Palatna D. Mobilization of communities for the development of social services in the conditions of decentralization

The paper presents the results of the study of the process of mobilizing territorial communities for the development of social services within the framework of decentralization, identifying the main conditions that contribute to community mobilization. The research is contextualized within extraordinary situations, particularly the state of war in Ukraine. The scientific novelty of the obtained results lies in: − The first development and testing of a model for mobilizing territorial communities for the development of social services under decentralization, which includes a series of interconnected components: assessing the community situation; forming community identity; collecting necessary information about community resources, opportunities, and potential; formulating assumptions and hypotheses regarding effective strategies and action plans for community mobilization; implementing strategies and action plans, as well as evaluating their effectiveness and making adjustments if necessary; these components serve as criteria for assessing the readiness of a territorial community for mobilization; the specificity of community mobilization in emergency situations (such as military invasion) is characterized. − Clarifying, systematizing, and supplementing the definition of a territorial community as an integrated social system in which various elements and subsystems interact with each other and affect its development, as well as community mobilization as a process of uniting community efforts to implement desired social changes through defining community identity, ensuring population participation, and developing community potential. − Deepening and expanding the understanding of community mobilization strategies based on a strengths-based approach, namely: community participation; collective empowerment; community development based on resources; building community resilience; describing the possibilities of applying community mobilization strategies in the context of decentralization in Ukraine and in emergency situations. − Further development includes approaches to organizing work with the community for more effective provision of social services and solving social problems in territorial communities.