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Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore elites' prevalence in the process of participatory budgeting (PB) in a Ukrainian municipality. Design/methodology/approach: The paper draws on the elite control and capture literature to examine the occurrence of unintended consequences resulting from the process of PB. Data for this case study are derived from document analysis and semi-structured interviews. Findings: This study demonstrates how the involvement of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) promoted PB in a Ukrainian municipality. In the process of orienting politicians and administrators to PB, its normative benefits tend to be prioritised, whilst very little attention has been paid to making inhabitants aware of their role in the process of participatory decision-making. Although PB is intended to propagate good governance and accountability, it has in fact turned out to be a means of promoting corruption and furthering the personal interests of rent-seeking actors. Practical implications: The paper demonstrates how elites can capture and control PB in the context of emerging economies, thereby preventing its propagated benefits of ensuring equality, justice and emancipation in local communities from being realised. Originality/value: Exploring PB in Ukraine, the authors urge that caution should be exercised with regard to the wholesale adoption of externally/NGO-propagated ideas. Each emerging economy context is distinct, and an appreciation of this uniqueness is key to the success of PB reforms in different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sprawy Miedzynarodowe / International Affairs is the property of Instytut Studiow Politycznych PAN and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore how conflict-affected communities in Ukraine (the Lugansk region) can develop sustainable mental health services in decentralised settings. The main interest focuses on community stakeholders' perception of their problems and solutions that communities can create to achieve better mental health coverage. Design/methodology/approach: A series of roundtables (RTs) (4 RTs, 62 participants overall), accompanied by interactive brainstorming techniques, were conducted with communities' representatives/stakeholders from the East of Ukraine (Lugansk region, a government-controlled area) during the year 2021. Participants (health, mental health, social care workers and administration representatives) were provided with the opportunity to discuss mental health services' development challenges and create affordable solutions for their communities. Results of discussions were submitted to qualitative analysis and offered for review by participants. Findings: Decentralisation in Ukraine led to allocating funds alongside responsibilities for developing the services to communities. Most of the communities appear not to be ready to acknowledge the role of mental health services, entirely relying on the existing weak psychiatric hospital-based system. Awareness-raising interactive capacity-building activities for the community leaders and decision-makers effectively promote community-based mental health services development. Five clusters of challenges were identified: leadership, coordination and collaboration problems; infrastructure, physical accessibility and financial problems; mental health and primary health-care workforce shortage and lack of competencies; low awareness of mental health and available services and high stigma; war, crises and pandemic-related problems. Communities stakeholders foresaw seven domains of action: increasing the role of communities and service users in the initiatives of governmental bodies; establishing in the communities local coordination/working groups dedicated to mental health service development; developing the community-based spaces (hubs) for integrated services provision; embedding the mental health services in the existing services (social, administrative and health care); mental health advocacy and lobbying led by local leaders and service users; increasing capacity of communities in financial management, fundraising; developing services by combining efforts and budgets of neighbouring communities. Research limitations/implications: The study has potential limitations. Participants of the roundtables were mostly appointed by local authorities, so some of them didn't have a motivation for mental health services development. Service users were involved only from the facilitators' side, not from the side of communities; therefore, it was impossible to include their view of problems and solutions. Obtained data were limited to the opinion of local professionals, administration workers and other local stakeholders. The human rights aspect was not clearly articulated in the tasks of the roundtables. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, the paper is original in terms of its topic (connecting decentralisation and local stakeholders' engagement for understanding the challenges of mental health services development) and research strategy (engagement of Ukrainian communities, qualitative analysis of the discussion results and applying the best practices and international recommendations to the local context). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of this paper is threefold: first, it accounts for the problem of Ukraine's forced internal displacement, following the Russian occupation of the Crimea and Donbas regions in 2014; second, this study applies a number of quantitative research methods to provide new insights into the way that individual and destination characteristics of the internally displaced people (IDPs) impact upon their destination preferences; finally, it draws four key policy lessons for dealing with today's worst humanitarian catastrophe in Europe since 1945. These lessons focus on the individual characteristics of forced migrants for understanding displacement patterns; and the need for full restoration of legitimate democratic government at home as the necessary condition for return. They also highlight that in the extraordinary circumstances of large-scale warfare, life-saving action takes precedence over any other motivations; and the host communities' perceived sympathy towards the forced migrants' home nation ultimately determines the choice of settlement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Law of Ukraine / Pravo Ukraini is the property of Editorial Board of Journal "Law of Ukraine" and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The North Atlantic Alliance's cooperation with Ukraine allows the Treaty to redefine the basic principles on which it exists and operates. This paper traces the dynamics of NATO's relations with the former Soviet republic, covering the relations since their emergence after the collapse of the USSR. The main method used is content analysis, reviewing numerous documents that address both the original objectives that were set with NATO's founding as well as the organization's transition and its adaptation to contemporary challenges. This paper highlights the importance of Ukraine in the expansion of NATO as a community of values – a community that continues to grow and encompasses not only Eastern Europe. Since Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, the Pact has been deepening its cooperation with Ukraine while at the same time expanding to include the northern European states of Sweden and Finland, the message of the Alliance being that it is precisely due to the cooperation with Ukraine that NATO is ready to develop its potential for expansion including in its borders even the successor states of the Soviet Union. Through its relationship with Ukraine, NATO is also proving to be the most effective and robust link between Europe and North America, which share common interests and values in developing their political and strategic positions. The conclusion drawn is that despite the requests and the increased cooperation, a conservative forecast should be made regarding the possibility of Ukraine joining the North Atlantic Alliance as a full member. