Introduction. The relevance of the research topic is justified by the fact that the application of the latest approaches to the management of social risks that accompany the development of society is becoming quite an urgent matter. Both the development and implementation of social projects make it possible to reduce the likelihood of negative consequences of social problems.
The purpose of the article is to substantiate the theoretical and applied foundations of the functioning of social projects through various sources of funding in the context of the spread of risky social circumstances.
Methods. Among the various scientific research methods applied in the paper are analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, observation and comparison.
Results. Several scientific approaches of domestic scientists to the essence of social risk have been analyzed. Among them is the approach that puts into the essence of this concept a socially significant circumstance of an objective nature, in the event of which citizens are becoming unable to support themselves and need additional material protection from the state.
In the studied definitions of the social project such component as the purpose of its realization is defined. Social development projects are aimed at implementing social change, such as poverty reduction, improving welfare, building elements of civil society, and so on.
The paper supports scientific and expert opinion stating that while developing and implementing social projects it is important to justify their feasibility on a number of indicators. Among them are the social effect, which reflects the degree of satisfaction of the population with the quality of life, and social efficiency, which indicates an improvement in the quality of life of people as a result of social investment activities.
Different types of social projects are identified depending on what kinds of resources are used to finance them. The domestic practice of implementation of social projects with financial participation of international financial organizations is analyzed.
Conclusions. According to the results of the research, it is concluded that, firstly, social risks have become widespread today, secondly, social projects are being developed to reduce their negative impact on society, and thirdly, financial resources from various sources are involved for their implementation. Prospects for further research in substantiating applied aspects of the functioning of social projects at the expense of various kinds of financial resources in Ukraine are outlined.