Informational Technologies as a Tool for Local Level Sustainable Development Goals Implementation

Ethiopia’s special economic zones (SEZs) sustainability practices are aimed at achieving the country's sustainable development; however, their failure has resulted in repercussions for sustainable local community development. This study analyzed the repercussions on the sustainable development of local communities resulting from the failure of SEZs' sustainability practices, focusing on three SEZs: Eastern Special Economic Zone (ESEZ), Bole Lemi Special Economic Zone (BLSEZ), and Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone (DDFTZ). The study employed a mixed research approach with an exploratory sequential design in which the qualitative phase was carried out and analyzed using content and thematic analysis, followed by the quantitative phase using descriptive analysis and a multivariate multiple linear regression. The study found that SEZs' sustainability practices negatively contributed to the local community’s sustainable development in economic, social, environmental, and peace perspectives. The multivariate multiple linear regression results show that economic sustainability practices significantly influenced social and economic development challenges, while governance sustainability practices significantly influenced the environmental sustainability and sustainable peace of local communities. To this end, it is suggested that systemic measures should improve the sustainability practices of SEZs as they minimize the negative impacts of SEZs on the local communities' sustainable development.

Purpose. To analyse the role of global art projects in stimulating tourist flows, as well as to assess the economic, cultural and social impact of global art projects on tourism development and related areas. Particular attention is paid to how global art exhibitions, biennials and public art installations influence the formation of attractive tourist destinations, contribute to the development of 'art tourism' and what is the potential of such projects for the sustainable development of local communities. Method. The analysis of domestic and international sources allows us to identify trends in the field of cultural tourism and art projects of various scales; the comparative approach makes it possible to identify common features and peculiarities that stimulate the tourist attractiveness of international art projects in different countries; the findings have become the basis for identifying critical factors for the success of such initiatives in tourism and their importance for the sustainable development of destinations and local communities. Results. The article reveals a pattern of increasing the role of art projects in tourism. According to research by international organisations and scholars, the general trend in cultural tourism is to seek a 'unique experience'. Large-scale exhibitions, biennials, and museum initiatives can attract tourists looking for new experiences. Global art initiatives such as the Venice Biennale (Italy), Art Basel (Switzerland), Documenta (Germany), etc. are becoming important 'points of attraction' in the cultural calendar, creating the preconditions for boosting international tourism and sustainable development of destinations. Scientific novelty. The role of art events in the formation of tourist flows is studied, it is found that a developed infrastructure, information promotion and involvement of local communities and state administrations are key components of the effectiveness of art projects in tourism. The author proposes to clarify the definition of art tourism as a unique type of cultural tourism that focuses on the interaction of tourists with contemporary art projects and art communities. Practical relevance. The results of the study can be used in the development of municipal or regional cultural and tourism development programmes that require synergy to attract investors, build a positive international image and create a sustainable cultural environment. It is noted that close cooperation with local artists, government institutions and commercial partners can significantly increase the tourism potential of art events.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals promote global sustainable development. One significant part of the socially focused goals for sustainable development is social justice. Regarding this, the tourism sector has been heavily criticised for not adequately contributing to sustainable development, especially social justice, and is blamed for primarily focusing on profit maximisation and benefitting external stakeholders and businesses, but not the local community. Respectively, this research article explores to what extent sustainable tourism can contribute to social justice for local communities. “Socialising tourism” is a novel concept specifically focusing on social justice for local communities. Thus, this concept has been taken into account when exploring the role of sustainable tourism for social justice. In fulfilment of this aim, this study is based on qualitative research with interviewees from the tourism case study of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. The qualitative research is used to explore how Grootbos, as a private business, contributes to sustainable development with forms of social justice for the local communities. Respectively, the personal understanding of the participants of social justice has been investigated. Grootbos’ impact on the local community has been looked at through the lens of socialising tourism. The research shows that sustainable tourism and socialising tourism can contribute to sustainable development in local communities and their perception of social justice. Nevertheless, there is a discrepancy between social justice according to the literature and the aspects mentioned by the participants, which have probably been elicited due to listening to the local community.