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the problems of development of associations of territorial communities in the tourism direction of economic development are considered. The object of research is the improvement of territorial communities on the example of Ukraine. One of the most problematic places is the lack of funds for the development of existing large tourist complexes and the creation of new ones. The study uses the idea that tourism development has a direct stimulating effect on the development of a number of important economic sectors. The use of a mathematical apparatus is also considered, which allows to analyze the main factors influencing the development of the tourism industry of territorial communities. A comprehensive solution of economic, social and environmental issues of sustainable tourism development is impossible without the development of mathematical models and supporting tools that allow predicting the main indicators of sustainable tourism development. The paper considers PLS-PM modeling using such internal consistency criteria as Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, Dillon-Goldstein coefficient ρ, model reliability, mean variance. The purpose of the PLS-PM model is to obtain estimates of latent variables for further forecasting procedures for the development of the system. The processes taking place in the tourism industry are characterized by a complex interaction of economic, environmental and social factors. Their influence should be taken into account for the implementation of the sustainable tourism development strategy. The analysis of the model was also carried out with the help of a single coefficient of quality of the correspondence of the data model, which characterizes the quality of the internal and external models of the system. Thanks to the listed tools, the statement is formed that the regulation of key factors of the tourism sector of the economic sector can have a positive impact on the development of national culture and economy in the united territorial communities. The created mathematical model clearly forms the conclusion that the development of tourism in local communities can become the engine of their sustainable economic development, given the available regional conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International actors, both states and supra-state organizations, face certain challenges in managing the migration phenomenon. Among these challenges, in the present paper, we have chosen to focus on those that may emerge following the relocation itself, starting from the premise that the way in which the integration of migrants takes place within the host community is a decisive factor for the type of effects that can be generated in the security environment. The purpose of the article is to identify the means by which the migration management system can be improved, in order to support states, governments and authorities in their efforts to maintain public order and the state of peace. The analysis of the concept of strategic communication (StratCom) reveals aspects, dimensions, parameters and frameworks that indicate its relevance and usefulness in the smooth development of the process of social integration of emigrants, and the present study is aimed at identifying these characteristics as well as at modelling a StratCom framework that is generally applicable to any scenario, in support of governments, host communities and migrants alike. Finally, we will adapt the general working framework to a specific one, focused on the integration of Ukrainian migrants within the Romanian community, in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict near Romania's borders, given the actual situation that needs to be managed by the Romanian state so that possible tensions between the two social groups can be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Antiqua et Archeologica is the property of Studia Antiqua et Archeologica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The study of the R&D in this paper is to determine the range of essential oils (EOs) in the raw materials of species of the genus Thymus of the natural flora in the Carpathian region and their antimicrobial activity. It was found that the component range of EO in species of the genus Thymus depends on the microclimatic conditions of the population. The range of essential oils in the raw material of Th. Serpyllum and Th. Pulegoides is 7–9 mL and Th. Marschallianus is 3.5 mL. The research found that the plants Th. Serpyllum and Th. Pulegoides that grow in sunny habitats have an aromatic mono- and bicyclic monoterpenoid chemotype (K/α-T-neol/ G/p-C/B), with total dominance of carvacrol and p-cymene. The populations of Th. Serpyllum, which grow on the edges of sparse pine forests, and populations of Th. Pullegioide, with denser plant cover and which grow in meadows, have an acyclic and bicyclic monoterpene chemotype (G/α-T-neol/B/K). Plants that grow in the communities of meadow-steppe vegetation have the following chemotypes: Th. Serpyllum—L/K/G with 63% of linalool, Th. Pullegioides—G/α-T-neol/L/B, and Th. Marschallianus—α-T-neol/K/L/α-T-nen/G/B. Of these, the dominant chemotypes are α-terpineol and carvacrol (28:6.5%). A wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity was registered in samples of Th. Pullegoides and Th. Serpyllum that have an aromatic-monoterpenoid chemotype. Essential oils of Th. Pullegoides were dominated by carvacrol, and p-cymene had the highest fungicidal action (41.00 ± 1.0%). Plant populations of Th. Pullegoides and Th. Serpyllum with the aromatic-monoterpenoid chemotype are suggested by R&D to be of use in the pharmaceutical industry. They have high contents of natural components, which are effective in a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity. The EO of Th. Marschallianus had the lowest influence on the inhibition of bacterial and fungal reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Economy & Market Communication Review / Casopis za Ekonomiju i Trzisne Komunikacije is the property of Pan-European University Apeiron and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present paper substantiates the government transparency issue's importance as a fundamental principle of management and exercise of power on the local level. It must become a dominant one for Ukrainian urban territorial communities’ socio-economic development regulation under the condition of further steps implementation aimed at strengthening administrative and financial decentralization processes. We elucidate specific characteristics of government transparency measuring global practice, in particular, by applying a methodological approach to the city transparency index calculation, which has been conducted since the end of the 20th century by the NGO "Transparency International". We formulated and tested hypotheses about the relationship presence between government transparency level, income from the payment of personal income tax and local tax by the population, as well as the number of people who voted for public budget projects. We chose Ukrainian cities with different ranking positions by the government transparency level to conduct a measurement. The study proved that the local government transparency level is an important factor in Ukraine’s urban territorial communities’ socio and economic development. We defined that cities’ industrial specialization and their economic diversification level do not influence significantly the correlation density between government transparency level and local budgets' revenues. Additionally, most cities, regardless of their size, are characterized by a high correlation between indicators of transparency and the public activity of residents. Also, we observed a tendency for citizens’ activity to rise in the most investigated communities. The obtained results demonstrated the need to choose a longer time lag to test the proposed hypotheses. Nevertheless, the proven hypotheses made it