Innovation and investment serve as crucial drivers of economic growth, competitiveness, and overall quality of life. They are the engines that drive regional economies forward, contributing to job creation, technological progress, and structural transformations. At the same time, creating an enabling environment for attracting long-term investment and supporting highly effective innovation projects requires not only proper infrastructure and resources, but also ensuring an adequate level of investment and innovation security. This security is a necessary prerequisite for minimizing potential threats and maximizing the positive impact of economic activity. The article examines conceptual approaches to assessing investment and innovation security at the regional level, emphasizing its importance as a fundamental component of socio-economic development. Investment and innovation security are increasingly recognized as critical factors in regional competitiveness, resilience, and the ability to effectively adapt to global and national economic challenges. The study explores the methodological foundations of investment and innovation security assessment, which allows the development of a comprehensive understanding of the relevant criteria and indicators, as well as identifying the main directions for ensuring its stability and competitiveness. The various scientific approaches utilized for assessing investment and innovation security are clearly defined and systematized based on the two key parameters. First, they are classified according to the specific subject of assessment (discrete, integrated, and complex), and second, they are categorized according to the assessment methodology (rating analysis, analysis of the state of the economy, analysis of factors or risks, system analysis). Special attention is paid to the regional dimension of security. The authors identify the key components of investment and innovation security at the regional level: resource and intellectual potential (human capital, R&D capacity), investment climate (legal, regulatory, and fiscal framework), innovation infrastructure (technoparks, business incubators), environmental conditions, and priorities for sustainable development. These elements reflect not only the economic, but also the social and environmental context, which is important for a balanced regional policy. Based on the research conducted, the authors proposed an algorithm for assessing investment and innovation security. This algorithm integrates methodological approaches with specific components, the use of which will contribute to the formation of effective management decisions in regional policy and ensure economic stability.
investments, innovations, investment and innovation security, regional development, regional innovation systems
The article explores the experience of applying the territory-oriented governance tools in the EU and Ukraine (during the period preceding the formal establishment of this approach as mandatory for the development of regional policy documents at all levels of governance). The study demonstrates that, despite Ukraine’s large territory and high level of regional differentiation, regional policy was not prioritized until the mid-2000s. Early attempts to introduce the territory-oriented mechanisms were fragmented and focused on specific categories of territories, such as mountain settlements, small mono-functional towns, and priority development areas. These initiatives, although methodologically significant in defining criteria for territorial classification and offering differentiated tools of state support, failed to produce sustainable outcomes. The reasons included inconsistency with national strategic documents, absence of secured and guaranteed financing, and insufficient reliance on the endogenous potential of territories, while the criterion of “depressiveness” often encouraged passive expectations of state aid. The analysis highlights that Ukraine’s regional policy trajectory reflects a gradual shift from sectoral and redistributive models to approaches aligned with the European Union’s place-based paradigm. This transition gained momentum with the approval of the State Regional Development Strategy for 2021–2027, which for the first time introduced functional types of territories, and with the 2022 legislative amendments that made the territory-oriented approach obligatory. However, the legacy of past inefficiencies continues to be relevant, particularly in the context of Russia’s full-scale military aggression, the destruction of economic and social infrastructure, and the simultaneous necessity of harmonizing Ukraine’s policies with EU standards. The research contributes to the understanding of how the territory-oriented tools evolved in Ukraine, their limitations, and the conditions under which they could become effective in the future. It argues that sustainable recovery and European integration require strengthening the institutional and financial foundations of this approach, ensuring systemic coordination across governance levels, and mobilizing the endogenous potential of diverse territories. The findings suggest that Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and regional cohesion will largely depend on the capacity to adapt and fully implement the place-based approach in line with best European practices.
