On April 6, 2026, the Institute hosted a scientific and practical seminar titled "Strategic Planning and Public Investment Management in Communities: A New Logic for Local Development." This event marked the beginning of a series of regular seminars (expert discussions) focused on regional policy and development. The keynote report was delivered by Iryna Storonyanska, Head of the Regional Financial Policy Department, Doctor of Economics, Professor.
Invited experts, government officials, scientists, and Institute specialists discussed the following topics:
Legal Inconsistencies: Conflicts between regulatory documents governing strategic planning for regional and community development and the attraction of public investment in Ukraine.
Growing Disparities: The widening gap between communities due to varying levels of institutional capacity to meet the requirements of the public investment reform.
Reform Implementation Specifics: Analysis of projects receiving public investment, including "hard" vs. "soft" costs and thematic alignment within the medium-term plans of regions and communities.
Strategic Alignment: Discrepancies in the timing of strategic planning steps across different documents which may hinder communities' ability to attract public investment.
Macro-regional Challenges: Obstacles to securing public investment for the development of macro-regions and functional types of territories under current legislation.
Based on the seminar's results, recommendations will be drafted for government authorities and other stakeholders interested in regional policy and public administration.
A recording of the seminar will soon be available online on the Institute's official website.
We would like to thank the following participants for their contribution: Vadym Tabakera, Volodymyr Ustymenko, Oleksandr Laiko, Inna Zablodska, Oleh Karyi, Nazar Hlynskyi, Iryna Hrynchyshyn, and all other participants of the discussion!
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On March 31, 2026, the 6th International Scientific and Practical Conference "Problems and Prospects of Business Development in Ukraine" was held at the Lviv University of Trade and Economics, dedicated to the 210th anniversary of the university's founding.
The event brought together scientists and educational representatives to discuss current issues of entrepreneurship development, enhancing business environment resilience, the spread of innovation, and adaptability to modern challenges.
The following staff members of the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of the NAS of Ukraine delivered presentations at the plenary session: Olha NESTOR, PhD in Economics, Researcher of the Department of Regional Financial Policy, presented a report titled "Conceptual Foundations and Sources of Funding for Green Transformation"; Olha VOITENKO, Junior Researcher of the Department of Regional Economic Policy, presented a report on "Public Management of the Cultural Services Sector in the Conditions of War."
The discussions also featured contributions from Olha MULSKA, Doctor of Economics, Senior Researcher, Head of the Department of Social and Humanitarian Development of Regions; Tetiana MEDYNSKA, Doctor of Economics, Associate Professor, Senior Researcher of the Department of Spatial Development; PhD Students (third-level higher education) of the Institute: Ruslan BILAN, Oleksandr MATVIEIEV, Andrii KARPA, Rostyslav RYVAK, Taras BARANETSKYI, Volodymyr BODNAR, and Nazar SEMEKHA.
More information about the event can be found at the following link.
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Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine continues its series of practical training seminars aimed at developing grant competence and strengthening the project capacity of staff, postgraduate students, and doctoral candidates.
On March 24, 2026, the second seminar in the series «How to Prepare a Successful Grant Application» was held for the researchers and students of the Institute. 📑
Speaker: Markiyan Datsyshyn — National Consultant for the Council of Europe and Head of the Marketing Department at the Lviv Institute of Management.
The seminar focused on the practical aspects of preparing competitive grant proposals, specifically:

• The Logical Framework Matrix of a project and the specifics of its completion;
• Understanding KPIs in a project and how to define performance indicators;
• Identifying project risks and risk management strategies in wartime conditions.

The seminar was organized by the Department of International Cooperation and Project Activity as part of a systematic effort to build a project culture, increase the Institute’s participation in international competitions, and strengthen its position within the European Research Area.
Special thanks to Markiyan Datsyshyn for his expert approach and practical advice, which will be invaluable to every participant.
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On March 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, chaired by Dr. Taras Vasyltsiv, Doctor of Economics and Professor.
The agenda included, among other things, several key issues:

• Approval of the editorial boards for the Institute’s periodic professional publications—the journal «Regional Economy» and the collection of scientific papers «Socio-Economic Problems of the Modern Period of Ukraine. «These changes were made in accordance with the updated Procedure for forming the List of Scientific Professional Publications of Ukraine.
• Attestation of scientific work for fellows of the President of Ukraine and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of Ukraine—young scientists Dr. Olha Mulska, PhD Iryna Leshchukh, and Junior Researchers Olha Voitenko and Arsenii Yanovych. Approval of candidates for upcoming fellowships: PhD Mariia Rushchyshyn and Junior Researcher Mykola Antoniuk.