possible to identify problems in ensuring the transparency of territorial communities’ authorities and to formulate proposals for improving public administration efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper is to definite the features of the military view of the current stage of the RussianUkrainian war, as one of the part of its contemporary «multiplex» vision. The research methodology combines quantitative (content analysis, statistical calculations) and qualitative (structural semiotic-semantic analysis) methods with culturological interpretation of the outcomes. Moreover, some personal observations of the authors on social platforms in Ukraine have been used. The scientific novelty consists in the theoretical reconstruction of the visual image of «war through the eyes of the military», which is markedly different from every day and journalistic assumptions about it. Conclusions. As a result of a quantitative content-analysis of the photocontent of the official Facebook-page of the Kholodny Yar 93rd separate mechanised brigade, the most popular among the 23 infantry brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the authors came to the conclusion that it forms a special point of view – «war through the eyes of the military». Paradoxically, the war does not look like a chain of combat operations with the massive use of tanks, artillery, and other weapons, the result of which is the destruction of the maximum number of enemies. It appears as a special type of human existence. This was the result of the intersection of the «peaceful» beliefs of the Operator, the professional media people who generated this content, and the real combat environment in which the shooting took place. The specified vision performs a motivational function for the active pro-Ukrainian community, which is the main audience of this page. Recognition of the peculiarities of other visions of the Russian-Ukrainian war current phase, for example, a purely journalistic one, can become a relevant direction of further research, an important component of the scientific formalisation of the modern view of it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study is aimed at forming the methodological approaches to combining different classifications of territories of Ukraine in order to develop an instrumentarium for their recovery and long-term development. This involves the implementation of the latest approaches to the short-term management of territories and their strategizing. A consideration of the works of scholars demonstrated the lack of a coordinated system of separation of territories (in the presence of several classifications of territories in accordance with the levels of their development) for the needs of socioeconomic recovery and stimulation of development. The paper analyzes various classifications of territories according to the administrative-territorial division, allocated functional types, levels of economic security and distinguishes common features of different classifications of territories (regions and communities) of Ukraine. The goals of further development of territories such as compliance with certain standards of living in the regions are determined, the foundations of economic growth are outlined, the methods of accumulating additional funds in the territories are indicated, the influence of the levels of economic security of the regional economy on the possibilities of stimulating its development is demonstrated. A methodical approach to the grouping of territories by levels of development, needs for recovery, threats to economic security in different regions is formed, on the basis of which a coordinated system of typification of the territories of Ukraine for their socioeconomic recovery and stimulation of development is proposed. It is proved that different territories can belong to different types, which makes the classification flexible, and the goals of stimulating the development of territories remain variable. This underlines the need to use various instruments to enhance the development of territories in different periods. The originality of the publication lies in the mutual combination of different types of classifications of the territories of Ukraine and the development of their grouped classification. This will allow to develop a logical system of measures to manage the regional and local economy on the basis of new principles of their short-term and strategic development, needs for recovery and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of the study of the united territorial communities functioning and the identification of the main problems of organizational support of local budget management are substantiated. It has been studied that the issues related to the development of organizational support of local budget management are insufficiently researched in the domestic scientific literature. The paper clarifies that the decentralization of government should ensure the democratization of society, combine administrative, political, fiscal decentralization and involves the transformation of the interaction between governmental agencies and citizens, NGOs and businesses. The regulatory framework for the reform process is provided. Problems of united territorial communities’ development are identified. One of the first of them is the problem of proper implementation of the territorial community functions, which is intertwined with the filling of the UTC budget, the formation of financial resources sufficient to adequately finance the urgent social needs of communities based on the principle of subsidiarity, implementation of their economic and technological development. Conditions for the formation of able-bodied territorial communities are provided. The own and delegated powers of the united territorial communities in Ukraine are studied. The factors and subjects of ensuring the financial capacity of territorial communities are singled out and generalized. As a result, the well-established interaction of the subjects of financial relations under the influence of both external and internal factors will help meet the legitimate needs and interests of local communities. The basic legislative bases of the mechanism of voluntary association of territorial communities are generalized. It is determined that the current state of local budgets does not seem to be the best, which hinders the complex tasks assigned to local authorities: scarcity of their own sources of income, almost complete dependence on the state budget, lack of transparency of budgetary relations in providing financial assistance from the center, additional assistance revenues and economic expenditure of budget funds. According to the analysis conducted by the authors, a set of problems of organizational support of local budgets is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article, based on the primary analysis, revealed high cost and low efficiency and contradictions in the functioning of the anti-aircraft, especially anti-missile defence of Ukraine during hostilities. It is suggested to clarify the terminological apparatus in this specific sphere of defence activity of society. The problem is considered both in the global and international, as well as regional, branch military conditions of the functioning of the voluntary association of territorial communities of Ukraine, territorial defence, etc. It is noted that air defence is carried out by air defence troops of land units and fighter aircraft in cooperation with air defence troops of the country, and in the case of hostilities in the area of the sea coast - with air defence units of the navy. It is established that most Western and European Commonwealth armed combine air defence exclusively with conventional forces (i.e., army, navy and air force), as a separate wing, or as part of the artillery. It is assumed that from a practical point of view, Ukraine may need ground air defence more than aviation. In the paper the interrelationships of the development of the air defence system within the framework of the development of the European