The subject of research in this chapter is analysis of the concept of sustainable agriculture of local communities from the point of view of strategic planning and based on the case study for the model of sustainability of the local community Glogonj. The main goal of the research is to connect the basic aspects of strategic planning with the concept of sustainable development in order to improve the quality of life in local communities. The authors apply the theoretical and practical, and conceptual and methodological frame of research based on the case study, which is oriented on three thematic areas of analysis: (1) sustainable development as a modern concept for improving the quality of life of local communities; (2) basic aspects of strategic planning in function of implementation of the concept of sustainable development on local level; (3) the model of strategic planning of sustainable development of the local community at Glogonj as a case study.

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the theoretical and methodological approach to determining the key characteristics of the assessment of ecosystem assets of territorial communities related to water. The study considers the theoretical and methodological principles of assessing ecosystem assets for sustainable development of local communities. The initial methodological approaches of the accumulated world experience on the assessment of ecosystem services and ecosystem assets of local level territories in the context of three components (ecological, economic and social) in the context of water-related ecosystems are specified. An algorithm for estimating ecosystem assets is proposed. The key guidelines for assessing the ecosystem assets of territorial spatial entities based on European experience are revealed. The list of scientific recommendations for the assessment of water-related ecosystem assets to enhance the capacity of local communities and preserve and restore ecosystems is substantiated. The novelty of the study lies in the proposals for the implementation in Ukrainian practice of general approaches to the methodology of assessment of ecosystem assets and services, according to the recommendations of the international project of the European Commission “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity” (TEEB). The key Euro-benchmarks proposed by the author for the assessment of water-related ecosystem assets will help increase the investment attractiveness of spatial territorial formations and create preconditions for the development of a new economy on an ecosystem basis. Further research has prospects in the following areas: formation of a comprehensive strategic approach to the introduction of ecosystem asset valuation at the local level; development and introduction of effective methodological approaches to the assessment of ecosystem assets for the formation of investment attractiveness of the territory through the use of local natural resources, including water, as ecosystem assets of sustainable spatial development.

With the rapid development of tourist villages, the sense of place among local residents has increasingly influenced their development. In recent years, research on local residents’ sense of place has gained prominence, necessitating a comprehensive literature review to enhance understanding in this area. This study employed systematic evaluation and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methods to examine relevant literature. Utilizing resources such as CNKI and AiritiLibrary, 28 papers were selected from 522 that met the study criteria. These papers were reviewed from three perspectives: physical environment factors, social environment factors, and personal factors. The findings of the study show that, firstly, the influence of a variety of factors is felt in the place of the local residents, including historical, cultural, socio-economic, and natural environmental aspects. These factors together shape the feelings and emotions of the local residents towards their hometown. Secondly, the sense of place is crucial to the identification, dependence, and emotional expression of communities and places. Understanding and stimulating the sense of place of local residents is conducive to the development and growth of local communities. This emotion and sense of identity can promote the sustainable development of local communities and support the development of tourism villages. Finally, a sense of place significantly impacts tourism development, including attitudes and support for tourism. This is crucial to the sustainable development of local communities and the successful development of tourism villages. The participation and support of local residents is vital to the prosperity of the tourism industry, as well as the protection and preservation of local cultural and natural resources. Taken together, the study of local residents’ sense of place provides researchers with important insights into the development of tourism villages. These insights can help guide local policy making and the sustainable development of the tourism industry while emphasizing the critical role of local residents in shaping and supporting local development.

Purpose of the article. The analysis of the specificities of formation of the public library model in the conditions of creation of the united territorial communities (UTC) of the South of Ukraine. The methodology of the research is based on the complex of general methods (analysis, synthesis, generalization, and modeling) and approaches (system, socio-communicative, modernization). The scientific novelty of the work is to conducta comprehensive study of the possibility of choosing libraries of Odesa, Kherson, and Mykolayiv a certain profile and their own path of development in the formation of UTC as centers of legal and regional information in the form of centers of public initiatives, socio-communication platforms, multimedia mobile libraries or multicultural centers. Conclusions. Suggestions that are based on the comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed models of reforming the library network are made regarding the development of the optimal model of functioning of public libraries in the South of Ukraine, which provides for the following important elements. Firstly, automation, that is based on the development and implementation of the newest information technologies, which, in turn, activates the material and technical base modernization, organization structure, and the library staff training; providing new services or products. Secondly, renovating the activity and staff management methods. Thirdly, providing stable financing to UTC possibilities, applying marketing and advertising technologies of library activity popularization according to the UTC functioning. Next, saving the valuable stuff resource and technologies in library staff’ work. Then, organizing the UTC public library work as the informative intelligent center, cultural and leisure space, that is discovered on the Chornomorska library example. Finally, the introduction of non-stationary library services on the basis of the Law of Ukraine«On territorial communities’ cooperation». Key words: public libraries, the South of Ukraine, united territorial communities (UTC), modernization,model, profiling.

