Local communities building in Russia: practices and mechanisms

Abstract

Local communities are the basic category for creating a successful political group to defend their own interests in the modern urban space. It is joint problem solving and cultural projects that can become the basis for building close horizontal ties and increasing social capital. The main goal of the work is to demonstrate that participation in politics begins with a simple exit of citizens from their apartment to the entrance or to the courtyard, where the search for problems will help to find like-minded people. The creation of the local community will provide the initiative group with a whole set of tools for participation in the political process. The creation of local communities, in our opinion, will help turn disparate groups of citizens into political associations capable of implementing projects and influencing local authorities. In addition, local communities will be able to break down the “glass barrier” of mistrust in Russian society and popularize the practice of creating local communities in the eyes of citizens.