Commonwealth in the interstate context are revealed. On this basis, the trends of this process are established and offered to use of modern economic European approaches to the organization of antimissile defence on the latest economic and environmental principles and the implementation of reforms in Ukraine in accordance with the modern requirements of European standards. The progressive experience of anti-aircraft protection of the population, the peculiarities of the operation of the "Iron Dome" and the issues of defence of the state maritime zone, for which the "M-dome" is used, are described. The economic characteristics of air defence with the use of anti-missile installations are given. It was emphasized that, like any other weapon, "Iron Dome" should not be considered as a separate unit, because all military equipment and weapons work in a single system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the background of the growing concern of the Euro-Atlantic community about Turkey's approach to Russia, this paper presents the probable posture of Turkey in a potential politico-military crisis caused by Russia in the Black Sea region. Thus, considering a projective scenario in which Russia is again engaged in a military conflict by invading Ukraine, it is estimated the most possible positioning of Turkey. This results from an operational analysis, based on a MACTOR model (Matrix of alliances and conflicts: tactics, objectives and recommendations) of Professor Michel Godet, focused on the influence between actors and their interests, adapted by the author of the material to this scenario. Thus, the application of MACTOR model, configured based on the premise that Turkey has certain strategic objectives in the context created by the scenario of Ukraine's aggression by the Russian Federation, estimates that the Ankara administration will line up to NATO posture in this crisis because this way it maximises its chances to fulfil the objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ukraine is one of the largest countries in Europe and there is a significant Muslim minority here, among which there are several Shia communities. Aspects of the life and activities of the Shia community in Ukraine are almost unexplored. Although at the same time a number of studies were devoted to the Shiite minorities of Western European countries, therefore in this paper, we examined the characteristics of the life of the Shia community in Ukraine and compared it with the characteristics of the Shia communities in Western Europe. Special attention was paid to the peculiarities of the mentality of the indigenous Shiites, represented by Azerbaijanis. The features of the institutionalization of the Shia communities of Ukraine, the features of conducting divine services and mourning events of Ashura were considered. After analyzing the above problems, we came to the conclusion that the Shiites of Ukraine are more passive, so we tried to identify the reasons for such passivity, among which the most important are the Soviet "atheistic" past; cultural, national and linguistic diversity of representatives of the Shiite minority of Ukraine, which prevents larger gatherings of Shiites from being held. We consider the article as a basis for further research in this region, therefore, the purpose of the study was to highlight all possible problematic aspects of the life of Shiite minorities in Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article offers a new framework for understanding the early East European post-war that introduces and conceptualizes the idea of "Void Communities." The core of the argument is that the disappearance of various groups of Others—ethnic, religious, and class—was one of the most important consequences of the Second World War for Central and Eastern Europe, and particularly for Poland and Ukraine. The Void left by those who had disappeared could be described on several levels, such as physical absence, social and economical dysfunctionality, transformation of the social structure and stratification, property transfer, decline of moral values and norms, and changes in local culture and traditions. Based on an extensive oral history research (of more than 150 interviews) and in-depth reading of ego documents, the article prioritizes the first-hand perspective of witnesses and centres on those who remained in the post-war Void Communities after their neighbours had been murdered, deported, resettled, or encouraged to leave semi-voluntarily. While the paper primarily focuses on the historical region of Galicia, now divided between Poland and Ukraine, the source material used to analyze the framework for Void Communities includes documents associated with the entire pre-war Polish Second Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to develop recommendations for the conflict in agrarian nature use management on the basis of assessment, analysis and mapping (on the example of the community of Velyka Andrusivka of the Kirovohrad region of Ukraine). To achieve the goal, the methods were used: analytical, SWOT analysis, interviewing, cartography, chemical analysis. The article includes the results of the chemical analysis of water from the wells of the Velyka Andrusivka community and the results of the SWOT analysis of the conflict in nature use between the community of Velyka Andrusivka and the "VKiK" pig farming complex. The existence of a conflict within the community was confirmed and recommendations for its resolution were formed. A number of ecological and social recommendations for this specific community have been developed on the basis of existing methods of resolving conflicts in nature use. The data and recommendations obtained during the research can be used to resolve the conflict in the community of Velyka Andrusivka and similar conflicts in agrarian nature management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Logos: A Journal, of Religion, Philosophy Comparative Cultural Studies & Art (08687692) is the property of Logos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article describes the role of land resources in the financial support of rural areas of Ukraine. To determine the importance of land resources in the financial sustainability of rural areas, a detailed analysis of their financial potential in the budget system was carried out. It is determined that one of the main sources of filling rural budgets of Ukraine is the payment for land, which averages 46.4% of revenues from the total amount of local taxes and fees. In order to identify the spatial uneven distribution of land resources and tax revenues from land payments, have formed three clusters of rural communities depending on the share of land fees in total local tax revenues. The results of the cluster analysis showed the presence of a significant financial potential of land resources in the majority of rural territorial communities of Ukraine. This potential can be realized by implementing the experience of communities where the share of land fees reaches more than 70% of the total amount of local taxes while a high level of total revenues. To analyze the impact of land use efficiency on rural finance, it is proposed to establish a link between land resources and budget indicators. With the help of correlation-regression analysis on the example of rural territorial communities of Cherkasy region of Ukraine, a direct and close relationship between the land area of territorial communities and local taxes and fees was revealed. The results of such an analysis of the impact of land resources on the efficiency of budgetary processes make it possible to respond appropriately to the land management system and land use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, there have been presented the results of the comparative analysis, based on the empirical data provided in public opinion surveys and civic engagement polls of residents of Ukraine, 2017-2019. The investigation has been aimed at tracing the correlation, on the one hand, between the civic literacy level of population, and proneness of the