During the meeting, an Award of Gratitude from the Institute was presented to Dr. Svitlana Ishchuk, Professor and Head of the Department of Real Sector Economy Problems. This honor recognizes her many years of conscientious work, significant contributions to the development of the scientific institution, and the celebration of her jubilee. We wish her robust health, inexhaustible energy, new scientific achievements, inspiration in her professional activities, and continued significant accomplishments for the advancement of Ukrainian science!
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On March 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 I. Krypiakevych Institute of Ukrainian Studies of the NAS of Ukraine.
The document establishes a partnership between the two institutions, aimed at pooling scientific potential to conduct interdisciplinary research, implement joint scientific projects, organize scholarly communication events, and prepare analytical materials on topical issues regarding the development of Ukrainian society, the regional economy, and the history and culture of Ukraine.
The cooperation includes hosting joint conferences, round tables, and seminars; preparing collective scientific publications; participating in national and international research programs; and exchanging scientific information and expert findings.
The signing of the memorandum marks an important step toward strengthening inter-institutional collaboration within the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and creating new opportunities for comprehensive studies of societal development processes, particularly in the context of modern challenges and transformations.
It is expected that the implementation of these agreements will foster the development of joint scientific initiatives, deepen the integration of economic, historical, and humanitarian research, and lead to the formation of new approaches to studying the regional development of Ukraine.
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On March 5, 2026, the Congress of Young Scientists "Youth Science for Policy" was held at the Lviv State University of Life Safety. The event was organized by the Council of Young Scientists under the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine was represented at the Congress of Young Scientists by a researcher of the Department of Regional Financial Policy, Ph.D. of Economics Olha Nestor.
Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Denys Kurbatov, Rector of the University of Life Safety Major General Dmytro Bondar, and Head of the Council of Young Scientists under the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine Anastasia Simakhova addressed the participants with welcoming words. In their speeches, they emphasized the importance of developing youth science and actively involving young researchers in the processes of forming state policy. In particular, Denys Kurbatov, in his speech, emphasized the importance of involving young scientists in the preparation of state policy decisions and the development of applied research, the results of which can be used to respond to current challenges for the country.
Over 100 young scientists from more than 30 higher education institutions, scientific institutions and organizations of Ukraine took part in the Congress. Two thematic panel discussions were held as part of the event, during which participants discussed the role of science in the formation of evidence-based policy, mechanisms for implementing research results in public administration practice, issues of state security, the development of innovative technologies and international scientific cooperation. A tour of the Lviv State University of Life Safety and a tour of historical Lviv were also organized.
The event brought together young scientists from higher education institutions, scientific institutions and organizations of Ukraine and became an important platform for exchanging experience, presenting scientific initiatives and forming new partnerships aimed at strengthening the role of science in state-building processes, in particular in the security sector.
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On November 26, 2025, Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine held the VI International Scientific and Practical Conference "Territorial Development and Regional Policy: Current State and Guidelines for Further Reforms".
The event brought together leading scientists, experts, representatives of state authorities and local governments from Ukraine and the European Union countries to discuss current challenges and strategic directions for the development of regional policy in the conditions of martial law and post-war recovery.
The conference was co-organized by the Department of Economics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine, the Lviv Regional Military (State) Administration, the Western Scientific Center of the NAS of Ukraine and the MES of Ukraine, the Institute of Rural Development and Agriculture of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Faculty of Economics and Finance of the University of Rzeszów (Poland), Šiauliai University of Applied Sciences (Lithuania), the Lviv Regional Branch of the All-Ukrainian Association of Local Governments, the Local Association of Local Governments "Lviv Agglomeration" and other partner institutions.
The participants discussed issues of spatial development, the effectiveness of regional policy, community support instruments, financial recovery mechanisms, investment attractiveness of regions, digital transformation of local governance, increasing the resilience of territories and rebuilding infrastructure.
Particular attention was focused on the role of regional institutions in post-war reconstruction, renewed approaches to strategic planning, Ukraine's integration into the European regional policy space, and strengthening partnership mechanisms between the state, communities, business, and the scientific community.
The conference program in English is here.
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On November 06, 2025, the V International Scientific and Practical Conference “Current Problems of the Development of the Financial and Economic System: Priorities and Prospects” was held at the Lviv University of Trade and Economics, of which our Institute is a long-standing co-organizer.
Iryna Leshchukh, Ph.D. in Economics, Senior Researcher, Senior Researcher of the Department of Spatial Development, participated in the conference. At the plenary session, she presented a report on the role of cooperation between “CSOs – business – community” in shaping local “green” transition policies and its importance for the post-war economic recovery of territories.
The report emphasized that the key areas of EU development – “green” transition, digital integration and inclusion – should become strategic guidelines for Ukraine as well. “Green” business development is already creating new jobs, investments and competitive advantages, but institutional barriers remain significant.
In general, the conference was attended by scientists, practitioners, young scientists and higher education students from 30 higher education institutions and scientific institutions in Ukraine and abroad, in particular from Katowice, Wroclaw, Rzeszow, Lublin, Kyiv, Dnipro, Irpin, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Ternopil, Mukachevo, Ostroh, Poltava, Rivne, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi and Chernivtsi.
Additional posts: Department of Finance, Economic Security, Banking and Insurance Business Maryana Melnyk Tetyana Medynska
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On October 24, 2025, the II International Forum of Agglomerations of Ukraine “Agglomerations and Functional Territories: European Approaches and Their Implementation in Ukraine” was held, organized by the Lviv City Council, the Lviv Agglomeration Association with the assistance and support of the Council of Europe.
The Forum was attended by: Director of the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Dr.Sci. of Economics, Professor Taras Vasyltsiv, as well as researchers of the Institute: Dr.Sci. of Economics, Professor Maryana Melnyk, Dr.Sci. of Economics, Professor Halyna Voznyak, Dr.Sci. of Economics, Professor Viktor Borshchevskyy, Ph.D. of Economics, Senior Researcher Solomiya Tkach, Ph.D. of Economics, Senior Researcher Iryna Leshchukh.
Key issues of the development of Ukrainian agglomerations and functional territories were discussed in the context of European approaches and standards of the Council of Europe, international experience (France, Sweden, Spain, Latvia, the Netherlands), as well as models of metropolitan planning in the United States. The focus was on the formation of effective governance in urban agglomerations, the role of functional territories as growth poles, and the potential of agglomerations in the process of post-war reconstruction.
Particularly relevant for our Institute was the discussion of issues that directly resonate with the current research of the Department of Spatial Development, which is working on the topic: "Institutional instruments for the development of agglomerations in conditions of war and post-war recovery of Ukraine (on the example of the Carpathian region)".
The forum once again confirmed that the development of agglomerations is not only a matter of spatial planning, but also an important factor in the competitiveness, cohesion, and European future of our state.
The Forum program at the link.
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