territory-oriented governance, regional policy, functional types of territories, development tools, State Regional Development Strategy, European Union
The article examines the ecological component of ensuring the resilience of the quality of life of the population in the regions of Ukraine under conditions of external threats. The study aims to theoretically and methodologically substantiate and empirically assess the ecological determinants of regional resilience in the context of wartime destruction, environmental instability, and spatial asymmetry of natural resource potential. The assessment is based on the dominant anthropogenic load across Ukraine’s regions and integrates partial indicators of the state of the natural environment – air, water, land, and accumulated waste – into a single composite measure. An index method was applied with normalization of indicators using the min–max principle and their transformation into an integral index of the ecological component of ensuring the resilience of the quality of life (IEC). Since individual indicators have different units of measurement, ranges of variation, and directions of impact, all data were standardized on a 0–1 scale, which ensured comparability and integrative synthesis. Based on the assessment of the regions for 2014 and 2021, a seven-level environmental gradation was established, reflecting both the quality of the natural environment and its regenerative potential: (a) favorable; (b) moderately favorable; (c) moderately unfavorable; (d) satisfactory; (e) deteriorating; (f) tense; (g) pre-crisis. To assess the ecological component for the period 2022–2025, the analytical extrapolation method was used, allowing for the reconstruction of regional ecological dynamics under wartime conditions. A retrospective and predictive-analytical analysis of the IEC revealed the trajectory of Ukraine’s ecological transformation during two contrasting periods – pre-war (2014–2021) and military-adaptive (2022–2025). The results demonstrated that during 2014–2021, most regions, particularly those in the western and central parts of Ukraine, experienced a gradual improvement in environmental resilience due to stabilization of air and water indicators. However, during 2022–2025, the intensification of military actions and large-scale destruction of industrial, energy, and transport infrastructure led to the destabilization of the country’s natural and ecological framework, accompanied by deepening spatial polarization and the westward shift of ecological stability centers. Two distinct structural poles of ecological resilience were identified:(a) the western and partly northern macro-region, characterized by high integral index values (0.958–0.767), corresponding to favorable or moderately favorable ecological conditions; (b) the eastern and southern macro-region, with lower index values (0.571–0.294), indicating a deteriorating, tense, and pre-crisis environmental state. The findings provide a methodological foundation for assessing the environmental dimension of resilience and for developing targeted strategies for post-war ecological recovery and sustainable regional development.
environment, anthropogenic load, resilience of the quality of life of the population, assessment indicators, indicators, poles of environmental resilience
The article proposes a thorough classification of the impact of solid waste processing on various spheres of human life, including environmental, economic, and social dimensions. It emphasizes that the traditional waste management model, which focuses primarily on disposal, is no longer sustainable in the face of growing volumes of waste and limited natural resources. Instead, the paper advocates for a transition to a resource-efficient and environmentally responsible approach based on the principles of circular economy and sustainable development. Such a shift requires not only technological modernization but also institutional, legal, and cultural transformations. Particular attention is given to the practical implementation of the concept of environmental justice, which demands that the benefits and burdens of environmental policies are distributed fairly among all population groups. The study highlights how the reuse and recycling of materials are closely linked to the country’s level of economic development and public awareness. In high-income societies, reusing materials and minimizing waste are increasingly perceived as social norms, whereas in less developed economies, these practices often depend on the availability of infrastructure and financial incentives. The article provides an overview of the key national and international legal frameworks governing waste management. It examines the distribution of competences among different levels of government in Ukraine, identifying both achievements and systemic challenges in the implementation of state policy in this field. The analysis demonstrates that effective waste management requires coordination between public authorities, private enterprises, and civil society. Drawing on international experience, the study emphasizes the growing role of public participation and social initiatives in shaping the environmental agenda. Using examples of international organizations and grassroots movements, it reveals the potential of social networks as a tool for raising awareness and encouraging waste reduction through reuse. Initiatives such as Repair Cafes or online platforms like Give and Take illustrate how community engagement can complement governmental measures aimed at modernizing the waste management system. Finally, the article proposes the development of a comprehensive strategy focused on strengthening the institutional capacity of both state and local authorities. Introducing transparent mechanisms of control and accountability in waste management would reduce environmental risks, enhance civic participation, and promote a culture of responsible consumption. Such an integrated approach aligns with European standards of sustainable development and supports Ukraine’s broader goal of integration into the European environmental policy space.
The current state of industrial and household waste management in the oblasts of the Carpathian region is analyzed. Of the total volume of waste generated in hazard classes I-IV, household waste accounted for the largest percentage in Zakarpatska and Chernivetska oblasts, 92.1% (148,700 tons) and 48.0% (50,600 tons), respectively, and the smallest in Ivano-Frankivsks and Lvivska oblasts, 18.1% (131,600 tons) and 10.5% (300,800 tons), respectively. Today, potentially hazardous military waste is encountered in the oblasts of the Carpathian region as a result of bombing by guided missiles and drones. This requires special sites for its disposal based on the criterion of environmental safety. The share of industrial waste generated by business entities by type of industry in the Carpathian region is specified. The article reveals that processing industry generates the largest percentage of industrial waste in Zakarpatska, Ivano-Frankivska, and Chernivetska oblasts, while in Lvivska oblast it is generated by the supply of electricity and gas, mining and processing industries. Priority industries in the context of modernization of regional development, especially in mountainous areas, are identified. The infrastructure of existing waste disposal sites is presented according to the criterion of environmental safety. The largest number of operating disposal sites for extremely hazardous and dangerous waste is located in Lvivska oblast (52), with it being somewhat less in Zakarpatska (29) and Ivano-Frankivska (28) oblasts. The priority tasks of reducing the generation of waste from industry and everyday life and its impact on the environment in the post-war period are substantiated. Particular attention is paid to ways to reduce the impact of military waste on the environment and the quality of life of the population, in particular: a) organization of temporary storage facilities and landfills; b) demining and research of destroyed facilities and the environment; c) ensuring separate collection (if possible at the point of generation); d) separating waste according to the criterion of environmental safety; e) separating waste that can be reused in the restoration or construction of other infrastructure facilities, as well as waste that is unsuitable for processing and use as secondary raw materials.
