On October 29, 2026, employees of the cross-border cooperation sector of the M. I. Dolishny Institute of Regional Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine – head of the sector, Dr. Khrystyna Prytula, Ph.D. in Economics, Yaroslava Kalat and Ph.D. in Social Sciences Anna Maksymenko - took part in the International scientific conference “Territorial and Inter-Organizational Cooperation 2026”, traditionally organized by the University – Higher School of Business (WSB University, Dąbrowa Górnych, Poland).
The participation of the Institute’s scientists in this annual international forum is a continuation of the systemic partnership between the institutions, enshrined in the official Cooperation Agreement. The result of this long-term interaction is a number of joint international research projects and publications. As part of the event, Doctor of Economics Khrystyna Prytula also joined the Scientific Council of the conference.
The scientific program of the forum covered key areas of modern regional development: public governance, territorial and inter-organizational cooperation, clusters and networks, international project management, knowledge and innovation management, sustainable development, green economy, as well as the development and implementation of public policy.
Within the online panel of the conference, sector experts delivered reports on the following thematic areas:

• The role of European groupings of territorial cooperation in the post-war reconstruction and European integration of Ukraine ("European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation as an Instrument of Ukraine's Post-War Recovery and European Integration");
• Sustainability of partnership networks in cross-border cooperation projects ("Partnership Networks as a Measure of Effectiveness in Cross-Border Cooperation: The Case of Ukraine and Slovakia");
• Comparative Assessment of Regional Innovation Systems in Ukraine and the EU ("Comparative Assessment of Regional Innovation Systems in Ukraine and the EU: Methodological Adaptations and European Integration Priorities").

The event program is here.
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On October 29, 2026, a meeting of the Academic Council of the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of NAS of Ukraine was held under the chairmanship of the Director of the Institute, Doctor of Economics, Professor Taras Vasyltsiv.
Several important issues were considered on the agenda:

• On conferring the academic title of senior researcher to Mariya Karpyak – Senior Researcher of the Department of Regional Environmental Policy, Ph.D. of Economics. By secret ballot, the members of the Academic Council unanimously supported the candidacy of Mariya Karpyak for further procedure for conferring the academic title.
• On the results of the certification of graduate students of the Institute.
• On approval of dissertation topics and individual plans for the implementation of educational and scientific programs for the preparation of a Doctor of Philosophy degree for first-year postgraduate students.
• On the nomination of the scientific project "Adaptive capacity of territorial communities in the architecture of security and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine" for the competition for obtaining grants from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine to research laboratories/groups of young scientists of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine for conducting research in priority areas of science and technology development in 2027-2028.

In addition, the members of the Academic Council considered and adopted for implementation the Regulations on ensuring academic integrity and the Regulations on open science. The documents are posted on the institution's website for review. Members of the Commission on Academic Integrity and the Commission on Ethics and Conflict Resolution were also appointed.
Among other things, the members of the Academic Council approved for publication scientific publications, which will soon be available on the Institute's website.
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On October 29, 2026, at the expert and analytical platform of the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of NAS of Ukraine, a scientific and practical seminar was held on the topic "Environmental certification as a tool of environmental policy: essence, current state and prospects for development".
The keynote speech was delivered by Senior Researcher of the Department of Regional Environmental Policy, Ph.D. of Economics, Associate Professor Volodymyr Kovalyshyn.
During the speech, the legal basis, theoretical principles and applied aspects of the implementation of environmental environmental certification were highlighted. In addition, the advantages of ecological environmental certification at the community level were outlined, in particular as a tool for increasing the investment attractiveness of territories, which caused a lively discussion of this topical issue.
The recording of the scientific and practical seminar will soon be available via the link on the Institute’s Youtube channel.
We invite you to watch the previous discussions!
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On 22 October 2026, the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of NAS of Ukraine hosted a specialist academic seminar to examine a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Economic Sciences in the following specializations: 08.00.03 – Economics and Management of the National Economy and 08.00.05 – Development of Productive Forces and Regional Economics, by Iryna Leshchuk, on the topic ‘Dominant Factors in Realizing the Potential of Agglomerations in the Context of the Transformation of the Spatial Development Model of the National Economy’.