latter to the impact of conflict-related biases, and populist political agendas, in particular, region- and languagerelated ones, concerning intergroup and intragroup relations between internally displaced persons and host communities. On the other hand, tolerance to otherness, and readiness of citizens to participate in peacebuilding initiatives, are reviewed through the perspectives and risks of further communicative and educational transformations of the conflict-restructured communities in Ukraine; and the conclusion on urgent need in diagnostic and prospective civic literacy and expectations mapping of the entire war-affected population, regardless of the region, outlines the challenge yet to be faced by Ukrainian researchers and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of evaluation of the efficiency of employment of the communities' resource potential using different approaches on the example of Lviv region in Ukraine. The proposed methodology secures creation of a rational system of monitoring of the results of activities of amalgamated territorial communities (ATC) and determines what factorial indices should be improved and concerned by the communities' managers to conduct more efficient managerial work in the community. For example, in the communities with the budget that is sufficient to secure the increasing development of the community (Davydiv, Dubliany, Zabolottsi ATC), the primary focus can be done on the social development and growth of the infrastructural base, whereas in the ATCs with the low level of economic development (Volia-Baranetska, Lukiv, Mizhenets ATC), the most important task is to secure the sufficient extended growth of the population's income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates critically the conventional hierarchical representation of the formal/informal employment dualism, which depicts formal employment as extensive and positively contributing to economic development and social cohesion, and the separate realm of informal employment as weaker, inhabiting the margins and impairing progress and development. Although the discourses of informal employment as weak, marginal and separate from formal employment have been previously put under the spotlight, there has been little questioning of whether informal employment is a negative phenomenon. Through a study of Ukraine, however, this paper finds evidence that informal employment positively contributes to not only economic development as a seedbed for enterprise and entrepreneurship but also social cohesion as a primary vehicle for delivering community self-help. The outcome is a call for a finer-grained understanding of informal (and ultimately also formal) employment that recognises its plurality of forms and their varying consequences for economic development and social cohesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article we proved that the clustering of regions in terms of socio-economic conditions of rural development and farms located on them using a selected range of indicators by scientists was not carried out. The obtained results provide an opportunity to conduct a comprehensive assessment and generalization of the territorial differentiation of socio-economic conditions for the development of rural areas and farms located in the Volyn region of Ukraine. Visualization of the territorial-spatial distribution of selected clusters using a cartogram allows optimizing the visual perception of the information load on the clustering results. The general generalizations of regional differentiation of separate elements of social and economic conditions of development of rural territories and peasant farms located on them for real realities prompt to think about perspective prospects of development of the system of these farms, their place, and role in the organizational structure of agrarian sector of market type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the issues of financial capacities mobilization of amalgamated territorial communities for intensification of their investment and innovative activity are considered. It will contribute to the systemic development of the regional (territorial) economy. Ensuring the increase of financial and investment potential of the territorial economy is impossible without a quantitative assessment of its volume and level. To assess the level of the region’s provision with its own financial and investment potential, we used a method of assessing the ratio of net and gross volume of financial and investment potential. Calculations have shown that in 2010—2018 in the economy of Ukraine there was a general trend in increase of number of regions with a free savings deficit, that could have been attracted into the investment process. Based on the results of the analysis, a conclusion is made about the asymmetry of regional economic development. Regions with developed industry faced the least problems with the formation of financial and investment potential. Our suggestions are to develop the entrepreneurial potential in the direction of establishing import substitution in order to increase the territorial community’s own financial resources. The authors’ idea of choosing the industry for the organization of import-substituting productions is tested on the example of Lviv region. This idea is to direct financial and investment resources to those sectors of industry that will have good consumer prospects, in spite the fact that their market share is insignificant due to the imports. As a result, regions (territories) will have the opportunity to produce consumer goods and mobilize domestic resources, and at the same time attract and accumulate external financial and investment resources. We believe that such strategy will ensure the effective socio-economic development of the regional (territorial) economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article employs the LIM method, complemented by publications and interviews conducted during the ongoing war in Ukraine, to explore the shifts in attitudes toward war and peace within Ukrainian evangelical communities. This shift involves a transition from a pacifist mindset previously predominant among Ukrainian evangelicals to questions about their responsibility and involvement in Ukraine's state and society amid the war that Russia has launched against Ukraine. Interviews with leaders and active church members hint at a possible alignment with Stassen's alternative model of transformative initiatives that might provide potential guidance. While reconciliation initiatives amid the ongoing war may be premature, the article highlights the role of Christian communities in transformative peacebuilding within Ukraine. It is necessary to address tensions within Ukraine. This also entails aiding war-affected individuals, ensuring care for soldiers and civilians, and confronting power abuse and corruption. Ukraine's unity, freedom, peace, and reconciliation must include diverse political and social groups. The article recommends that Ukrainian evangelicals embrace a contextual public theology that advocates for peace, justice, and reconciliation. Ukrainian evangelicals, while supporting soldiers engaged in active combat against Russian invaders, are also contemplating strategies for active participation in peacebuilding and post-war reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the eastern province of the Bandkeramik. Aspects of chronology, settlement and cultural contact will be discussed. Once, the LBK lands to the east of the Vistula River formed an integral part of the Bandkeramik cultural complex. Mobility and contact contributed to the comparatively high degree of homogeneity observed across the vast zone of LBK interaction stretching from the Seine to the Dnieper Rivers. Furthermore, at the eastern periphery of the LBK inspirations were drawn from Mesolithic backgrounds, the Bug-Dniester culture, and Neolithic communities of the Lower Danube. On the other hand, towards the end of her cultural cycle the LBK seems to have had little effect on the subsequent formation of future Neolithic