this study is to formulate a methodology for developing information and analytical tools for automated collection and analysis of financial statements of general secondary education institutions using state educational subventions in order to increase transparency and efficiency of budget funds, create preconditions for the formation of reliable data, on the basis of which it will be possible to make informed financial and organisational decisions, evaluate their effectiveness at all levels of educational management. The article analyzes the existing reporting forms submitted by the general secondary education institutions (GSEI), and the regulatory framework for their submission. Improving the reliability and quality of the collected financial data can be achieved by developing and implementing an information subsystem (module) for automated gathering and analysis of this information from the level of GSEIs in the environment of the software and hardware complex "Automated Information Complex of Educational Management", which is already used by education managers. The requirements for such a module and its interaction with the already available information in the SHC AICOM and other state information systems are substantiated. It is shown that the optimal way is to organize automated collection of financial information from the level of general secondary schools. The implementation of the module will improve the information support of educational and financial managers, and will allow for a comprehensive solution to the issues of local education development.

PECULIARITIES OF INFORMATION AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT IN DECISION-MAKING WITHIN GOVERNMENT BODIES

The modern world is increasingly entering the era of an information society, where the role of information becomes ever more significant. Information is accumulating rapidly and in large volumes, so quickly that people struggle to process and thoroughly comprehend the incoming information flow, leading to an overall reduction in usable information. In order to process relevant data effectively in the context of professional or other activities today, it is no longer sufficient to rely solely on traditional administrative experience to make informed management decisions. It is essential to incorporate scientific knowledge, comprehensive awareness, analytical and forecasting skills, as well as socio-political responsibilities, with an appropriate recognition of these processes. This is particularly relevant for public administration bodies—both central and regional levels of executive state power—and increasingly for local government authorities, which are gaining more authority as part of the decentralization process. In Ukraine, in particular, the ideology and framework for interaction between the state and society are changing, with an increased use of decentralization mechanisms that delegate specific functions and powers from state bodies (to varying degrees) to the level of territorial communities and even to civil society. The purpose of this article is to define the peculiarities of information and analytical support in the decision-making process within government bodies. The article systematizes approaches to information and analytical support in public administration. It identifies the subjects and objects of the information and analytical support system in state management processes and specifies the goals of such support. It justifies the need to highlight the key elements of the information and analytical support system for public administration. The article also outlines the principles guiding information and analytical activities conducted by government and local authorities. Levels of information and analytical work are established, taking into account the temporal dimension. Furthermore, the article identifies issues with information and analytical support in government bodies in Ukraine and suggests ways to address these challenges.

Сучасний радіологічний стан орних угідь Народицької об'єднаної територіальної громади

Current radiological conditions and the possibility of returning to economic use of radionuclide-contaminated agricultural lands of the Narodychi United Territorial Community of the Korosten District of the Zhytomyr Region were assessed. The lands had been withdrawn from use in accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Regime of the Territory Exposed to Radioactive Contamination as a Result of the Chornobyl Disaster" (Law) and marked in the State Land Cadastre of Ukraine as "radioactively contaminated land". It is shown that in accordance with the requirements of the Law on soil contamination density with 137Cs, 90Sr, 238-240Pu the lands currently do not belong to the zone of unconditional (mandatory) resettlement and even the zone of guaranteed voluntary resettlement and have no legal grounds for restrictions on their use. Predictive assessment of contamination of crops with 137Cs and 90Sr growing on the considered fields was performed. The assessments show which from the fields can be used to produce without countermeasure products below the permissible levels.

