INITIATIVE PROJECTS AS ONE OF THE PROMISING FORMS OF CIVIL PARTICIPATION IN RESOLUTION OF ISSUES OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY (BY THE MATERIALS OF THE ALTAI TERRITORY)

In the article, in the context of the topic of socio-economic development of the territory, the mechanism for introducing a new and promising form of citizens» participation in solving issues of local importance — initiative projects is considered. They involve providing the population of municipalities with the opportunity to develop and put forward for consideration by the authorities their own projects aimed at improving and developing their place of residence. Initiative projects contribute to the strengthening of trusting relations between the population and authorities, their mutually beneficial cooperation, more rational use of budgetary funds, the growth of residents» interest in improving the comfort of the micro-territory, the emergence of new and more effective approaches to solving common pressing issues. The authors consider the legal and organizational foundations for the implementation of initiative projects, give practical examples confirming the importance of real interaction between the authorities and the population in the course of the process under study. The role of the population in shaping the practice of initiative budgeting and the need to introduce new forms of involving citizens in local problems are emphasized. Attention is focused on the relevance of involving residents in a specific management process and increasing the interest of all its participants in the final result of joint activities.