Russian ecovillages as the entities of territorial public self-government

The paper deals with the researches on Russian ecovillages as the entities of territorial public self-government. Studying the role of local communities in local territorial management, especially in rural area, is explained by the increased attention to a problem of changing and developing civil activity of the population in social management of municipalities. The research identifies the main approaches to such basic concepts as the territorial public self-government, local community, and ecovillage. An empirical analysis helps define the generalized typical profile of inhabitants, show the basic principles of interaction, and reveal both performed and envisaged functions of ecovillages. The study notes the role of ecovillages in the sustainable development of rural areas. Based on the data obtained the author concludes that ecovillages as integrated local communities have a great potential for effective territorial public self-government.