Strategy for the Development of Joint Territorial Groups: Theoretical Aspects
Authors: Bovsunivska Iryna 
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this article is a theoretical and methodological analysis of strategic planning of the united territorial community in conditions of decentralization of power and local self-government reform.
The methodological basis is the general aspects of the economic theory and theory of public administration.
Methods of research are based on general scientific and special methods of cognition. System, structural and evolutionary approaches are used to identify the essence of the categories "territorial community", "the capacity of the territorial community" and "strategy of development of the territorial community"; the methods of analysis and synthesis allowed to reveal the peculiarities of strategic planning of the development of the united territorial communities, the abstract-logical method was used for theoretical generalization and formation of conclusions.
The main aspects and results of the research are applied in the educational process in the development and teaching of normative and special courses "Economics and Governance", "Decentralization and development of territorial communities", "Public-private partnership" at the V.I. Vernadsky Taurida National University for the master's students Public Administration program.
The scientific novelty is as follows:
1. With the addition of systemic, structural and evolutionary approaches, it is found that the definition of the term "territorial community" should take into account historical, territorial, ecological, sociological, selfgoverning, economic and political aspects. The concept of "capacity of a territorial community" is defined as the ability to perform the functions entrusted by the legislation directly to the community and local self-government authorities to ensure its life and development. The configuration of the capacity of the territorial community was substantiated, its components (internal and external capacity) were clarified.
2. The principles and stages of strategic planning of the development of a united territorial community under conditions of decentralization of power and local self-government reform, which are important for the success of the strategic planning of territorial development are considered. It is proved that the principles should be considered in close connection with a certain stage of the strategy of the development of the united territorial communities. The algorithm of strategic planning of the development of a united territorial community based on the principles of strategic planning of sustainable development of territories is proposed.
3. It is grounded that the effectiveness of the strategy of the development of united territorial communities depends to a large extent on the way of its development. Practical experience in creating strategies in Ukraine has identified five methods for developing strategic plans for the development of territories, of which the long-term partnership method (three partnerships between government, community and business) with the participation of experts is most effective. This description of each method is given, their strengths and weaknesses are determined.
4. It is grounded that in the conditions of the reform of local self-government the issue of formation of updated (project) competencies of local self-government employees becomes relevant. At the present stage, the demand for a new style of thinking of managers is being formed, the continuation of which is an updated organizational culture of management, the traditional qualifications of today's local government officials are not enough to work in new environments where the project becomes a leading tool for change, achievement of goals, funding unit and one the main means of attracting additional resources to the united territorial communities.
The main results can be used by public authorities and authorities, local government authorities, research centres and institutes, and higher educational institutions (proposals for the organization of strategic planning of the development of united territorial communities through institutions of mediation of power, business and community).