An integrated waste-to-energy approach: A resilient energy system design for sustainable communities

Empuriabrava is a cosmopolitan neighborhood located in Costa Brava and one of the world’s largest residential marinas. About sixty-five percent of Empuriabrava’s population are foreign residents from dozens of nationalities. Their profile constitutes an intersection of religions, languages, socio-economic statuses, and migratory histories. Previous research rooted in conflict and contact theories as well as studies based on the superdiversity paradigm underscored the contradictory effect that diversity may have on the sustainable development of local communities. This paper analyzes Empuriabrava’s population daily life and community sustainability. The analysis is based on interviews with local key informants, both natives and immigrants, as well as analysis of statistical and documental sources. The results suggest that while superdiversity provides vast possibilities to empower sustainable development, a perceived lack of local authorities’ involvement diminishes this positive effect. The economic downturn has been observed as enhancing conflict and limiting collaborative initiatives. However, the efficient management of superdiversity in tourism–oriented neighborhoods has been found to be a key asset, which may help to experience rejuvenation instead of decline in the resort life cycle model. In this sense, this paper shows practical sustainability lessons to be learnt from Empuriabrava recent history and present situation.

The purpose of the study is to suggest an interpretation of the local community as a polysubject environment favorable for the development and implementation of various information systems and services aimed at streamlining and intensifying social interaction. Research objectives: 1) to reveal the features of using the paradigm of post-non-classical rationality for analyzing the process of introducing digital technologies into the life of local communities; 2) to identify promising areas of digitalization of social interaction of subjects of local community development. The methodological basis of the study was the theory of types of scientific rationality, adapted in relation to the management of self-developing systems. The digitalization of social relations within the local community is considered on the example of social interaction at the everyday level, economic interaction of mainly individuals and mainly legal entities, as well as financial interaction. It is shown that the developed digital environment is not only a source of improving the quality of life of the population, but also a tool for capitalizing the potential of local communities.KeywordsDigitalizationInformation systemsLocal community

The aim of this chapter is to investigate how three Arctic municipalities affected by mining projects use metagovernance tools to explore, construct and manage interdependent relations with mining companies. The existence of interdependency is a basic premise of governance networks. However, the current debates about governance networks have paid scant attention to how such interdependency actually comes into existence and how network participants can maintain interdependent relations over time. The chapter highlights the differences between the strategies employed by the three municipalities. While two of them resort to highly interventionist methods and participate actively in the dominant governance networks, the third municipality mainly applies hands-off strategies focused on facilitation. The findings show that interdependency is a multifaceted and changeable phenomenon, which different parties can construct and manipulate. In order to do so, institutional designs that facilitate negotiated interaction between the parties are important. The parties must meet in order to explore win-win opportunities. These insights contribute to a better understanding of how municipal actors can contribute to more sustainable development in local communities hosting mining projects.

Argan tree is endemic of Moroccan arid regions, providing socioeconomic and cultural benefits since ancient times. This study identifies the emerging threats for the argan forest, and the opportunities related to the innovative uses of argan products and byproducts. Argan forest is facing pressure from overgrazing, demand for argan oil and nuts, and land degradation, despite its recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the inclusion in the FAO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme. Innovative use and recycling of the waste deriving from argan nuts processing, offer promising opportunities to support a local bio-economy. Argan press cake can be used to integrate livestock feeding, to extract sudan dyes or to produce bioplastics. Argan nut shells can be used to produce environment-friendly and low-cost purifying materials and biochar, or as a source of bioenergy. Argan pulp can be used for bioethanol production or to obtain natural insect repellent. Despite these promising opportunities, the socio-economic impact of innovative uses is still limited. Local population is not sufficiently involved in management and development strategies. To support the sustainable development of local communities, it is necessary to promote a participative approach as well as training and product differentiation among argan women cooperatives.

