Overview of conceptual basis and models of rural development

The article examines the excellent social and economic conditions of urban and rural areas. They create the prerequisites for the growth of tensions and the formation of disparities, which served as the basis for the administrative and territorial reform in Ukraine in 2017-2019. The periodicity of the evolution of the conceptual foundations of rural development in the EU countries is determined. Currently, the concepts of sustainable, endogenous and inclusive development are key. The set of concepts was transformed into a new paradigm of rural development. Its main principles are the participation of many actors, multisectorality and multilevel development. Differences in the interpretation of essential features of rural development models by domestic and foreign researchers are highlighted, which reflect changes in rural development priorities and mechanisms for their achievement. It was established that the transition from a sectoral to a multi-sectoral (redistributive) model of rural development is actually supported in Ukraine. Attention is focused on increasing the incomes of rural residents due to the diversification of sub-sectors of agriculture, while insufficient attention is paid to the development of social capital, environmental protection, and the expansion of legal and political abilities. The need to transition to the «Smart Villages» model has been proven. It is considered in 6 dimensions, namely : transparent, fast, decentralized management; compliance of the IT infrastructure with the capabilities of the population; development of natural, human and economic potentials; the need to build hard and soft infrastructure; ensuring comfortable living conditions and ease of access to services; identification and marketing of the village brand. The priority of the following areas of rural development in the post-war period of reconstruction of Ukraine was determined: development of human and social capital, formation of inclusive and open management structures, regain of hard and soft infrastructure networks.