COMMUNITY AS A SPACE OF SOCIAL PROTECTION AND SOCIALIZATION: NEW APPROACHES IN SOCIAL WORK

Abstract

Introduction. In modern conditions of social transformations, the community is increasingly seen as a key space for social protection and socialization, combining the resources of the state, local authorities, and public organizations. It acts not only as an administrative unit, but also as a living social environment that provides support, integration, and development of the individual. New approaches in social work are being shaped by decentralization, digitalization, and the need for a barrier-free environment, which allows communities to respond more quickly to challenges, create local programs, and attract additional sources of funding. Purpose and objectives of the article consists in scientifically substantiating the role of the community as a space for social protection and socialization and identifying the tasks of modernizing social work through the implementation of innovative practices. Results. The article explores the concept of community as a space of social protection and socialization, which is becoming increasingly relevant in modern social work. The author emphasizes that the community is considered not only as an administrative unit, but as a living social environment in which mechanisms for support, integration, and personal development are formed. A comparison of practices in different countries demonstrates the diversity of models – from traditional forms of mutual assistance to institutional partnerships between the state, local authorities, and public organizations. Particular attention is paid to European experience, where communities actively cooperate with state structures, implementing municipal programs, inclusive educational and cultural projects, as well as innovative social services, such as online consultations or mobile social services. This allows combining state resources with the activity of local communities, creating space for the integration of different population groups. The community performs the function of social protection, ensuring basic living conditions and access to social services for different categories of the population. The principle of subsidiarity is important, which involves making decisions as close as possible to the person and his individual needs. The development of a support network includes the activities of public organizations, volunteer movements, and local initiatives that create additional resources to assist vulnerable groups: people with disabilities, senior citizens, internally displaced persons, and children in difficult life circumstances. New approaches to community social work are being shaped by decentralization and modern social challenges. One of the key areas is the transfer of broader powers to communities in the field of social protection, which allows them to respond more quickly to problems and create local support programs. An important innovation is the expansion of funding sources – attracting grants, funds from international organizations and partnership projects, which makes social protection more sustainable. At the same time, the principle of barrier-free living is being formed, which ensures the accessibility of the environment for all categories of the population. Thus, the community emerges as a key space for social protection and socialization, capable of adapting to cultural, economic, and political conditions, as well as responding to modern challenges, creating conditions for the development and integration of each individual.