USING THE POTENTIAL OF TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES IN THE FORMATION OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCES OF FUTURE CULTUROLOGISTS

The article analyzes the place and role of territorial communities in the system of professional training of culturologists. It has been determined that among the qualifications of a master of cultural studies, the national standard for extensive knowledge of this specialty means the ability to professionally diagnose, predict, project and model the cultural development of different cultural regions, physical and visual culture. It is described how the preparation of such specialist, who are present in the socio-cultural field of the region, has become one of the ambushes of the educational and professional programs «Culturology» of the first (bachelor’s) and the other (master’s) who is jealous of the great knowledge of the Poltava National Pedagogical University named after V. G. Korolenko. It is characterized how this process will ensure that stakeholders from various territorial communities are recruited before the process of developing, negotiating, changing and revising new programs like these, and also in cooperation with robot sellers in localities and villages Poltava region and regional areas near the area of organization of practice, ensuring dual coverage of cultural scientists, as well as through obtaining awareness of socio-cultural projects, such as carrying out foundations and establishing culture, community organizations and local activities. It is proved that the mutual work from the preparation of a cultural scientist, who is not without a wide range of current cultural knowledge, and also to create an organization (often funerary popularization), to the last (analytical) practical), as well as enabling activities in the sphere of culture and the department of foreign affairs culturology of Poltava Pedagogical University from hours of sleep. The wide base of stakeholders, which were obtained up to this point, is associated with the sphere of practice of such a specialist, which nurtures the foundations of light, and the establishment of culture, as well as the cultural and creative industries. In 2020, the adoption of a new standard for the specialty 034 Culturology did not deprive the class of subjects that formulate the necessary skills of a cultural scientist, and this meant the norm of preparation of the specialist, which includes the creation of the organization and the promotion of communication with government authorities, scientific and research institutions, information and analytical services, methods of mass information and cultural nutrition. This led to the establishment of close collaboration with stakeholders and territorial communities to train students to work in localities and villages in the region.

ІНСТРУМЕНТИ СТИМУЛЮВАННЯ МІСЦЕВОГО ЕКОНОМІЧНОГО РОЗВИТКУ УКРАЇНИ В УМОВАХ НЕСТАБІЛЬНОСТІ

The research emphasizes the objectively existing need, as well as the problems of ensuring local economic development in Ukraine, in particular under conditions of critically acute economic and social instability caused by a full-scale war and its consequences. The purpose of the study is to determine the scientific justification of the tools for stimulating and ensuring the local economic development of Ukraine under the instability. It is shown that in the conditions of a full-scale war, the regional socio-economic systems of Ukraine faced such challenges as large-scale external and internal migrations of the population, deepening of depopulation problems, reduction of employment and the number of jobs due to the cessation of activities or relocation of enterprises, the growth of precarization in the labor market and social and labor insecurity of vulnerable categories of the population, the development of sectoral and structural imbalances and the strengthening of personnel problems in the labor markets. Accordingly, the latest challenges have become the main causes of destabilization of the spatial development of Ukraine's economy. The results of the analysis made it possible to identify, firstly, the significant typicality of existing problems, secondly, the significant resource limitations of local self-government bodies, thirdly, the need to involve innovative solutions, fourthly, the relevance of developing practices of intermunicipal socio-economic cooperation and integration of efforts in this way, fifthly, the need for a systemic and strategic approach, when based on visions, strategies and development programs, investment passports of territorial communities, a single coordinated regional master plan of industry specialization and development will be formed. The basic principles of two regional policy strategies in terms of stimulating local economic development are substantiated: (1) stabilization, (2) proactive. The strategic goal of each of these approaches is indicated, as well as a set of tools is defined, the implementation of which allows to activate the processes of local economic development in Ukraine under current conditions of instability.

Перспективи розвитку транскордонного співробітництва на рівні місцевого самоврядування в Україні

The irreversible course of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union is vividly demonstrated every day in the media by the unwavering support of our country by international partners and organisations, as well as by the top officials of foreign states. The key task is to adapt the acquis communautaire into the national legislation of Ukraine. All reforms are taking place in parallel with the Ukrainian government’s accession negotiations, starting with the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in 2014. An integral attribute of EU accession is the implementation of decentralisation reforms, including the development of cross-border cooperation of territorial communities. This is an important tool for the development of regions, cities and territorial communities, especially those bordering on neighbouring countries or having partnerships with territorial partners in other countries. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU countries have virtually unanimously expressed political support for our country. The EU candidate status granted to Ukraine allows us to create the best conditions for the development of cross-border cooperation. Regardless of the duration of Ukraine’s accession process, the prospect of Ukraine’s membership in the EU has become a political reality and will sooner or later mean its integration into the EU single market and the Schengen area. Cross-border cooperation of subnational actors should be seen as a tool for territorial development of regions and communities, which ultimately benefits the whole country and should be in the public interest. State support for the development of cross-border cooperation at the regional and local level should be understood as a necessary investment that brings mutual benefits to all its partners. They will be able to use the opportunities offered by EU programmes for cross-border cooperation through various funding projects. In addition, such cooperation is of public interest to every European country. The state is obliged to be interested in this and provide opportunities to develop such cooperation. Therefore, in June 2024, the Law of Ukraine ‘On International Territorial Cooperation of Ukraine’ was recently adopted, which addresses a number of shortcomings and problems of local government functioning within the framework of international cooperation between territorial communities and regions of foreign countries.