The academic supervisor of the thesis is the Head of the Department of Spatial Development, Doctor of Economics, Professor Mariana Melnyk.
The session was chaired by the Head of the Department of Regional Economic Policy, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Svitlana Shults.
During the session, seminar participants heard the candidate’s presentation, which highlighted the main provisions, scientific novelty and practical significance of the findings. In accordance with the procedure, reviews were presented at the seminar by Iryna Kolodiychuk (Senior Researcher at the Department of Regional Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management, Doctor of Economics, Senior Researcher), Anatoliy Mokiy (Senior Researcher at the Department of Regional Economic Policy, Doctor of Economics, Professor) and Stepan Davymuka (Senior Researcher at the Department of Regional Financial Policy, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Honoured Economist of Ukraine).
At the seminar, it was decided to recommend the work for the next stage of the defense procedure.
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On October 20, 2026, the scientific and methodological seminar "Modern tools of regional research: applied aspects" was held at the Department of Organization Management of the National University "Lviv Polytechnic".
The speaker of the event was Olha Levytska – Doctor of Economics, Senior Researcher, Leading Researcher of the Department of problems of social and humanitarian development of regions of the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
During the speech, modern methods of regional research were presented - from the construction of integral indicators and the verification of scientific hypotheses to simulation and neurocognitive modeling and scenario forecasting. Six practical cases tested on real data from the regions of the Carpathian region and Ukraine in general reveal the sequence of the research process: from the selection of indicators and data processing to the formation of well-founded recommendations for regional development policy.
Case studies included assessing the competitiveness of regional labor markets, researching the interrelationships of migration and regional development, determining critical and optimal ranges of social vulnerability, using the results of sociological and expert surveys, as well as forecasting migration losses and labor resource potential of Ukraine until 2030.
Particular attention was paid to working with limited and incomplete data in wartime conditions, choosing methods according to the purpose of the study, and using modern software, including EViews, Stata, Python, and CurveExpert Professional. The overarching idea of ​​the seminar was the transition from analytical results to specific management decisions aimed at reducing social vulnerability and restoring the human potential of the regions.
We sincerely thank colleagues from the Department of Organizational Management of Lviv Polytechnic National University for the invitation, meaningful professional dialogue and the development of inter-institutional scientific cooperation!
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On October 16, 2026, the Active Longevity Forum was held at the Institute, organized by the M. I. Dolishny Institute of Regional Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the NGO “Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development Agency” and the NGO “Golden Years” with the support of the Lviv City Council, UNHCR and the NGO “CrimesSOS”. The event was held within the framework of the city program “Month of the Elderly in Lviv” and brought together representatives of local governments, scientific institutions, business, public organizations and the social sphere to discuss the possibilities of active longevity, employment, entrepreneurship, lifelong learning and social activity of people aged 50+.
Opening the forum, the Director of the Institute, Doctor of Economics, Professor Taras Vasyltsiv, emphasized that people of advanced age are not a problem that needs to be solved, but an important resource for the economic and social development of communities. Their professional experience, knowledge, competencies and life wisdom can become the basis for the development of entrepreneurship, mentoring, volunteering and transferring experience to younger generations. For the Institute of Regional Studies, this topic also has a clear regional dimension. Demographic changes, a reduction in the labor potential, migration and a shortage of qualified personnel increase the need for new approaches to the use of human capital. Therefore, active longevity is not only a social policy, but also a matter of the economic capacity of communities, the development of the labor market and ensuring the sustainability of territories.
The forum participants discussed barriers to employment and self-realization of the older generation, issues of accessibility of educational and medical services, digital literacy, overcoming age stereotypes, as well as successful practices of active longevity in the context of demographic changes and challenges of war.
Following the discussions, the participants approved the draft resolution of the Active Longevity Forum, which identified priorities for further cooperation: development of the "silver economy", formation of a permanent intersectoral partnership between government, business and the public, popularization of entrepreneurial and public initiatives of people aged 50+, creation of accessible opportunities for learning and professional development throughout life.
