The modern Sustainable Development Agenda includes goals focused on the development of cities and settlements. The ongoing urbanization processes have led to rapid growth in large cities while leaving small territories in a state of crisis. Recent study has shifted attention to the challenges faced by these small areas, highlighting the necessity of finding effective development mechanisms that align with global sustainable development goals. In this context, studying the sustainable development of small territories has become both relevant and important. This paper aims to explore the parameters of sustainable development in these areas and propose recommendations for promoting territorial development through the activation of local communities. The main study methods employed include statistical and legal analysis, qualitative content analysis of legal documents, and interviews with representatives of organizations operating in the studied territories. The paper emphasizes the significance of creating conditions for project-based initiatives as a key factor in achieving sustainable development in small areas. Anyone can use the results of this study to analyze sustainable development processes in small territories across various regions, including those within the Arctic zone.
Popkova et al. (Sat,) studied this question.