Expert assessments of the challenges of digitalization of social services in rural communities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25128/2520-6230.25.3.12Keywords:
social work, social services, community, rural community, digitalization, assessment in social work, digital competenciesAbstract
This article presents the results of a study on the challenges associated with the digitalization of social services in rural communities of Ukraine. The study aimed to identify the principal problems and barriers that social work professionals face when introducing digital technologies into social support practices. The research used an expert survey method involving 18 social work practitioners representing 18 rural communities from different regions of Ukraine.
The findings indicate that the digitalization of social services in rural communities is uneven and hampered by multiple difficulties. Key challenges cited by respondents include insufficient technical infrastructure, limited access to stable Internet, low levels of digital competencies among both service users and providers, and a shortage of training programs and methodological guidance. Low public awareness of available digital services and weak intersectoral cooperation at the community level further complicate the digital transformation.
Challenges were grouped into four problem blocks: technical barriers, personnel limitations, organizational difficulties, and value-motivational aspects. To increase reliability, results are illustrated with direct quotes from experts, highlighting the practical dimension of the issue.
Based on expert assessments, the article proposes directions for overcoming the identified barriers: developing digital competencies of professionals and clients; creating inclusive digital infrastructure; preparing training and methodological resources for social work practitioners; strengthening interagency cooperation at the local level; and integrating national and regional digital transformation programs into rural development strategies.
The results are of practical relevance to local governments, social service providers, educational institutions, and NGOs seeking to improve accessibility and quality of social services in rural areas. They may also inform national policy on digitalization of the social sector, taking into account the specific needs and capacities of rural territories.
References
Denysiuk, O., Dulia, A., Vainola, R., Epel, O., Zhukov, V., Karpenko, O., Klishevych, N., Kotelevets, A., Lekholetova, M., Liutyi, V., Liakh, T., Ostrolutska, L., Petrochko, Zh., Sapiha, S., Sylantieva, I., Spirina, T., Sulitskyi, V., Faidiuk, O., & Shved, O. (2023). Current issues of social work: a textbook (O. Epel, T. Liakh & I. Sylantieva, Eds.). [Актуальні питання соціальної роботи : навч. посіб. / О. Денисюк та ін. ; ред.: О. Епель, Т. Лях, І. Силантьєва. Ужгород: РІК-У, 2023. 420 с]. URL: https://elibrary.kubg.edu.ua/id/eprint/47338/ [in Ukrainian]
Vitiutin, V. Ye., Merzhev, D. P. (2024). Digitalization research: scientific methods and practical approaches. Digital Economy and Economic Security. 2(11). 70–77. [Вітютін, В. Є. & Мержев, Д. П. (2024). Дослідження диджиталізації: наукові методи та практичні підходи. Цифрова економіка та економічна безпека, (2 (11), 70-77]. https://doi.org/10.32782/dees.11-11 [in Ukrainian].
Zhavoronok, A., Lopashchuk, I. (2024). Digitalization of the social sphere in the context of ensuring the economic security of the state. Economic Space, (189), 253–258. [Жаворонок, А., & Лопащук, І. (2024). Цифровізація соціальної сфери в контексті забезпечення економічної безпеки держави. Економічний простір, (189), 253-258]. https://doi.org/10.32782/2224-6282/189-45 [in Ukrainian].
Lekholetova, M., Spirina, T., Dulia, A. (2025). Stages and methods of making effective decisions in the professional activities of social workers. Humanitas, (2). 123–133. [Лехолетова, М., Спіріна, Т., & Дуля, А. (2025). Етапи та методи прийняття ефективних рішень у професійній діяльності соціальних працівників. Ввічливість. Humanitas, (2), 123–133]. https://doi.org/10.32782/humanitas/2025.2.17 [in Ukrainian].
Liutyi, V., & Dulia, A. (2023). Families of internally displaced persons with children: needs and strategies for mastering difficult circumstances. Humanitas, 1, 49–58. [Лютий, В., & Дуля, А. (2023). Сім’ї внутрішньо переміщених осіб з дітьми: потреби та стратегії опанування складними обставинами. Ввічливість. Humanitas, (1), 49–58]. https://doi.org/10.32782/humanitas/2023.1.7 [in Ukrainian].
Nepran, A. V., Solopun, N. M. (2022). Factors slowing down digitalization and priority measures to overcome them. Problems and Prospects for the Development of Entrepreneurship. (29). 23–31. [Непран, А., & Солопун, Н. (2022). Фактори уповільнення цифровізації та пріоритетні заходи щодо їх подолання. Проблеми і перспективи розвитку підприємництва, (29), 23-31]. https://doi.org/10.30977/PPB.2226-8820.2022.29.23 [in Ukrainian].
Spirina, T., Lekholetova, M., Liakh, T. (2025). Humanitarian programs to assist vulnerable groups of the population in wartime conditions in Ukraine. Scientific Bulletin of Uzhhorod University. Series: Pedagogy. Social Work. 1(56). 228–233. [Спіріна, Т., Лехолетова, М., & Лях , Т. (2025). Гуманітарні програми допомоги вразливим групам населення в умовах воєнного часу в Україні. Науковий вісник Ужгородського університету. Серія: «Педагогіка. Соціальна робота», (1(56), 228–233]. https://doi.org/10.24144/2524-0609.2025.56.228-233 [in Ukrainian].
Sushik, I. V., Sushik, O. H. (2023). Digital services and portals for migrants in the social security system. Social Economy. (65). 44–57. [Сушик, і., & сушик, о. (2023). Цифрові сервіси та портали для мігрантів в системі соціального забезпечення. Соціальна економіка, (65), 44-57]. https://doi.org/10.26565/2524-2547-2023-65-04. [in Ukrainian].
Gunko, S., Lekholetova, M., Liakh, V. (2025). Digitalization of Social Services for Vulnerable Groups in Territorial Communities of Ukraine. In: Smyrnova-Trybulska, E., Chen, NS., Kommers, P., Morze, N. (eds) E-Learning and Enhancing Soft Skills. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-82243-8_17
Gunko, S., Liakh, T., Vainola, R., & Lekholetova, M. (2024). Features of Providing Social Services in Rural Communities. Society, Integration, Education. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference, Volume I, May 24, 2024. 652–664. https://doi.org/10.17770/sie2024vol1.7899
Liakh, T., Lekholetova, M., Skipalska, H. (2021). Analysis of inquiries for psychosocial counselling services and support in the context of COVID-19. Bulletin of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Social Work, 1(7), 22–28. https://doi.org/10.17721/2616-7786.2021/7-1/4
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Serhii Gunko, Tetiana Liakh
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Social Work and Education is an open access journal. Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
Creative Commons «Attribution» 4.0