FUNCTIONING OF POPULATION SELF-ORGANIZING BODIES IN TOWNS

Problem setting. An important marker of local democracy is the degree of interaction between the City Council with a territorial community, population self-organizing bod- ies and NGOs. They occupy a special place in the local self-government system, since they are as close as possible to the citizens, and therefore aware of their daily needs and interests. Resent research and publication. S. Bula, A. Kalashnikov, K. Zakharenko, J. Jarosz, V. Hladiya, M. Latsyba, V. Brudny, O. Orlovsky and others’ publications were devoted to the research on population self-organization as a part of local self-government. Paper objective. The aim of the article is to determine the role of population self- organizing bodies in the system of local self-government in Ukraine. The objective problem requires solving two problems: to determine the principles and mechanisms of community organizations in the system of local self-government; to study the role of population self-organizing bodies in the system of local self-government in Ukraine. Paper main body. The population self-organizing bodies are the representative bod- ies established by residents who reside legally on the territory of a village, town, city or their parts in order to solve specific local problems. Their functions and powers within legal framework are distinguished in the article. The value and role of population self-organizing bodies in the context of the reforma- tion changes occurring after the Revolution of Dignity are traced. The role of population self-organizing bodies in engaging citizens for decision-making on city-oriented devel- opment and improving the quality of services provided for the population is studied. Strong and weak sides of these institutions activity are defined. It is established that the functioning of these bodies in community can be very effective to meet common interests of people who organize themselves and can become a major help for local self-govern- ment bodies in solving local problems. Conclusions of the research. The average level of population preparedness to self- organization and cooperation is observed. Institutions of local democracy often occupy «conciliation» role in making ready-made solutions in relations with local authorities. However, participation in public councils is an important step in strengthening public participation in decision-making. Further consolidation of public procedures and mechanisms of public influence on local authorities improves the efficiency of local democracy institutions