SOCIAL MECHANISMS FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE POPULATION IN THE SYSTEM OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL: MODEL AND INSTRUMENTS

Abstract

The article substantiates a model of social mechanisms for improving the quality of life of the population in the system of public administration at the regional level of Ukraine. The relevance of the topic is determined by the need to transform the results of quality-of-life assessment into practical public-administration decisions under martial law and during post-war recovery. The paper proceeds from the premise that the quality of life should be considered not only as a multidimensional outcome of socio-economic development but also as an object of purposeful public influence through legal, institutional, financial, organizational, communication and participatory instruments.

The proposed model links the principles of social quality, human-centred governance and place-based regional policy. It includes a diagnostic block, a strategic and programme block, an implementation block, and a feedback block. Particular attention is paid to the distribution of responsibilities among national authorities, regional military and civil administrations, local self-government bodies, civil society organizations, business actors and international partners. The article systematizes instruments that can be used to improve living conditions in regions affected by war, displacement, infrastructure destruction and unequal access to public services.

The practical value of the study lies in the development of recommendations for regional policy: the institutionalization of quality-of-life objectives in regional strategies; the use of differentiated policy packages for frontline, de-occupied, relatively safe and recipient regions; the strengthening of municipal capacity; the introduction of transparent project selection; and the expansion of citizen participation in recovery planning. Two applied regional situations are considered: a frontline region where the priority is security and continuity of essential services, and a recipient region where the priority is social integration, labour-market adaptation and pressure on infrastructure. The results may be used in public-administration research, regional development planning and the preparation of practical recommendations for Ukrainian recovery policy.

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