The forum was an important step towards the formation of a common agenda and practical solutions aimed at the full self-realization of older people and strengthening the socio-economic capacity of communities.
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On October 15, 2026, State Institution "Institute of Regional Research named after M. I. Dolishniy of the NAS of Ukraine" hosted the first international workshop under a new initiative — the IRR International Research Hub, aimed at expanding international scientific cooperation and creating opportunities for joint research initiatives.
The theme of the meeting was "Interregional and Megaregional Planning: International Experience and Prospects for Ukraine."
Researchers from the University of Texas joined the Ukrainian-American scientific dialogue:
🔹 Nathan Hutson — researcher in urban and regional planning, transport infrastructure, and post-war urban recovery, who attended the meeting in person at the Institute.
🔹 Ming Zhang — Professor at the School of Architecture, Director of the Cooperative Mobility for Competitive Megaregions research center, expert in megaregional planning and transport-infrastructure integration (online).
🔹 Adam Pyrek — architect, lecturer at the School of Architecture, specialist in sustainable architectural design and innovative approaches to urban environment development (online).
The Ukrainian research team was represented by the Director of the Institute, Doctor of Economics, Professor Taras Vasyltsiv, alongside scientists from various departments:
▪️ Maryana Melnyk, Doctor of Economics, Professor — Head of the Spatial Development Department;
▪️ Svitlana Shults, Doctor of Economics, Professor — Head of the Regional Economic Policy Department;
▪️ Khrystyna Prytula, Doctor of Economics, Senior Researcher — Head of the Cross-Border Cooperation Sector;
▪️ Yuliya Bashynska, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Senior Researcher — Senior Researcher at the Regional Environmental Policy and Nature Management Department.
The event was initiated and moderated by Solomiya Tkach, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Senior Researcher, Head of the Department of International Cooperation and Project Activities.
A key highlight of the workshop was the practical, outcome-oriented interaction between the research teams. Participants shared their scientific achievements, discussed contemporary challenges of spatial and regional development, explored international approaches to planning functionally interconnected territories, and addressed prospects for deepening Ukrainian-American scientific collaboration.
We express our gratitude to our American colleagues for a meaningful dialogue, openness to cooperation, and strong interest in Ukrainian research!
The IRR International Research Hub will continue its series of thematic workshops featuring international partners and researchers from across the Institute’s departments.
Connecting researchers. Developing partnerships. Creating opportunities.
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On October 9, 2026, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Lviv Regional Association of Local Councils “Lviv Regional Councils”.
The Memorandum lays the foundation for a partnership between the academic community and local authorities, aimed at strengthening the capacity of local communities, improving regional policy and identifying effective solutions for the socio-economic development of the Lviv region.
Promising areas of cooperation include conducting joint research and analytical activities, exchanging information and expert findings, preparing recommendations for local authorities, as well as collaboration in the field of education and the training of PhD candidates.
Combining the Institute’s academic expertise with the practical experience of local communities creates opportunities for research findings to form the basis of management decisions, whilst the real needs of local areas determine the relevant areas of academic research.
The development of this partnership will contribute to the formation of modern approaches to local governance, the strengthening of communities’ capacity, and the ensuring of sustainable development in the Lviv region.
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Can the capacity of a community be determined only by the size of its budget?
This is what was discussed on September 30 in Lutsk during the regional forum "Capable Communities – Strong Region"(forum program here), which was attended by scientists of the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Head of the Department of Regional Financial Policy Iryna Storonyanska and Senior Researcher of the Department Khrystyna Patytska.
Iryna Storonyanska joined the panel discussion "From Strategy to Capacity: How to Create a Resource for Development for a Community", where, together with representatives of the Volyn Regional Military Administration, local self-government and expert circles, they discussed how to combine strategic planning, public investments and real resources of communities.