Despite the widespread concepts of “civic journalism”, “social journalism”, “community-centered journalism”, “citizens journalism”, social projects implemented by the local media remain insufficiently studied. Journalists initiate and organize public discussions on hot issues, defend the rights of low-income families and World War II veterans, raise money for operations. The current research conducted at the School of Journalism at Lomonosov Moscow State University examined the phenomenon of journalists’ participation in solving social issues of local communities. We analyzed the descriptions of 126 social projects by local media and 25 questionnaires. The article discusses the factors that influence decision-making on the implementation of social projects. The authors present the themes, aims of social projects, and 15 types of initiation of social projects, give examples of constructive and nonconstructive relations between journalists and representatives of authorities, business, NGOs in initiation and implementation of social projects. The authors noted that journalists and citizens, to a greater extent than representatives of local authorities, business, NGOs, are initiators of solving social problems and developing the local community. The findings appear to demonstrate that by initiating and realizing social projects, local media are fulfilling the meta-function of the development of civil society. The authors highlight the necessity of supporting journalistic initiatives.

Current decentralization and reform of the administrative and territorial structure of Ukraine, the issue of overcoming inequalities and disparities of territorial development in Ukraine by building an effective system of financial management for united territorial communities (UTCs) as basis for territories’ and country's sustainable development becomes especially relevant. In the analysis, general scientific methods (analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction) and special methods of phenomena and processes analysis (abstraction, econometric and econometric-mathematical modeling) have been used. The study analyzes the effectiveness of intergovernmental fiscal relations system and income distribution within the united territorial communities in the context of inequalities and imbalances as a threat to the territories’ and country's sustainable development. It has been proved that the current system of fiscal equalization of receipts and expenditure has some disadvantages related to basic and reverse subsidies. It has been proposed to determine the maximum allowable limits of reverse subsidy in relation to income growth rates per one UTC's resident applying the logistical curve. Marginal value of the subsidy has been identified. 124Current system of united territorial communities’ expenditures, which includes financing of education, culture, health care, social protection, housing and communal services, and infrastructure development has been analyzed in the study. It has been shown that in the current legal framework regarding united territorial communities, there are no effective guarantees of optimal, balanced budget allocation between UTCs settlements—members. To overcome current disparities in expenditure distribution of a UTC budget, it has been proposed to use economic and mathematical model based on the first-order differential equation, which allows to consider both the dynamics of UTC per capita income and changes in its population.

Introduction. The subject of sustainable development of the territory is the territorial community. It is at the level of territorial communities that sustainable development should be ensured through management and regulatory influences. Therefore, the regulation of sustainable development of territorial communities should be carried out on the basis of strategic and project approaches in the context of the requirements of the European Union. Methods. The theoretical and methodological basis of the article was formed by the fundamental provisions of modern economic science, scientific works of domestic and foreign theorists and practitioners. The following methods were used in the research: system, structural and functional analysis; statistical method. Results. From the standpoint of the targeted approach, the theoretical provisions on the use of strategic and project approaches to regulate the sustainable development of territorial communities in the context of the European Green Deal and the requirements of the European Union were substantiated. The importance of the state regulation of sustainable development of territorial communities (TCs) on the basis of strategic and project approaches was substantiated. The fundamental definitions of scientific research were presented: state regulation of sustainable development of territorial communities, state regional policy, strategic approach to managing the sustainable development of TCs, project approach to the strategic development of TCs. It was installed that the management entities of the Polianska TCs and the functions they perform form the organizational and functional support for the management and regulation of the TCs sustainable development and the application of strategic and project approaches for this purpose. It was stated that the state regulation of sustainable development of TCs should be combined and strengthened by public regulation. It was emphasized that in order to improve the system of regulation of sustainable development of the community, it was necessary to: improve the professional level of local government officials as subjects of management and regulation of the community development; strengthen the subsystem of public regulation of sustainable development of the community; scientific and methodological substantiation of improvement of information and communication aspects of the activities of all participants of regulatory influence on sustainable development of the community (the State, the public, business entities, market infrastructure institutions). Discussion. The article identifies relevant promising areas for further theoretical and practical research that will contribute to improving the system of regulation of sustainable development of territorial communities on the basis of strategic and project approaches. Keywords: state regulation, territorial communities, sustainable development strategic approach, project approach.