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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On August 28, 2026, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Morshyn City Council.
The Memorandum initiates a strategic partnership aimed at scientific, methodological and expert support for the socio-economic development of the Morshyn urban territorial community, improving the system of strategic planning and management of community development, increasing the community's attractiveness for attracting investments and implementing promising projects.
Special attention within the framework of cooperation will be paid to issues of strategic planning, spatial and socio-economic development, attracting investments, implementing community restoration and development projects.
The first joint project within the framework of cooperation is the development of the Morshyn Urban Territorial Community Development Strategy for the period 2028–2034.
The initiated partnership will become the basis for new joint initiatives, projects and solutions aimed at sustainable development, strengthening the amenity and improving the quality of life of the residents of the Morshyn community.
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On June 25, 2026, a meeting of the Academic Council of the State Institution «M. I. Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of the NAS of Ukraine» was held under the chairmanship of the Director of the institution, Doctor of Economics, Professor Taras Vasyltsiv.
The agenda covered a number of important issues:

• Nomination of the Institute’s research project for the competition of scientific, research, and development (experimental) projects under the budget program «Support for the Development of Priority Areas of Scientific Research» for 2027–2028. All council members engaged in an active and productive discussion, aligning the core provisions of the future application.
• Approval of educational-scientific programs, curricula, and entrance examination programs for the specialties C1 «Economics and International Economic Relations» and D2 «Finance, Banking, Insurance, and Stock Market» within the framework of educational activities at the third (educational-scientific) level of higher education (PhD level). The modifications to the provisions were presented by the Head of the Department of Problems of Socio-Humanitarian Development of Regions, Doctor of Economics, Senior Researcher Olha MULSKA (guarantor of the program for specialty C1), and Leading Researcher of the Department of Regional Financial Policy, Doctor of Economics, Professor Halyna VOZNYAK (guarantor of the program for specialty D2). Postgraduate students can access the educational-scientific programs, curricula, and entrance examination programs for both specialties on the Institute’s website via the following link;
• Conferring the academic title of Senior Researcher upon Yaroslava Kalat, PhD, Senior Researcher of the Sector of Cross-Border Cooperation. Following a secret ballot, the members of the Council unanimously approved a positive decision.
• Recommendation for publication of the Institute’s scientific periodicals, specifically the upcoming issues of the journal «Regional Economy» (Rehionalna Ekonomika) and the journal «Socio-Economic Problems of the Modern Period of Ukraine». We cordially invite colleagues to submit their articles to the future issues of these Category «B» professional journals.

Among other matters at the meeting, Iryna Leshchukh, PhD, Senior Researcher of the Department of Spatial Development, was awarded a Certificate of Merit on behalf of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Council of Young Scientists of the NAS of Ukraine for her active participation and significant achievements in scientific activity. We sincerely congratulate our colleague and wish her further scholarly accomplishments!
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On June 15–18, 2026, the city of Gothenburg (Sweden) hosted the annual Regional Studies Association (RSA) Conference. It is one of the world's most prestigious scientific platforms in the fields of regional studies, spatial development, urban studies, economic geography, and regional policy. This year's event brought together participants from around 55 countries, including representatives of leading universities, research centers, international organizations, and government authorities. The conference program featured over 700 scientific presentations, plenary lectures by leading international scholars, thematic sessions, and professional discussions dedicated to contemporary challenges in urban and regional development.
The conference was attended by Solomiya Tkach, PhD, Senior Researcher, Head of the Department of International Cooperation and Project Activity at the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of NAS of Ukraine and Senior Researcher at the Department of Spatial Development. She delivered a presentation titled "Transforming European Cities: Spatial Practices of Ukrainian Refugees as Agents of Urban Change", which focuses on the transformation of European cities under the influence of forced migration of Ukrainians after 2022 (conducted with the support of the Institute for Urban and Regional Research of the Austrian Academy of Sciences within the JESH program). The presentation revealed how the spatial practices of internally displaced Ukrainians in Vienna and Prague influence the development of urban areas, the formation of new social ties, service infrastructure, and urban spaces, demonstrating the role of the Ukrainian community as an active participant in contemporary urban transformations.
Special attention during the conference was paid to the international promotion of the Institute. English-language promotional and presentation materials about the Institute, its research areas, international activities, and partnership development opportunities were presented to the participants, contributing to the increase of the Institute's international visibility and the establishment of new professional contacts.
An important outcome of participating in RSA 2026 was also the expansion of the Institute's international partnership network. During the conference, Solomiya Tkach held a series of working meetings with representatives of universities, research institutions, and international professional associations. These meetings focused on discussing prospects for developing bilateral cooperation, preparing joint international projects, academic exchanges, and implementing new scientific initiatives.
Participation in the conference was not only an opportunity to present research results to the international academic community but also an important step in developing the Institute's international partnerships and expanding its cooperation with the world's leading scientific institutions.
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On June 17–18, 2026, a working meeting was held in Nyíregyháza (Hungary) to discuss the draft Spatial Planning Scheme of the Transcarpathian Region. The event was held with the support of the international project “Secure and Effective Borders in the Carpathian Region” (Secure Borders, HUSKROUA/23/S/3.2/018), funded under the Interreg VI-A NEXT Hungary-Slovakia-Romania-Ukraine 2021–2027 Programme.
The meeting program included consultations with stakeholders and approval of key areas of the Spatial Planning Scheme. Representatives of the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) “Tysa”; International Association of Regional Development Institutes (IARD); Infrastructure Restoration and Development Service in the Transcarpathian Region; Department of Urban Planning and Architecture of the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration; State Enterprise "Dipromisto"; representatives of the border and customs departments of Ukraine and Hungary participated in the work.
From the scientific community, the head of the cross-border cooperation sector of the IRD NAS of Ukraine, Doctor of Economics Khrystyna Prytula, participated in the working group. As part of the event, she presented a report on the topic: "Preliminary and potential directions for the development of border crossing infrastructure: the Ukrainian-Hungarian section of the state border".
The presentation outlined the strategic vision for the development of border infrastructure, which is an important component of the Territorial Planning Scheme and increasing the efficiency of cross-border interaction between Ukraine and the EU.
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