The article analyzes the theoretical foundations and practical aspects of top-down and bottom-up approaches in regional economic development, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. Using international practices (World Bank, OECD, European Union) and reforms in Uzbekistan as examples, the paper demonstrates the interaction between these approaches. The author proposes measures to increase the efficiency of regional development through decentralization, support for local initiatives, and ensuring public participation

This article examines the practical role of mahalla institutions in promoting employment, evaluates the effectiveness of existing organizational and institutional mechanisms, and substantiates the need for their improvement. The survey conducted at the mahalla level reveals that employment remains insufficiently prioritized among the main areas of mahalla activity, and current initiatives lack systematization. Within the study, an integrated institutional–organizational mechanism was developed to strengthen the functions of mahalla institutions across diagnostics, vocational training, support for self-employment initiatives, mobilization of financial resources, and monitoring. The proposed mechanism is aimed at enhancing the institutional capacity of mahalla governance in employment promotion, supporting household-based entrepreneurship, and revitalizing local labor markets.

The article presents a comprehensive review of the foreign experience in the development of tourist villages over the past ten years. Models and strategies implemented in Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania are examined, along with comparative data across countries and regions. Special attention is given to the analysis of economic effects, local community involvement, and the role of international initiatives such as the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages program. Case studies from Indonesia, Japan, France, and Mexico demonstrate successful practices in the sustainable development of rural tourism. The study identifies key risks — loss of authenticity, environmental pressure, rising prices, and social transformations — and offers recommendations for their minimization. The article emphasizes that tourist villages are becoming an important tool for sustainable socio-economic development, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage, job creation, and diversification of regional economies.