THE «UNIVERSITY–MUNICIPALITY» PARTNERSHIP: ACTIVATION OF HUMAN CAPITAL IN DEPRESSED RURAL TERRITORIES

Issue № 5, 2026, article № 32, pages 322-332

Section:

Language: Russian

Original language title: ПАРТНЕРСТВО «ВУЗ-МУНИЦИПАЛИТЕТ»: АКТИВАЦИЯ ЧЕЛОВЕЧЕСКОГО КАПИТАЛА В ДЕПРЕССИВНЫХ СЕЛЬСКИХ ТЕРРИТОРИЯХ

Keywords: INSTITUTIONAL TRAP, INTANGIBLE ASSETS, UNIVERSITY-MUNICIPALITY PARTNERSHIP, RURAL TOURISM, THIRD MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY, SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract: The problem of depression in rural areas is associated not so much with a lack of funding, but with the depletion of their internal, intangible potential – human and social capital, which forms an “institutional trap of zero point”. The aim of the study is to test and evaluate the effectiveness of the “university-municipality” partnership model as a low-budget “seed” mechanism capable of activating these resources. The methodology includes a case study based on the example of Azovskoye rural settlement (Krasnodar Krai), a project experiment on the creation of a digital local history and tourism quest guide, a triple verification procedure involving the university, administration and local community, as well as an analysis of budgetary efficiency. The results showed that with the actual costs of the municipality of 35 thousand rubles, the return on investment (ROI) ranged from 757% to 1900%, and the created product acted as a catalyst for cooperation and the formation of social capital. The practical significance lies in proving the high efficiency and strategic complementarity of the model in relation to large-scale state development programs, which justifies its replication as a mandatory preparatory stage for depressed territories.

Authors: Ilyasova Elena Valeryevna, Krylova Ekaterina Musaevna