A conceptual model of the ecological and economic development of the mountainous territorial communities of the Transcarpathian region in the context of the implementation of the administrative-territorial reform and decentralization has been proposed, it makes it possible to effectively use their natural resource, production and human potential, to increase the competitiveness of local economic systems due to the greening of economic activities. The main reasons that determine the deep differentiation in the level of social and economic development of mountain communities in comparison with the communities of the foothills and lowlands of the natural and economic zones of the region have been analyzed. Taking into account the creative factors – the presence of unique natural resources, mineral waters, landscape and climatic zones, forests, significant reserves of groundwater and surface water, historical traditions and features of their ethnic group – a model of ecological and economic development of mountain territorial communities has been proposed. The essence, stages of formation have been revealed and the range of tasks to be solved at each of these stages has been determined. Perspective directions of development of mountain communities, which brings them closer to the smart community, have been substantiated.

One of the dominant features of modern civilisation is the growing correlation between economic growth and the quality of its human potential, the level and condition of which are vital components of national wealth and the driving force of economic prosperity. Hence the increased attention to the analysis of current trends in demographic development of the population. This particularly concerns the lower administrative-territorial level, because it is there that the demoreproducing processes are developed and the life processes of the population take place. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the main trends of demographic development of the population of small rural settlements of Zakarpatska Oblast and identify factors that generate depopulation phenomena and, consequently, formulate recommendations for minimising the impact of said factors on the demographic processes among the rural population. In accordance with the set purpose, the study analyses the main trends in the demographic development of the population of small rural settlements in the Zakarpatska Oblast over the past 30 years. The demo-reproducing processes were studied considering the population structure in terms of natural and economic zones of the region, covering small villages of lowland, foothill, and mountain natural and economic zones. It was established that vertical zoning affects not only the conditions of business affairs and entrepreneurial activity of the population, but also the dynamics of natural population growth. Considerable attention is paid to the analysis of the dynamics of change in the population living in small settlements. The study identifies the main reasons that determine the strengthening of depopulation in small villages of the mountain natural economic zone. The authors prove the fact of decrease in the population density of small villages with their remoteness from regional centres and cities. The paper also features an analysis of changes in the age and sex structure of the population of small rural settlements, as well as identifies factors that deform the sex and age structure of the population, the effect of which in the near future will lead to decrease in the number of the economically active population and increase in budgetary expenditures for the maintenance of retired persons. The authors provide sound justification of the necessity of measures aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of demographic policy, thereby improving the quality of the human potential of the rural population, as well as preserving and reproducing its life and labour potential