The main advantage of vocational education in the European Union is its orientation towards the needs of employers. However, the dynamic development of the economy, digitalization, and nano-technologies will contribute to the fact that employers will look for employees who possess not only current technical knowledge and skills, but also the ability to acquire and implement innovations. This contributes to the transformation of the vocational education system. The purpose of the article is to study the features of the transformation of vocational education in EU countries in the context of innovative changes and opportunities for implementing best practices in Ukraine. To achieve this, general scientific research methods were used: analysis and synthesis, comparison and systematization, and statistical research methods. The information base of the study includes scientific works of foreign and domestic scientists, data from Internet resources, and statistical data from Eurostat and OECD. The article identifies the main features of the transformation of vocational education in the European Union: a gradual change in the educational directions of vocational education in accordance with the requirements of the modern labor market; continuous professional development and lifelong learning; the digital transformation of vocational education and the development of STEM education; increasing the role of international partnerships and the mobility of vocational education students. The stages of reforming vocational (vocational and technical) education in Ukraine are identified and the main problems of the inconsistency of training areas and educational programs of vocational education institutions with the needs of the labor market are outlined. Attention is focused on the problems of opening new specialties by vocational education institutions and the formation of regional orders. The possibilities of implementing the European experience of transforming vocational education in Ukraine are clarified, including the creation and modernization of training and practical centers, training students in new areas in accordance with the requirements of the labor market, the development of green and soft skills, and the use of modern tools of informal education (industry short-term courses, industry business incubators, hubs, online trainings, and internship at the enterprise).
The article examines European practices of innovative cooperation aimed at consistent and purposeful integration of European economies through the creation of a common scientific, technical, and innovative space. The authors find that the Framework Programmes play a coordinating role in the implementation of the European Union’s innovation policy. The article reveals that the second Horizon Europe Strategic Plan will be implemented from 20 March 2024, setting out three key strategic areas for European Union funding of research and innovation for 2025-2027: green transition; digital transition; a more sustainable, competitive, inclusive, and democratic Europe. Meanwhile, the European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructure, implemented by the European Commission on 15 September 2025, is a tool for Europe’s breakthrough in scientific excellence and technological innovation, particularly in the following areas: strengthening the European research and technological infrastructure ecosystem; ensuring easier and better access to research and technological infrastructure; attracting and developing talented personnel; improving and simplifying the management system for research and technological infrastructures; strengthening the international dimension and sustainability of research and technological infrastructures. A trend of gradual integration of Ukraine's research and innovation sphere into the European Research Area through expanding Ukraine's participation in the implementation of the European Union's Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation is identified. The authors conclude that the common position of the European Union and Ukraine in innovative cooperation is to recognize: the goals of the renewed European Research Area; research and innovation as key drivers and essential tools for sustainable growth, innovative development, economic competitiveness, and attractiveness, as well as the role of European partnerships; the terminology, objectives and instruments of the Horizon Europe programme as part of Ukraine’s national legislation based on Law of Ukraine No. 2233-IX of 3 May 2022. In the absence of effective instruments for the balanced implementation of innovation policy, Ukrainian legislation declaratively establishes the following priorities: ensuring an innovative model of economic development by concentrating state resources on priority areas of scientific and technical modernization of production, increasing the competitiveness of domestic products on domestic and foreign markets; promoting the development of innovative infrastructure as one of the main principles of state innovation policy aimed at supporting the development of Ukraine’s economy through innovation. The need to align the national terminology tools and state innovation policy with EU legal regulations is emphasized. In other words, the dominant priority for Ukraine’s innovative integration into the high-tech European space is the comprehensive systematization and harmonization of the legislative framework, with a focus on its actual effectiveness in accordance with the norms and standards of European Union legislation, instruments, and implementation practices.
