Šiame darbe yra nagrinėjamas socialinių paslaugų administravimas savivaldos lygmenyje, kuris yra aptariamas teoriškai, pritaikant teoriją atliktam tyrimui Birštono savivaldybėje.Darbas buvo rašomas remiantis viešojo administravimo pagrindais: įstatymine, institucine, funkcine bazėmis, pagrindinį dėmesį skiriant socialinių paslaugų organizavimui ir teikimui, finansiniams ir žmogiškiesiems resursams, kontrolei. Darbe iškeliamas tikslas - išanalizuoti socialinių paslaugų administravimą savivaldos lygmenyje, išskiriant Birštono savivaldybės atvejį. Šio tikslo siekiama aptariant viešosios politikos įgyvendinimo modelių teoriją; supažindinant su socialinių paslaugų klasifikacijomis; išskiriant pagrindinius socialinių paslaugų raidos etapus; aptariant įstatyminę bazę ir institucinę sąrangą bei nagrinėjant Birštono savivaldybės socialinių paslaugų administravimą, tuo pačiu apibūdinant ir Birštono seniūnijos, kaip Birštono savivaldybės administracijos struktūrinio padalinio, veiklą. Praktiniam socialinių paslaugų nagrinėjimui ir vertinimui darbe naudojamasi Birštono savivaldybėje atlikto interviu medžiaga, kuri yra susisteminta ir pateikiama viešosios politikos įgyvendinimo modelių kontekste. Nemažai dėmesio darbe skiriama Birštono parapijos „Carito“ teikiamoms socialinėms paslaugoms. Birštono savivaldybės socialinių paslaugų administravimo tyrimas padėjo įsigilinti į socialinių paslaugų administravimo politiką žemesniuose valstybiniuose instituciniuose lygiuose – savivaldos lygmenyje... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The main aim of this work is to find out the social services administration at the municipal level in Birštonas.Reaching the main aim and set tasks of this work, was used such methods: 1) Analysis of literature and documents. First of all, the work was written according to the public administration elements – law, institutions, structure and functions of institutions. The main attention was paid to social services administration at the municipal level: to the social services management; planning; financial and human recourses; control. In the work was defined social services definitions; introduced the main stages of its’ development; was analyzed law, regulating social services in Lithuania; also was written about all institutions, managing social services. 2) Half structured interview. Secondly, to do the work’s analysis was chosen half structured interview. The interview was made in 2008 13 and 14 days of March. It was made at Birštonas municipality in the Social support and child rights protection subdivision and in one of nonprofit organization „Caritas”.

The UN committee on CRC have criticized Sweden on many occasions for differences in relation to implementation of the CRC at municipal level. Studies notes that there’s existing challenges to realize the convention. This thesis studies the implementation process which is also a part of the policy process in two Swedish municipalities where the local government has come to a decision to implement the CRC in governing documents and include the CRC in all decision concerning children and young people up to eighteen years old. The chosen municipalities in the study differ in area, number of population and number of employees. The thesis purpose is to increase the understanding of how the implementation of the CRC in two Swedish municipalities works, and what strategy uses for the implementation of CRC. The purpose is also to identify similarities and differences in the municipalities way to achieve a full implementation according to Löpa linan ut-modell, and to investigate whether the official’s power and capacity for action have an impact on the implementation process. The theoretical framework has been based on theories of implementation process, and the finding have been compiled qualitative text analysis. The study shows how far the municipalities have come with the implementation of CRC, why they have come so far, how much work they have left to do to achieve a full implementation, and finally the studie finds the power of official’s and their capacity for action have an impact of the implementations progress and success in both municipalities.