cultures. The expansion of the Bandkeramik came to a halt at the western fringes of the steppes. Here, confronted with an increasingly continental climate, the forest peasants of the LBK met their agro-ecological limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this essay, Oleksandr Fedorets reports his experience of counseling veterans of combat, both in the current invasion and in the Maidan revolution of 2013–2014. Doctor Fedorets eschews the notion of a neutral analytic "third position," in wartime scenarios, in favor of a more humanitarian, trauma-informed "bearing witness" as discussed by Israeli and other analytic communities. The author reminds us that the stakes could not be higher, offering clinical vignettes both hopeful and catastrophic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elaeagnus angustifolia is one of the highly invasive shrubs in Ukraine, which escaped from the culture and started to form plant communities in different habitats. We aimed to: (i) analyze information about the history of cultivation, introduction, and current distribution of E. angustifolia in Ukraine; (ii) conduct a phytosociological classification of E. angustifolia-dominated stands in Ukraine; (iii) characterize the units described; (iv) compare synecological characteristics of different E. angustifolia communities; (v) reveal some reasons for the invasion success of E. angustifolia on the territory of Ukraine. We established that E. angustifolia is widespread nowadays in the steppe zone of Ukraine, but shows a tendency to expand its range northward. We identified four associations (Lactuco tataricae-Elaeagnetum angustifoliae, Plantago arenariae-Elaeagnetum angustifoliae, Balloto nigrae-Elaeagnetum angustifoliae, Leymo sabulosi-Elaeagnetum angustifoliae) and one community (Elytrigia repens-Elaeagnus angustifolia) with the dominance of oleaster in Ukraine. Using DCA-ordination, it was demonstrated that the main gradients of a plant community's differentiation are the climate's aridity-humidity and thermoregime of the territory. The invasion success of E. angustifolia is caused by anthropogenic pressure as well as the biological peculiarities of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has indicated that witnessing gender discrimination may instigate women's participation in collective action for gender justice. However, relatively little is known about the role of perceived female support in motivating collective action among women who witness gender discrimination in public life. This study aims to analyse whether and when perceived support from feminist‐minded women moderates the association between women's witnessing gender discrimination and their willingness to engage in collective action for gender justice. We argue that the association between witnessing gender discrimination and willingness to engage in collective action depends on the support women perceive from their female friends and family members. In studies of women in the U.S. (Study 1; N = 271) and Ukraine (Study 2; N = 256), witnessing gender discrimination predicted greater willingness to participate in collective action for gender justice, and this association was stronger when female support was perceived to be lower. Study 3 (N = 1,304) replicated the findings of Studies 1 and 2 with self‐identified feminist women in Turkey. Our research offers novel insights regarding why perceived lack of female support may encourage women to engage in collective action for gender justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We elucidated the reaction of ruderal vegetation community to environmental changes. It made it possible to assess the level and nature of the synanthropic vegetation dynamics, fluctuation processes, and also to indicate the scenarios of evolution of ruderal communities throughout the environmental changes, in particular, climate changes. In this study, we used the original methods: synphytoindications and estimation of the climate change impact and the species reaction according to their ecological strategy. Dataset included 1200 phytosociological relevés of different synanthropic habitat types (borders of fields, ruderal areas, and railway tracks). As a result of vegetation analysis, we obtained 16 alliances of ruderal vegetation belonging to the six classes and two natural vegetation derivatives of the Sedo-Scleranthetea Br.-Bl. 1955 and Festuco-Brometea Br.-Bl. & Tx. 1943. Evaluation of ecological indicator value changes in relation to 1, 2 and 3 °C increase in average annual temperatures allowed to determine how significant is the threat to the existence of ruderal communities. It is particularly noticeable in the thermal regime, and some changes in edaphic properties of soil, especially acidity (pH). Under the conditions of climate changes and ecological indicator value changes, such communities could be easily restored both in the appropriate conditions of the region and outside it, that is, shifting their range. But thanks to this strategy, the emergence of new species and, as a result of this, the formation of completely new vegetation types is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Equine strongyles encompass more than 64 species of nematode worms that are responsible for growth retardation and the death of animals. The factors underpinning variation in the structure of the equine strongyle community remain unknown. Methods: Using horse-based strongyle community data collected after horse deworming (48 horses in Poland, 197 horses in Ukraine), we regressed species richness and the Gini-Simpson index upon the horse's age, faecal egg count, sex and operation of origin. Using the Ukrainian observations, we applied a hierarchical diversity partitioning framework to estimate how communities were remodelled across operations, age groups and horses. Lastly, strongyle species counts collected after necropsy (46 horses in France, 150 in Australia) were considered for analysis of their co-occurrences across intestinal compartments using a joint species distribution modelling approach. Results: First, inter-operation variation accounted for > 45% of the variance in species richness or the Gini-Simpson index (which relates to species dominance in communities). Species richness decreased with horse's age (P = 0.01) and showed a mild increase with parasite egg excretion (P < 0.1), but the Gini-Simpson index was neither associated with parasite egg excretion (P = 0.8) nor with horse age (P = 0.37). Second, within-host diversity represented half of the overall diversity across Ukrainian operations. While this is expected to erase species diversity across communities, community dissimilarity between horse age classes was the second most important contributor to overall diversity (25.8%). Third, analysis of species abundance data quantified at necropsy defined a network of positive co-occurrences between the four most prevalent strongyle genera. This pattern was common to necropsies performed in France and Australia. Conclusions: Taken together, these results show a pattern of β-diversity maintenance across age classes combined with positive co-occurrences that might be grounded by priority effects between the major species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration as such is currently an evolutionary phenomenon, which is most pronounced in recent decades. Political, security and socio-economic aspects are one of the causes of migration. The reason is also climate change and therefore it can be ranked among the current challenges of civilization. The issue of migration became known after the outbreak of the migration crisis in 2015. Currently, after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, it has again become known to the public as well as the academic community. Following Russia's attack on Ukraine, EU member states began to face a new wave of migration. The onslaught on the borders is visible in Slovakia, and for this reason the country had to adapt legislation in this area. The aim of the article is to examine the impact of the Ukrainian crisis on Slovakia's