PUBLIC-NON-GOVERNMENTAL SECTOR PARTNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, THE CASE OF IGNALINA DISTRICT

Abstract

The article analyzes the partnership between the public and non-governmental sectors in the context of the preservation of cultural ecosystem services, based on the case of the Ignalina district. The aim of the study is to analyze the partnership between the public and non-governmental sectors in the context of the preservation of cultural ecosystem services and to provide recommendations for strengthening the partnership. The study applied the methods of scientific literature analysis, document analysis, systematization and generalization of publicly available municipal data. The analysis showed that the partnership between the public and non-governmental sectors at the local government level creates prerequisites for more effective preservation of cultural ecosystem services, involvement of local communities and use of cultural and natural potential. The case of the Ignalina district revealed that partnership is most often expressed through the implementation of community initiatives, participatory budgeting, and the preservation of cultural heritage, public spaces and recreational areas. At the same time, it was found that the development of partnership is limited by insufficient financial and human resources, fragmented planning and uneven involvement of stakeholders. It is concluded that sustainable public-nongovernmental sector partnerships are an important prerequisite for the preservation of cultural ecosystem services, therefore it is appropriate to strengthen partnership planning, inclusion, and long-term inter-institutional cooperation at the municipal level.