The article examines the challenges of enhancing capital productivity in the regions of Ukraine under wartime conditions, emphasizing it as one of the key drivers of territorial economic resilience. It notes that the intensification of investments aimed at modernizing production capacities, developing social and transport infrastructure, as well as rebuilding industrial facilities, significantly improves the efficiency of capital utilization and contributes to the creation of conditions for sustainable economic growth. The concept of a driver of regional capital productivity growth is defined as a key factor that stimulates the more efficient use of capital and increases its overall return. Based on an expert survey, the regional specifics of innovation activity in Ukraine’s regions during the war are examined, and its role in enhancing the productive capacity of the regions is determined. The dynamics of capital investments in regional economies are analyzed. The specifics of the activities of the main groups of investors in the regions are considered, and the priority areas for investment are identified and assessed. A covariation between the number of key types of investors and the number of selected priority investment areas, as well as the adaptability of regional policy under wartime conditions, are determined and explained in the context of the interaction between regional authorities and investors. Analysis of investment activity in Ukraine’s regions during the war shows that regional investment activity under such conditions is a critical factor influencing not only the short-term survival of regional economies but also the foundation for their recovery and long-term development. The analysis reveals significant differences across regions depending on their geographical location, level of economic development, and direct exposure to military threats. The authors conclude that increasing investment activity during wartime is a key driver that can preserve and enhance capital productivity in Ukraine’s regions, laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth in the post-war period. Through systemic efforts of the state, international support, and adaptive measures to assist businesses, it is possible to achieve stable growth and economic recovery, which will subsequently form the basis for Ukraine’s integration into global economic processes and structures.
investment activity, organizational and investment framework, growth driver, capital productivity, regional economy, Ukraine
The innovative activity of industrial enterprises is a key prerequisite for a country’s socio-economic development and the strengthening of its defense capabilities. Innovation drives growth in labor productivity, added value, and profitability. This article aims to model the relationships between innovation and employment, as well as between innovation and wages in the industrial sector of the economy. It shows that identifying the patterns of how the level of product innovativeness influences employment and remuneration in industry is only possible through empirical research based on long-term trends in the functioning of a relatively stable economy such as that of the European Union. Ukraine’s gradual progress toward EU membership, as a strategic development path, emphasizes the relevance of scientific inquiry in this area, particularly in view of the potential to extrapolate certain findings to the national economy. Given the significant similarities between Ukraine and Poland as neighboring countries with comparable socio-economic indicators, the study of innovation dynamics in Polish industry is of particular relevance. Accordingly, the empirical validation of the hypotheses proposed by the authors of this study was carried out using correlation-regression analysis of official data from Statistics Poland. The authors propose two fundamental hypotheses that capture the regularities of how product innovativeness (measured as the share of net revenues from the sale of innovative products in the total net revenues of industrial enterprises) influence employment and wage levels and empirically substantiate them using the example of Poland’s industrial sector. Based on the correlation-regression analysis, the study demonstrates a strong positive relationship between product innovativeness and the share of industry in the overall employment structure. A regression model is constructed to estimate how employment in Polish industry changes with a one-percentage-point increase in product innovativeness. The authors also confirm the hypothesis that rising product innovativeness positively influences the growth of gross average monthly wages in the industrial sector. A quadratic nonlinear regression model is developed, enabling highly accurate forecasting of changes in gross average monthly wages in Polish industry based on shifts in product innovativeness. The modeling results provide a scientific foundation for strategic macroeconomic planning and socio-economic forecasting, and serve as a theoretical platform for further research in this field.
The article addresses the evolution of the e-governance model and its characteristics. The stages of the formation of the e-governance concept are analyzed, from the automation of bureaucratic processes to the systemic digital transformation of public administration. The differences between the concepts of "e-government" and "e-governance" are revealed, approaches to interpreting their essence by international organizations and in domestic legislation are characterized, and their role in the development of e-democracy is defined. The principles of e-governance include transparency, accountability, security, efficiency, convenience and simplicity of use, and scalability of solutions. The stages of the development of the e-governance concept in the world are outlined, and their dominant trends are characterized. The stages of maturity of the government's online presence according to the UN methodology are presented. Attention is focused on the fact that Ukraine is currently at the transactional level of e-governance development, while demonstrating high results in the citizen participation index and the maturity of open data. The four basic models of interaction between the state and key participants within e-governance (G2C, G2B, G2G, and G2E) are characterized, and their advantages are defined. The article notes that the G2C model is the most prioritized, as it is the one that most significantly affects citizens and determines the quality of their interaction with the state. Special attention is paid to the fact that e-governance is implemented through modern digital tools that help governments automate processes, provide services online, and improve interaction with citizens, businesses, and other institutions. The tools for the implementation of digital governance and their functional purpose at different levels of the management hierarchy are analyzed. The main tools include government service portals, electronic document management systems, electronic signatures, open data, online consultations and petitions, electronic procurement, and e-voting systems, which ensure the transparency and convenience of state processes. The article substantiates that the implementation of e-governance tools in Ukraine contributes to the modernization of public administration and the improvement of the quality of service provision, and at the same time, acts as an integral part of the country's European integration process and the alignment of the system of state and regional governance with the practices of the European Union.
e-government, state management, e-government tools
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