migration and asylum policy as a result of changes at the European level after the outbreak of the military conflict in Ukraine. By analyzing documents, we examine changes in the legislative migration and asylum policy of Slovakia. Through qualitative research using the empirical-analytical method, it identifies the shortcomings of Slovakia's migration and asylum policy, which appeared after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the potential risks of permanent population loss in Ukraine on account of Russian military actions dating back to 2014, which has hindered the ability of the stronghold territorial communities to recover. It outlines the context of displacement in Ukraine over the past eight years, assesses displaced people's direct needs and considers both national and local policies to meet them. Finally, it forecasts factors that will impact the reluctance of displaced persons to return to the stronghold territories and details the necessary national and local responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, bird communities associated with agricultural systems have declined in Western and Central Europe and in North America, but how widely these dynamics extend to other regions is poorly known. In this study, we assessed the dynamics and the main drivers of the changes in the abundance, richness, and composition of breeding bird communities over a 30-year period in the various types of habitats of southeastern Ukraine (Azov region), a region that has undergone agricultural intensification for several decades. This study was conducted in the valley of the Molochna River during the 1988 to 2018 nesting seasons. The area studied hosted 81 bird species. Species richness varied from three species in salt marshes to thirty-three in reed beds but did not show a general trend over time. However, we identified a decline in bird communities' total abundance over time in all habitats except shelterbelts and meadows. Similarly, species composition changed over time, reflecting the way in which species varied in their abundance changes. Climatic variables contributed to bird community turnover, but with decreasing importance over time. Overall, our results indicate that the recent declines in bird populations in farmland regions also extend to eastern Europe, with land-use effects interacting with climate to shape temporal dynamics of bird communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) poses a set of interwoven challenges. A new general purpose technology likened to steam power or electricity, AI must first be clearly defined before considering its global governance. In this context, a useful definition is technology that uses advanced computation to perform at human cognitive capacity in some task area. Like electricity, AI cannot be governed in isolation, but in the context of a broader digital technology toolbox. Establishing national and community priorities on how to reap AI's benefits, while managing its social and economic risks, will be an evolving debate. A fundamental driver of the development and deployment of AI tools, of the algorithms and data, are the dominant Digital Platform Firms (DPFs). Unless specifically regulated, DPF's set de facto rules for use of data and algorithms. That can shift the borderline between public and private, and result in priorities that differ from those of the public sector or civil society. Governance of AI and the toolbox is a critical component of national success in the coming decades, as governments recognize opportunities and geopolitical risks posed by the suite of technologies. However, AI pries open a Pandora's box of questions that sweep across the economy and society engaging diverse communities. Rather than strive towards global agreement on a single set of market and social rules, one must consider how to pursue objectives of interoperability amongst nations with quite different political economies. Even such limited agreements are complicated following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article determined and substantiated that the public opinion that the residents of rural areas, due to less strict observance of the regime of quarantine COVID restrictions on economic activity, lower population density in the settlement network, and technological features of agriculture, suffered smaller losses in terms of employment and income than other strata, turned out to be too optimistic. According to the results of the study, social alienation is increasing as a result of the deterioration of the entire spectrum of social and labour relations. Further research on the chosen subject may be related to strengthening the institutional capacity and financial self-sufficiency of communities due to the decentralization of powers and resources, the transition to a two-level model of interbudgetary relations, the development of local self-government and changes in the administrative-territorial system, overcoming the social alienation of self-employed persons, provision of force majeure in circumstances similar to the COVID pandemic, economic access to food, health care services, education, culture, transport, and digital infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Epidemiological Review / Przegląd Epidemiologiczny is the property of National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Today, there are problems of increasing economic, social, and financial stability and environmental protection (security) in Ukraine, and they are extremely relevant and important. They necessitate the solution of complex tasks aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of communities by means of effective state policy. The article summarizes and develops an approach to the realization of the national interests of Ukraine in the context of the continuous development of communities. It has received international recognition and is thus a system of views on the movement of economies and communities as their consistent interaction with each other and with nature. Today, it is recognized as a valuable model of the future world civilization, which marks the latest state of social development and is recognized as post-industrial. The theory and practice of sustainable development is a reflection of the objective need for economic reorientation and all social development with urgent consideration of the preservation of natural and human opportunities for current and future generations. For Ukraine, especially in view of its integration policy, the introduction of the concept of sustainable development acquires not only scientific but also political relevance and is one of the significant aspects of improving the efficiency of municipal self-government and achieving the best results. Thus, among the criteria of sustainable development of regions, it is expedient to include the criteria of municipal self-government activities, which would contribute to the dynamic and sustainable development of municipal entities, but the basic and optimal level of implementation of ideas and national interests of sustainable development is the municipal level. Therefore, local authorities should ensure the sustainable development of communities, taking into account the principles of local selfgovernment and creating conditions for the transfer of a minimum economic, ecological and social debt to future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In February 2022, the Somatic Experiencing Ukraine Task Force (SEUTF) was established to respond to the crisis in Europe caused by the escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War. A cooperative effort of hundreds of volunteers from 37 countries on four continents, this rapid mobilization and the resources it has garnered to address war trauma represents a historic first for the global SE® community. This article documents the processes and outcomes of the SEUTF in order to inform best practices for other body psychotherapy practitioners who may want to organize and sustain effective cooperative responses to the trauma caused by war and other collective crisis