The role of local governments in improving the living standards of the region’s population

The modern Russian state strives for effective functioning, and the key issue of this process is the reform of the local government system aimed at social development and improving the living standards of the population. The study analyzes the mechanisms for improving the citizens’ quality of life in the context of a dynamically changing socioeconomic level of regional development. The study is aimed at analysis and assessment of the role of local governments in creating real opportunities for social development and qualitative improvement of the population living standards in the region. Particular attention is paid to the interaction of regional and local authorities in the field of improving socio-economic well-being of the region as in the case of Leningrad Oblast. Key outcome of the study is identification of possible areas of interaction between various levels of government to achieve an improvement in living standards of citizens through the effective functioning of local governments as part of the strategic development of the Russian Federation.