Abstract: The subject of the study is the activities of youth organizations in solving social problems. The list of these key institutions includes youth public organizations, which are classified as socially oriented non-profit organizations. The relevance of this work is due to the fact that today the participation of young people in public organizations contributes to the formation and development of civil and social self-awareness, the development of special competencies and personal qualities among young people. But in addition to personal development, such associations are capable of working in solving major social problems. The directions of financing socially-oriented NPOs are analyzed. The regional features of the implementation of youth policy in the Irkutsk region are shown. The main conclusion of the study is that youth public organizations can prove themselves and show their ability to make an invaluable contribution to solving such problems. To assess the contribution of youth organizations in solving social problems, a questionnaire survey was conducted, revealing the motivational attitudes and priority areas of activity of youth participating in the activities of public organizations. Based on the results of the study, it was revealed that when interacting with the state, the non-profit sector can make an invaluable contribution to solving the social needs of residents of the region. Based on the results obtained, practical recommendations were proposed for improving the activities of youth public organizations in solving social problems.

Abstract: The subject of the study is public opinion about the activities of non-profit organizations. The third sector in modern conditions of social development plays a key role in social support for citizens. Low awareness of the work of NPOs, as well as a low level of trust on the part of the population, do not fully allow non-profit organizations to be actively involved in solving social problems in the region, to reveal the possibilities of effectively compensating for imperfections in public services, and to increase self-sufficiency and self-employment of the population. The purpose of the study was to study the perception of the activities of non-profit organizations by society, as well as to compare the results in different regions of the Russian Federation. The study was carried out in two stages. At the first stage, the results of a survey of citizens of Russian regions (Irkutsk region, Republic of Buryatia) about their ideas and perceptions of the activities of non-profit public organizations were analyzed. At the second stage, an analysis of similar studies in other territories was carried out. Based on the study, the following conclusions can be drawn: the study showed that, in general, the population of the studied regions of the Russian Federation is aware of the activities of non-profit organizations, however, the lowest level was identified among residents of the Irkutsk region, while residents of the Republic of Buryatia and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra showed higher awareness. It should be noted that the surveyed residents more often use «social networks» as sources of information about the ongoing work of NPOs. Based on the results of the analysis, a list of recommendations was formulated for the management of non-profit organizations.

Abstract: This article presents the results of a content analysis of jokes about the COVID-19 pandemic published on various social platforms. The purpose of the study is to identify common sentiments and main themes among the masses in the context of this crisis. The research method was a content analysis of 400 jokes published on various social platforms and Internet sites. The analysis was carried out in two stages. Thus, at the first, anecdotes were studied that reflected a direct relationship to politics, government, and certain political figures, while at the second, anecdotes related to the inconveniences that appeared in everyday life, in connection with the introduction of restrictive measures, were examined.
According to the results of the content analysis, jokes about coronavirus infection can be considered as an important tool for studying public opinion and identifying the main difficulties faced by people during the pandemic. Since such humorous statements often reflect the general mood of society and, in general, people’s attitude towards the current situation, they help cope with stress and anxiety in a difficult situation.
Thus, during the pandemic, jokes were more often used in the context of criticism of government authorities and specific political figures, expressing an “against” position on the issue of vaccination. And also in order to ridicule restrictive measures, namely, jokes about wearing a mask, using a QR code, lockdown, remote mode during work or study, and penalties are highlighted.
Note that the article also raises other topics, which include: fear and anxiety about possible infection with COVID-19, humor on the topic of self-isolation and remote work or study.

Abstract: The subject of the study is the organization of social work with elderly citizens through cultural and leisure activities. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that in society at present, the problem of socio-cultural development of older citizens plays a huge role in their adaptation after retirement. The solution to this problem in the social context should be sought in the cultural and leisure sphere. The successful experience of a non-profit organization in the implementation of projects for elderly citizens is considered on the example of the G. Shelekhov Charitable Foundation. The purpose of the study is to study successful practices in organizing social work with senior citizens in the direction of improving leisure activities, the introduction of these practices into the activities of a charitable organization. In the study of the research problem, general scientific methods were used, such as: analysis, synthesis, comparison. As a research method, the questionnaire survey method was taken as a basis. The comparative analysis made it possible to consider successful practices of organizing cultural and leisure activities for senior citizens of different regions of the Russian Federation. The results of the study represented the existing experience accumulated by the G. Shelekhov Charitable Foundation in the implementation of socially significant projects through the development of innovative types of socio-cultural activities on the example of a specific municipality. The practical significance of the work consists in generalizing the experience of organizing leisure activities of elderly citizens. The results of the study can be implemented in the work of social institutions, non-profit organizations in order to improve the organization of cultural and leisure activities of the elderly.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the quality and efficiency assessment of state and municipal services rendered by the multifunctional centers. Within the modern system of public economic relations, much attention is paid to the effectiveness of state administration and activity of executive branches of various levels. The conduct of administrative reform in the Russian Federation became a logical response to the needs of the developing country. An extensive network of multifunctional centers, which amount exceeded 2,500 nationwide, actively renders state and municipal services to the citizens. It questions the quality of services and level of satisfaction of the applicants. Relevance of this study is substantiated by the fact that in recent years, according to the official statistics, there has been observed positive trends: higher level of convenience, reliability, accessibility of state and municipal services. At the same time, persistent dynamics and modification of conditions requires constant improvement in providing services to the population. This sphere is extremely important, since millions of citizens of the Russian Federation along with foreign citizens use the services of multifunctional centers. Quality and efficiency assessment of state and municipal services is based on various approaches that consider integral performance indexes and reflect the key parameters of activity of the entire institution and its elements (structural departments and separate employees). The article presents the results of expert survey and method of “efficiency/inefficiency” factors in assessing the quality of provision of state and municipal services to the population. In the course of research, the author revealed the problems of quality assessment, as well as made recommendations on the improvement of performance and quality of provision of state and municipal services.