Climate change poses significant risks to the food system, directly impacting food security and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. This study examines the critical role of local municipalities in planning for the effects of climate change on food systems through the case of the New River Valley, located in Southwestern Virginia. This study utilizes a qualitative participatory research design, including semi-structured interviews and focus groups with both food system and municipality stakeholders in the New River Valley region. Guided by Stroh's Systemic Change Process, the study seeks to advance climate adaptation planning in the region through the implementation of the first stage of the process, called "building a foundation for change." This stage involves identifying key stakeholders, getting them involved in the process, and establishing common ground. Through facilitation, stakeholders build capacity for systems thinking with a focus on collaboration. The findings of this study will inform the ongoing efforts of the Blacksburg Sustainability Department in planning for climate change transformation at a local level. This research is significant in that it addresses the gap in the literature around how municipalities are planning for climate resiliency in the food system, provides insight into the use of interviews and focus groups to bridge the creative tension gap in collaborative problem-solving through a systems thinking approach, and informs policy decisions made by local government. This study's findings have the potential to inform community-engaged efforts to plan for climate change while envisioning a more resilient and fair food system. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / In this study, researchers explore how climate change affects our food system and the steps local communities can take to address these challenges, with a focus on the New River Valley in Southwestern Virginia. By using interviews and group discussions with various stakeholders, including those involved in the food system and local government, we aim to enhance climate adaptation planning in the region. To achieve this, we focus on "building a foundation for change," which involves identifying key stakeholders, getting them involved, and finding common ground for collaboration. Through this approach, we promote systems thinking and cooperation among stakeholders. The insights from this research will be valuable for the Blacksburg Sustainability Department as they work towards climate change resiliency at the local level. This study addresses a gap in the existing literature by examining how municipalities plan for climate resilience in the food system. It also sheds light on the benefits of using interviews and group discussions to foster creative problem-solving through a systems thinking perspective. The findings of this study can contribute to community efforts in planning for climate change, with a vision for a more vibrant and equitable food system. Climate change impacts us all and understanding how local communities can respond and adapt is essential for a sustainable future.

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between trust in the police and exposure to crime against an individual as a measure of crime at a municipal level. Attempts to establishing a direction of causality between trust and crime levels was done. A secondary analysis of the material from The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention and The Swedish Crime Survey from 2021 constituted the data that was used. The research method used was multiple regression analysis and panel regression for the question of causality. The results showed that a statistically significant relationship between the variables existed. The panel regression analysis showed that it was not possible to establish a direction of causality.

In the light of the Convention on the Rights of the Child gaining legal status in Sweden this thesis examines the implementation of the convention on a municipal level, specifically the implementation of Article 12 and children’s right to participate in all matters affecting them. With this purpose objectives and means are examined and compared between two municipalities: the municipality of Uppsala and the municipality of Örebro. By creating a frame of analysis based on previous research and theory on children’s participation, a text analysis has been conducted on key municipal policy documents and a case study has been conducted of municipal channels for participation. In conclusion the implementation of Article 12 differs between the municipalities where the responsibility to realize children’s right to participate is a shared responsibility in Örebro municipality in comparison to Uppsala municipality where the responsibility lies with some departments. In Örebro municipality children’s participation is often defined as a right while it in Uppsala municipality often is defined as an instrument to reach other goals. The case study emphasizes the importance of critically examining who actually participates in initiatives for children’s participation, who has power over the agenda and with what effects. For the realization of children’s right to participate initiatives must be inclusive, important and with clear intentions and effects.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has repeatedly criticized Sweden for the differences regarding the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) at the municipal level. Even so, studies show that there is a political will in the municipalities when it comes to realize the CRC. It indicates that there are challenges in terms of implementation. This thesis examines the implementation process in two Swedish municipalities where the local government has decided to implement the CRC. The purpose is to identify and describe the challenges that exist in the municipalities regarding the implementation and to determine to what extent the challenges can be influenced from the political level. The theoretical framework is grounded on theories of policy implementation and the findings have been compiled through interviews and qualitative text analyses. The study identifies challenges that are related, inter alia, to the ability to evaluate and control the implementation and the findings implies that the majority of the identified challenges can be influenced from the political level.

The thesis deals with the legal regulation of air protection on the municipal level. It is focused on providing an overview of legal instruments which are available on the municipal level, as well as the evaluation of their sufficiency and efficiency and point out the most significant instruments and some shortcomings of recent legislation. Some chosen instruments embodied in Czech law are compared with relevant German regulation. Also some specific, arguable constitutional aspects are taken in consideration and evaluated. The thesis provides a comparison of the old and the new Act on the Protection of Air at the field of interest.

