Peer Review of Development Potential of Socially Oriented Non-Profit Organizations in Kuzbass

Social development of single-industry towns of Kuzbass largely depends on the activities of socially oriented non-profit organizations (NGOs). Today, the issues of integrated assessment of NGOs resources and identification of institutional barriers to development seems rather relevant. The article studies these aspects using activity-structural approach based on peer review results (N = 46). The subject of peer review is represented by resources that form the potential of organization’s development in achieving institutional purposes. The interviews of the experts – the heads of non-profit sociallyoriented public organizations from seven municipalities of Kuzbass – were analyzed through the use of interpretive method. As a result, it has been revealed that being financially and materially unsecured and, at the same time, suffering from shortage of professional managers with motivation for public good and the market, the majority of NGOs don’t have significant potential for social development of singleindustry towns in Kuzbass region. Thus, financial, material, personnel, and communication resources are insufficient to ensure high-quality social services to various categories of the population. Interaction with local authorities, businesses, and non-profit organizations has not been institutionalized in the system of social partnership. Institutional obstacles that have a negative impact on the development of the non-profit sector have been identified. The result of the expert survey was specification of urgent support areas for non-profit organizations as well as the development of practical solutions for effective implementation of support measures at municipal levels.