THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SOCIAL INITIATIVES IN UNITED TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES

Abstract

The article provides an analysis of the theoretical foundations for the implementation of social initiatives in the activities of united territorial communities in Ukraine. The essence of social initiative is revealed as a multifaceted phenomenon at the intersection of sociology, economics, psychology, and public administration. It is proved that under the conditions of martial law, social initiatives have transformed from spontaneous activity into a systemic tool for ensuring the resilience of territories. The study substantiates the transition from vertical bureaucratic procedures to horizontal network connections, where residents become active subjects in the co-creation of public goods. The paper presents a typology of social initiatives by functional content (social protection, educational and cultural, environmental, youth and volunteer) and the scale of their implementation (local, inter-community, regional). It is determined that the structure of a social initiative is based on the unity of value-motivational, organizational-legal, and resource components. The stages of initiative implementation are outlined, and institutional barriers hindering their development in the current legal field of Ukraine are identified. It is argued that the transition to updated management principles – community autonomy, crosssectoral interaction, and the formation of institutional stability – allows considering social initiatives as one of the key factors of national security at the local level. The study emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to understanding social initiatives. Their role is substantiated as a mechanism of internal development that allows communities to compensate for the resource deficit by mobilizing their own potential and volunteering. The application of the subject-action approach is justified, according to which the involvement of residents in solving local problems serves as an effective means of overcoming social helplessness.