SOCIAL PROJECTING AS A MECHANISM FOR ADAPTING INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF SOCIAL WORK IN UKRAINE

Abstract

Introduction. As the social service delivery system is being reformed, the need to study and implement relevant international practices and standards has become increasingly pressing. However, the mechanical implementation of foreign models without taking into account Ukraine’s specific realities and local context does not always yield positive outcomes. This highlights the growing importance of social project design as a mechanism for adapting international experience to national conditions. Aim and objectives of the study. The study aims to analyze social projecting as a mechanism for adapting international (primarily European) experience in social work in Ukraine, as well as to clarify its potential, stages, tools, and mechanisms of implementation in the context of the Ukrainian social environment. The objectives of the study are: 1) to identify the key stages, tools, and mechanisms for implementing social projecting in the context of adapting international experience; 2) to develop practical recommendations for the effective use of social projecting in the process of modernizing social work in Ukraine based on European standards. Results. The research team successfully identified the key stages of implementing social projecting in this field: identifying the social problem, studying international experience, designing a local solution, piloting, and scaling the results within the social services system. Analyzing the positive experience of using a step-by-step model of social projecting highlights the importance of intersectoral cooperation, inclusivity, and a focus on sustainable development. A promising direction for further research is the development of social projecting models in social work based on target groups, as well as their application in the long term.