The Municipality's Development Strategy as a Tool for Supporting Social Participation and Local Initiatives
Purpose: The aim of this article is to present the municipality's development strategy as a tool supporting social participation and local initiatives. It analyzes the mechanisms for involving residents, non-governmental organizations, and auxiliary units in the process of creating and implementing the strategy, as well as the importance of grassroots activities for the sustainability of development effects. The article analyzes communication in local community management based on a 2025 study on the importance of communication in public administration, its functions, directions of information flow, and challenges for local government. The empirical part presents the results of a survey among village leaders concerning the quality of cooperation with the local government, forms of contact, and the role of the village leader in the co-decision-making process. Design/methodology/approach: The study is theoretical and analytical in nature, based on a review of the literature, legal acts, and case studies. SWOT analysis was used as a tool for assessing strategic conditions, and participatory models, including the participatory-expert model, were identified. Findings: A municipal development strategy that takes into account mechanisms for public consultation and local initiatives (participatory budgeting, local initiatives, tri-sector partnerships) increases the accuracy of the diagnosis, acceptance of the document, and effectiveness of the implementation of objectives. The inclusion of auxiliary units and residents in the planning process promotes the building of social capital and transparency of activities. Practical implications: The use of participatory methods in strategy development allows for better adaptation of the document to the real needs of the local community, strengthens social control, and minimizes the risk of conflicts. The mechanisms indicated can be used by local governments as tools to increase the effectiveness of development management. Originality/value: The article emphasizes the importance of strategy as not only a planning instrument, but also a social one, integrating various forms of participation and grassroots initiatives. It points to practical models of cooperation (participatory-expert, tri-sectoral) and the role of consultation in building sustainable local development effects.