What Actions and Why Can Be Considered as a Sociocultural Project

In conditions when a project, including a social or cultural one, is called a multitude of heterogeneous actions, it is relevant to derive a definition of a sociocultural project. The purpose of the article is to develop a system of criteria by which a certain proposal or idea can be classified more or less accurately as a sociocultural project. Based on a summary of sources studying project thinking and project activity, the mandatory characteristics of a project are provided. In particular, the author clarified the relationship between the concepts of "project thinking" and "project activity"; emphasized the awareness of project actions to create something new and the need for teamwork on the project; explained the interpretation of a project as a way for problem solving (in a sociocultural project, these are the problems of another person or group of people); explained the project "development" from the reality. The problem itself is an incomplete or imperfect situation found during the pre-project analysis, which becomes more complete or perfect thanks to the project actions. In relation to the socio-cultural sphere, the value component of the project process is stipulated and the author's definition of a socio-cultural project is derived. The author understands it as the creation of conditions or products that change (at least partially) the way of life or model of behavior of other people, including and above all during their practical interaction with each other. The general condition of a socio-cultural project of any scale is a change in the value orientations of the project participants, which in turn is dictated by certain attitudes of its initiators. Further, it is shown how the derived features can be used as a criterion for classifying certain actions as socio-cultural design. This is especially important for the expertise of grant applications and the assessment of student projects. To enhance the accuracy of the definition of a socio-cultural project, the article derives differences between a socio-cultural project and activity as such and artistic activity.