SOCIAL SERVICES FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS OF THE POPULATION IN TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES OF UKRAINE

Abstract

Ukraine is at the stage of transition to decentralized system of social services for vulnerable groups of population, which should increase the activity of territorial communities in determining the need for these services on the ground, effective organization of their provision and planning, quality monitoring. Based on the decentralization of management, the necessary preconditions have been created to bring the social services system in line with European standards. The advantage of this system is the expansion of powers and capacities of local governments in providing social services for the benefit of communities, strengthening their preventive nature and targeted use of local budgets in conditions of increasing economic difficulties, social inequality and poverty in the country due to aggravated epidemiological situation and consequences of the armed conflict in the east of the country. The way to changes in the organization of the system of social services is marked by problems of their digitalization, infrastructure and staffing of social services agencies, increasing inter-community differences in resources for funding these services. Local authorities have not yet gained experience in shaping policy priorities in this area, and members of local communities lack the experience in communicating with government, business and science representatives. Currently, a wide range of social problems is concentrated in rural communities, where the majority of social assistance recipients live. The establishment of comprehensive institutions for the provision of various social services on the basis of existing social infrastructure, the use of grant support, subsidies, full or partial reimbursement of services or taxes will accelerate the development of this system at the local level. The success of the formation of a decentralized system of social services for vulnerable groups of population can be achieved only with fruitful cooperation between actors involved in solving social problems at the level of local communities.