Atliekų valdymo problema šiandien aktuali daugeliui ES valstybių, įgyvendinančių ES atliekų valdymo politiką. LR dar tik žengia pirmuosius žingsnius, pertvarkydama atliekų valdymo sistemą. Atliekų tvarkymas įstatymuose apibrėžiamas priemonė, bet ne kaip nuoseklus valdymo procesas. Tai sukelia nesusipratimų valdžios struktūrose. Didžiausia atsakomybė tenka savivaldybėms, jos įgyvendina atliekų tvarkymą tiesiogiai, o valdymo klausimus turinčios spręsti valdžios institucijos, dubliuodamos viena kitos veiklą, nepriima radikalių sprendimų, kurie šiandien jau būtini. Tvirtas požiūris į šią problemą ir raginimas kurti atliekų deginimą buvo išsakytas ir pačios prezidentės Dalios Grybauskaitės 2009 m. rugsėjo 2d, Kaune vykusiame susitikime su Kauno miesto savivaldybės vadovais, raginusios greitu metu imtis veiklos, kadangi žinoma, jog LR yra remiama ES, yra ir įsipareigojusi ES. Išanalizuotos direktyvos, įstatymai, planai, ataskaitos įgalina teigti, kad būtinas valdančių struktūrų greitas sprendimų priėmimas ir tikslų įgyvendinimas, apibrėžiant įstatymuose tiksliau institucijų pareigas ir užduotis, imantis sukauptų atliekų gyvavimo ciklo pratęsimo, įvertinant LR valstybės piliečių sąmoningumą atliekų tvarkyme (diegiamos naujovės įsitvirtina negreitai, o atliekos kaupiasi sparčiai). / Waste management problem in today's relevant for many EU countries to comply with EU waste management policy. Republic of Lithuania yet just takes its first steps in restructuring of the waste management system. Waste management legislation is defined as a tool rather than as a management process. This leads to misunderstandings inside power structures. The main responsibility lies with the municipalities, they implement waste management directly, and the authorities having to address governance issues, duplicating each other's activities does not accept radical solutions, which today are essential. Robust approach to this problem and call for the incineration of waste has been expressed by president Dalia Grybauskaite on 2009 September 2nd at a meeting with Kaunas municipality heads, she called in short time to take action, since it is known that RL is supported by the EU, is committed to the EU. Analyzed directives, laws, plans, reports allows to assert that the rapid decision-making and implementation of the objectives is necessary for managing structures, defining duties and tasks of the authorities more precisely, through the extension of the life cycle of the waste generated, taking the RL state citizens' awareness of waste management (innovation far from gaining ground, and waste builds up quickly).

Background: In Sweden, organized crime has become more varied and cross-border which has led to change in the nature and the scope of organized crime. The national crime prevention program – Tillsammans mot brott (TMB) was presented by the Government of Sweden to increase security and prevent crime.  Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate how municipal officials experience barriers and facilitators regarding the implementation of the national crime prevention program at local level. Methods: A qualitative method was used to gain in-depth knowledge about the study aim. A purposive sampling method was used, and a semi-structed interviews were conducted with eight participants from eight different municipalities. An inductive content analysis was used, and an ecological framework was applied to analyze the collected data.  Result: The result showed that the municipality officials’ experience of barriers and facilitators regarding the implementing TMB could be divided into two categories; (i) internal work processes for implementing crime prevention initiatives, and (ii) external work direction within crime prevention collaboration.  Conclusion: A public health approach enables to tackle innovative and holistic the occurrence and consequences of crimes since it involves working evidence-based with a range of stakeholders to address the multicausal origins of crimes

Background: Agenda 2030 is newly launched, thus little research has been conducted about the implementation at the municipal level. To increase the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) feasibility requires understanding which elements can facilitate the policy implementation process with the goal of healthy and sustainable societies. Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate the officials’ experiences of implementing the Agenda 2030 at the municipal level. Methods: A qualitative method with an inductive approach was used to address the study aim. A purposive sampling of participants was conducted, and a semi-structured interview was used as the data collection method. In total, ten informants from ten different municipalities participated. A manifest content analysis was conducted to analyze the collected data. Result: The implementation strategies that were used for mobilizing the community to achieve the Agenda 2030 could be divided into internal and external strategies. The internal strategies focused on knowledge enhancing activities and the integration of the SDGs into municipal existing steering documents. The external strategies focused on establishing partnerships and involving the local citizen in the community development. Conclusion: The experiences of the officials indicated that health promotion approaches, and the guiding principles can be valuable tools for municipalities to facilitate the policy implementation process related to Agenda 2030.