# 110 596-600 View full article

УДК 316.472.4:332.122(477.87)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36887/2415-8453-2026-2-110

Pityulych Mykhaylo,
Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Finance and Banking of the Uzhhorod National University,
Director of the Transcarpathian Regional Center for Socio-Economic and Humanitarian Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Uzhhorod, Ukraine,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2787-0378

JEL classification: Z13, R58, D71, O15

The article develops an integrated theoretical and methodological understanding of the social capital of the mountain territories of Transcarpathia and substantiates its role in strengthening civil society, local self-government, and the socio-economic resilience of territorial communities. Social capital is interpreted as an activated potential of relationships based on trust, reciprocity, solidarity, shared norms, and the capacity for collective action, whose implementation generates social or economic effects. The nano-, micro-, meso-, and macro-levels of its formation are systematized, and its key functions are identified: reducing transaction costs, facilitating informal coordination, mobilizing resources, decreasing social vulnerability, supporting self-organization, and strengthening institutional trust. The specific features of mountain territories are revealed, where dense family and neighborhood ties and strong local identity coexist with limited access to infrastructure, digital communications, education, professional networks, and formal participation institutions. The research uses analytical-descriptive, deductive, structural-functional, and comparative-statistical methods. Its empirical basis consists of the results of sociological monitoring conducted in the mountain settlements of the Transcarpathian region in 2020–2021. The analysis identifies a contradiction between declared civic responsibility and low actual participation in political parties, public organizations, and collective actions. Significant distrust in political institutions, predominantly superficial interest in politics, and widespread disbelief in the ability to defend one’s rights are observed. At the same time, the survey demonstrates a reserve of civic engagement expressed in respondents’ willingness to participate in activities that bring public benefit. The proposed directions for increasing social capital include local communication platforms, civic education, support for community leadership, digital inclusion, transparency of local authorities, and the institutionalization of volunteer and civic practices.

Keywords: social capital, trust, civic engagement, political participation, mountain territories, Transcarpathia, territorial community, local self-government.

 

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The article was received 31.05.2026

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Pityulych M. 31.05.2026. Social capital as a factor of socio-economic development of mountain territories of transcarpathia. Ukrainian Journal of Applied Economics and Technology. 2026. №2. 596-600 pp. https://doi.org/10.36887/2415-8453-2026-2-110

Quote article, MLA style

Pityulych M. Social capital as a factor of socio-economic development of mountain territories of transcarpathia. Ukrainian Journal of Applied Economics and Technology. 31.05.2026. https://doi.org/10.36887/2415-8453-2026-2-110