Abstract
The processes of regional digitalization are one of the important tasks of state policy in Ukraine. This primarily concerns the digital transformation of territorial communities in communication and information infrastructure; digitalization of public services; e-democracy tools and their implementation in social spheres; organizational and resource support for digitalization; and information security.
The authors of the article conducted an analysis of social service digitalization programs in which Ukrainian communities participate (community informatization program, smart community call center, mobile suitcase for Administrative Service Centers (ASC), community chatbot, and participatory budget).
The geographical scope of the study covered four regions of Ukraine (Vinnytsia, Volyn, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa). The communities involved in implementing digitalization programs for social services were selected through open competitions, during which factors such as the state of digital infrastructure, the infrastructure for providing public services (including social services), the motivation of local government bodies to adopt new technologies, and the level of development of civil society institutions were considered.
To achieve the goal, the authors used methods of analysis, synthesis, and systematization of scientific sources to define basic concepts; the comparison method to identify the features of digitalizing social services for vulnerable groups; and the analysis of the regulatory and legal framework to determine the legal foundations for digitalizing social services for vulnerable groups in Ukrainian communities.
It has been established that the implementation of social service digitalization programs used in Ukrainian communities, including work with vulnerable groups opens opportunities for open and transparent public administration focused on the interests of people and aimed at developing an information society. This includes the use of information technologies and digital solutions; conducting economic activities based on effectiveness and efficiency principles; creating conditions for the development of informatization and digitalization infrastructure; and ensuring sustainable innovative development of the community as a whole.
The study highlights the advantages of implementing social service digitalization programs for both local self-government bodies and community residents, including vulnerable groups.
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Acknowledgments
The research was conducted within the framework of the scientific project at the Department of Social Pedagogy and Social Work of the Faculty of Psychology, Social Work, and Special Education at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University. The theme of the research is “Socialization of Vulnerable Population Groups in the Context of Territorial Community Development in Ukraine,” with registration number 0121 U112043. The project duration is from June 2021 to June 2026.
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Gunko, S., Lekholetova, M., Liakh, V. (2025). Digitalization of Social Services for Vulnerable Groups in Territorial Communities of Ukraine. In: Smyrnova-Trybulska, E., Chen, NS., Kommers, P., Morze, N. (eds) E-Learning and Enhancing Soft Skills. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-82243-8_17
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