Regions of Italy in Context of Italian-Chinese Relations in 21st Century

This study examines the development of transregional relations between the regions of Italy and those of China, including the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau. It highlights the interplay between centrifugal and centripetal tendencies within the framework of Italy’s ‘center — regions’ relationship system. The analysis provides insights into the normative foundations of international and foreign policy activities of Italy’s territorial communities, grounded in the national Constitution and relevant legislation. The findings demonstrate that Italian regions possess very limited capabilities for independent foreign and economic policy initiatives, a restriction stemming from the Italian Constitution, which permits regional cooperation only in the realms of economy and culture. In contrast, among the regions of China, only Hong Kong and Macau exhibit the capacity for autonomous external activities. Furthermore, it is revealed that Chinese migrants in Italy play a significant role in fostering Italian-Chinese interregional ties, maintaining connections with their homeland. The study concludes that Italian regions are notably less active internationally compared to regions in other EU countries.

Peculiarities of Tourism Indtry Management in Territorial Communities of Zhytomyr Region

Today, the tourism industry not only plays a key role at the national level, but also has a significant impact on local economic development. The existence of dedicated tourism units in local governments allows for more efficient planning and resource allocation, avoiding potential obstacles that may arise when tourism is subordinated to other departments. The article shows that out of 66 territorial communities, 9 do not have a department responsible for developing proposals and measures for tourism development. Most of them are organized under the name of the Department of Education, Youth, Sport, Culture, and Tourism. This integrated approach, although covering different aspects of community life, strongly influences the allocation of resources, as there is a tendency to prioritize cultural initiatives over specific tourism development. This raises the question of whether this integration is the most effective way of stimulating growth in the tourism sector. The analysis of long-term community development strategies showed that 44 UTCs have a programme or a draft programme, and a further 9 have adopted tourism development programmes with an action plan. The successful development of tourism in a territorial community depends on both its resources and the status of its centre, which may be a village, town, or city. Finally, it is important to differentiate responsibility for tourism development, as the potential for tourism initiatives varies according to the size of the settlement. Accordingly, we have classified the territorial municipalities, resulting in the following distribution: the urban type (M) includes 12 municipalities with subtypes M1, M2, M3, M4, which were identified based on their regional or district importance. The settlement type (S) includes 22 municipalities with subtypes S1, S2, S3, in which the centres did not perform rayon functions before the decentralization reform. The rural municipality type (R) includes 32 municipalities and has 2 subtypes: R1, R2. Thus, in order to ensure sustainable growth and success in tourism, the authorities need to consider many factors for effective management.

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN INTEGRAL METHOD FOR ASSESSING THE LEVEL OF PROVISION OF GEOSPATIAL DEVELOPMENT OF TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES

