LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN DECISION-MAKING ON TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT CONFLICTS: THE POTENTIAL OF PROCESS AND PROJECT APPROACHES

The article substantiates the author's concept of using the process and project approaches to the participation of local communities in decision-making related to territorial development conflicts. The ability to influence decision-making through institutional mechanisms for coordinating interests is one of the key conditions for using the constructive potential of conflict. The limitation or absence of such opportunities leads to a destructive scenario of conflict development associated with delays in the implementation of development projects or their abandonment. The process approach entails the involvement of communities within the framework of routine political and managerial procedures; its potential in the implementation of development projects is limited. The project approach allows communities to be involved in all stages of project design and implementation, ensuring that they are supported and their interests are considered. The study identifies the main mechanisms of community participation within each approach, the expected outcomes of community participation, and the differences between the approaches. Typical mistakes in the process of community involvement and their negative consequences are also identified. By analyzing three conflict situations in Krasnodar, the project approach is used to assess their development prospects. Further development of the author's concept and its use in the implementation of regional development projects are highlighted