moments in real-time, as situations are unfolding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, the advent of network science permitted new quantitative approaches to literary studies. Here, we bring the Kyiv bylyny cycle into the field — East Slavic epic narratives originating in modern-day Ukraine. By comparing them to other prominent European epics, we identify universal and distinguishing properties of the social networks in bylyny. We analyze community structures and rank most important characters. The method allows to bolster hypotheses from humanities literature — such as the position of Prince Volodymyr — and to generate new ones. We show how the Kyiv cycle of bylyny fits very well with narrative networks from other nations — especially heroic ones. We anticipate that, besides delivering new narratological insights, this study will aid future scholars and interested public to navigate their way through Ukraine's epic story and identify its heroes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Recent studies have shown that groups sharing the same or very similar environments, but with diverse cultural backgrounds (e.g. different ethnos and/or religion) have considerably different knowledge of folk (medicinal) plant uses. Yet, it is not clear to what extent various factors (such as culture, economy, isolation, and especially social and political situations) contribute to such differences in the utilization of the same natural resources. Aim of the study This paper addresses the effect of border created in 1940 and subsequent separation of a single ethnic group on changes in their folk use of medicinal and wild food plants. The Hutsuls of Bukovina had been homogenous for centuries, but were separated in 1940 as a result of the formation of state borders between Romania and the former Soviet Union (now Ukraine). The aim of the study is to analyse if the belonging to this different states for 75 years have induced different changes in local plant use within communities that share a common historical legacy and environment. Materials and methods In depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 42 people in May 2015. Collected data were analysed, and comparisons were made between the data gathered on the two sides of the border for different use categories: medicinal, wild food and veterinary plants, as well as other remedies. Recently collected data were also compared with historical data obtained for the region, medicinal plant folk uses in Romania and medicinal plant uses of The State Pharmacopeia of the Soviet Union. Results Divergences in current medicinal plant use are much greater than in the use of wild food plants. The majority of the wild food taxa, including those used for making recreational teas, are also used for medicinal purposes and hence contribute to the food-medicine continuum, representing emergency foods in the past and serving as memory markers for possible future food shortages. Compared with the historical data, considerable changes have occurred within specific medicinal applications and less in the taxa used. The influence of the Soviet State Pharmacopeia on present ethnomedicine on the Ukrainian side is minimal. Conclusions Hutsul herbal ethnomedicine on the Ukrainian side of the border has continued to evolve (the abandonment of some uses and the adoption of others), whereas on the Romanian side it has undergone significant erosion with a proportionally smaller adoption of new uses and the leaving behind of possibly more “traditional” uses than on the Ukrainian side. In sum, current ethnomedicinal practices of Hutsuls living on both sides of the border are more extensive than those reported in historical sources. Yet the unknown sampling method employed to collect the historical data and possible skipping of “ordinary” uses by folklorists and ethnographers does not allow for definitive conclusions to be drawn. Cross-cultural and cross-border ethnobotany represents one of the most powerful means for addressing the issue of change and variability of medicinal plant uses and heritage, and further studies in other areas of Eastern Europe and beyond need to address the trajectory proposed by the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the meaning and possibilities of the Russian internet stand at a critical juncture. So do those of the global internet. Understanding the Kremlin's evolving relationship with "Runet" (the Russian internet) and the networked communities it has fostered is essential to making sense of the regime's current turn to international belligerence and domestic repression. This article examines Russia's unique history as a digital authoritarian state to shed new light on recent developments and their significance for global internet freedom. It traces Russia's approach to internet control from the early days of relatively laissez-faire development to the current onslaught of wartime repression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuadernos Europeos de Deusto is the property of Universidad de Deusto and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Between 2015 and 2020 a study was conducted on the diversity of ruderal vegetation of the Stellarietea mediae class on the territory of Ukraine. It was discovered that this class consists of 48 associations from 12 alliances and 5 orders (Aperetalia spicae-venti, Atriplici-Chenopodietalia albi, Eragrostietalia, Papaveretalia rhoeadis, Sisymbrietalia sophiae). Based on the results of ordination analysis it was found that the distribution of annual ruderal communities is determined by the variation of moisture, soil aeration as well as carbonate and nitrogen content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Wieś & Rolnictwo is the property of Instytut Rozwoju Wsi & Rolnictwa, Polska Akademia Nauk and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Ukrainian Historical Journal / Ukraïnsʹkij Ìstoričnij Žurnal is the property of Institute of History of Ukraine, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

It is determined that, the Ukrainian economy is facing systemic challenges which it needs to overcome to ensure sustainable development of its communities. This requires working out new effective mechanisms and forms of interaction between the government and businesses that would balance the interests and rely on the principles of mutual gain maximization. The limited investment resources of the state render it impossible to properly finance regional socioeconomic projects and develop infrastructure. Historically, it so happened that the world would tackle the above problems, especially under unfavorable macroeconomic conditions, using the potential offered by the public-private partnership (PPP) as a form of interaction between the public and private sectors. The private sector tends to increase profits; obtaining more resources for doing business through attracting public resources; improving the efficiency of the use of their resources due to the effect of financial leverage in the merger of own resources with state resources; creation of a certain set of guarantees and preferences; removal of barriers to its development. It is concluded that, the specific nature of the state and municipal property and the limitations of the budget funding for social and infrastructure facilities, as well as the need to address socio-environmental and economic problems in an effective and efficient way determine the need to introduce PPP models into practice. Ukraine has embarked on the trajectory of PPP development as a pre-requisite for ensuring self-sufficiency of the state and its territorial communities. Its course is reasonably sensible because it started with the relevant changes in the legal framework and creation of the supporting units to facilitate the PPP implementation and development. The main spheres the PPP projects are being implemented are major infrastructure facilities (electric power and heat production, water treatment, waste management, roads) and social life (health care and leisure). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]