The study confirms the relevance and necessity of developing and implementing an integral method for assessing the level of provision of geospatial development of territorial communities. The research achieves the goal of developing and implementing an integral method for assessing the level of provision of geospatial development of territorial communities. It solves the following tasks: building a multi-level system of indicators for evaluating the level of provision of geospatial development of territorial communities; defining areas of developing and implementing an integral method for estimating the level of provision of geospatial development of territorial communities; determining the peculiarities of the application of the integral method for assessing the level of provision of geospatial development of territorial communities. An integral method for assessing the level of provision of geospatial development of territorial communities has been improved based on the application of analytical and expert methods, mathematical models, and a multi-level system of indicators, including functional, spatial, urban planning, environmental, regulatory, security, investment, stakeholder, infrastructural, social, and innovative signs and characteristics, which made it possible to form a quantitative basis for forecasting changes in the integral factor and decision-making in the field of ensuring the geospatial development of territorial communities. An improved multi-level system of indicators for assessing the level of provision of geospatial development of territorial communities, which includes local, systemic, group, and integral levels and such indicators as functional, spatial, urban planning, ecological, regulatory, security, investment, stakeholder, infrastructural, social, and innovative, that make it possible to take into account the signs, characteristics, and peculiarities of the functioning of territorial communities and regional development for developing and implementing an integral evaluation method. Keywords: geospatial development, territorial communities, land management, geographic information systems, land use, integral indicator.

The role of national and international standardization activities in the process of post-war reconstruction of Ukraine

The article analyzes the role of national and international norm-project activities in the process of post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. It is proved that in the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war, which is of an aggressive nature on the part of the aggressor, great troubles and destruction have been caused to our people and their state, which have manifested themselves in numerous human casualties, disintegration and destruction of the basic everyday and critical infrastructure of territorial communities, destruction and the actual devastation of large territories, which makes it virtually impossible for a person to exist and function in the relevant territory, limits his opportunities to organize his stable and predictable life cycle, as well as to satisfy existential needs, efforts, and interests. However, the war itself objectifies and actualizes the issue of the post-war restoration of the state and its TG, and this, in turn, puts on the agenda the issues of rule-making by the public authorities of the state and subjects of international relations, including member states of the international community and their associative and structural units - international intergovernmental and intergovernmental organizations, including, first of all, the important stage of norm-making - norm-project activity. It is argued that norm-projecting activity at the national and international levels in the process of post-war recovery of Ukraine plays an important methodological and praxeological significance, because the principles of post-war recovery of Ukraine and its TG: a) quite clearly, clearly, unambiguously reflect and determine the fundamental directions, forms and guidelines of norm-projecting activity public authorities of the state; b) even more, they are aimed at the unambiguous formation and formulation of the rights and obligations of the subjects of social relations that will arise in the process of post-war recovery; c) must be adequately taken into account and reflected in the relevant standard-setting activity of public state authorities, as well as, and this is especially important, in the standard-setting of local self-government bodies; d) they form the foundations of state legal and municipal legal policy in the field of post-war reconstruction. At the same time, the lion’s share of the above principles of the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and its TG has a significant impact on the international level - their practical implementation cannot be implemented without significant financial assistance from foreign partners. And this, in turn, actualizes and contextualizes the normative-drafting activity of public authorities of Ukraine (including local self-government bodies) in the field of international contract law, including normative-drafting work in the field of international inter-municipal cooperation, as well as general international cooperation.

Federal fractals: review of Stephen Tierney, The Federal Contract

Stephen Tierney’s new book presents an exciting new theory of federal constitutionalism. His core argument is that each federal constitution is founded on a ‘federal contract’, which is an agreement among a plurality of territorial communities to form a federal political community while retaining their distinct constitutional identity as constituent states. This offers an alternative to the ‘social contact’ of liberal political theory in which the isolated individual is the sole basic unit of the constitutional order. The explanatory power of Tierney’s thesis is impressive. He shows how the idea of the federal contract can be manifested in many varied forms but in a manner that recognises the constitutional status and autonomy of the constituent states, formed into an association under which they agree to act cooperatively with each other and with the federation as a whole, under a mutual commitment of reciprocity that underwrites inter-governmental cooperation and solidarity, while also maintaining inter-governmental distinctiveness and autonomy. Under the auspices of this simple and elegant idea, Tierney offers an account of federal constitutionalism that resembles the fractal patterns of mathematical geometry insofar as each federal system reflects a particular federating logic that drives its initial creation and ongoing evolution. This opens up a promising area of further research involving an ever-closer examination of federal systems to see whether the fractal-like patterns he has identified continue to be apparent at progressively higher levels of resolution.