A separate block of the forum was the presentation of the results of an analytical study on the assessment of the capacity of territorial communities of the Volyn region, which was presented by Iryna Storonyanska. The focus of the study is the question of how to look at capacity much more broadly than only through the budget? The presented study takes into account the economic base, accessibility of services, spatial conditions, financial and investment and institutional capacity of communities. After all, today it is much more important to answer the question not "how much do we have?", but "to what extent are we able to transform our own and attracted resources into community development?"
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On September 30, 2026, the Director of the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Economics, Professor Taras Vasyltsiv and Head of the Department of Regional Policy of the Institute, Doctor of Economics, Professor Svitlana Shults took part in the event "European Integration through Partnership: International Territorial Cooperation".
The event is dedicated to the current issues of the development of international territorial cooperation as an important tool for deepening the European integration of Ukraine, strengthening the capacity of regions and territorial communities and forming new partnerships with regions of the European Union member states.
For the Institute, the development of international territorial cooperation is one of the important areas of scientific support for state regional policy and the formation of effective mechanisms for the restoration and development of regions and territorial communities of Ukraine in the context of European integration.
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On September 29, 2026, a scientific and practical seminar was held at the expert and analytical site of the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of NAS of Ukraine on the topic «Support for culture in wartime: a necessity or a resource for the economic development of territories?».
The keynote speech was delivered by the Junior Researcher of the Department of Regional Economic Policy, Dr. Phil. Olha Voitenko.
During the speech, aspects related to the influence of the cultural and creative industries on the economic development of territories were highlighted; problems of assessing the state of cultural development and the effectiveness of its impact on socio-economic development; the consequences of a full-scale war for cultural heritage and infrastructure, and measures to support the development of the industry taken by state and regional authorities.
The subsequent lively discussion was devoted to finding effective solutions for the development of the cultural sphere, as all those present agreed that supporting culture is both a resource for economic development and a necessary condition for the stability of the state in times of war.
We would like to express our special gratitude to the invited expert, Doctor of Economics, Associate Professor Olesya Datsko, for participating in the fruitful discussion.
The recording of the scientific and practical seminar will soon be available via the link on the Institute’s Youtube channel.
We invite you to watch the previous discussions on occasion!
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On September 10, 2026, a meeting of the Academic Council of the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine was held under the chairmanship of the Director of the institution, Doctor of Economics, Professor Taras Vasyltsiv.
The agenda considered a number of important issues:
1. On the opening of a new research project "Institutional system and mechanisms for ensuring the environmental security of territorial communities of Ukraine in the conditions of European integration and post-war recovery" (speaker – Head of the Department of Regional Environmental Policy and Environmental Management, Doctor of Economics, Professor Vasyl Kravtsiv).
2. On the certification of the scientific work of the scholarship holders of the President of Ukraine: Head of the Department of Problems of Socio-Humanitarian Development of Regions, Doctor of Economics, Senior Researcher Olha Mulska and Junior Researcher of the Department of Regional Economic Policy, Ph.D. Olha Voytenko; and the scholarship holders of the NAS of Ukraine: Junior Researcher of the Department of Spatial Development, Ph.D. Mariya Rushchyshyn and Engineer of the Department of Regional Economic Policy, Postgraduate Student Mykola Antonyuk. The members of the Academic Council unanimously supported the decision on the certification of the scholarship holders.
3. On the nomination of candidates for participation in the competition for the scholarship named after Academician of the NAS of Ukraine Borys Paton, namely the Head of the Department of Problems of Social and Humanitarian Development of Regions, Doctor of Economics, Senior Researcher Olha Mulska and the competition for scholarships of the President of Ukraine for young scientists, namely the Junior Researcher of the department of Regional Economic Policy, Ph.D. Olha Voytenko and the Junior Researcher of the Department of Regional Economic Policy, Ph.D. Arseniy Yanovych. The members of the Academic Council unanimously supported the nomination of candidates in an open vote.
The meeting also approved for publication the scientific publications of the Institute, namely the next issues of the journal "Regional Economy" and the collection of scientific works "Socio-economic problems of the modern period of Ukraine". We invite colleagues to submit their articles to the next issues of these professional publications of category B.
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