UDC 332.1:339.92(4-6EU:477); JEL R11, R58, F15, O18
Davymuka, S. A. (2026). Tendentsiyi rozvytku rehional'noyi ekonomiky Yevropeys'koho Soyuzu: instytutsiyni mozhlyvosti dlya Ukrayiny [Trends in the development of the regional economy of the European Union: institutional opportunities for Ukraine]. Rehional'na ekonomika - Regional Economy, 121 (3), 107-121. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36818/1562-0905-2026-3-8 [in Ukrainian].
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Authors



Davymuka Stepan Antonovych

Doctor of Economics, Professor, Honored Economist of Ukraine

Leading Researcher of the Department of regional financial policy of the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of NAS of Ukraine

Contacts: davymuka.s@gmail.com

Webpages:

Resume

Objective. To identify current trends in the development of the European Union’s regional economy, to systematize the institutional and practical foundations for the implementation of EU regional policy, and to substantiate the possibilities for adapting European approaches to strategic planning for regional and local development in Ukraine in the context of European integration, reconstruction and structural transformation of the economy. Methodology. The methodological basis of the study comprises a place-based approach to regional development, the tenets of institutional theory and the principles of strategic planning. Systematic, comparative and retrospective analysis were applied, along with a critical analysis of EU and Ukrainian regulatory and policy documents, the synthesis method for generalizing trends in regional development, and graphical methods for visualizing its parameters. Particular attention is paid to the institutional mechanisms of cohesion policy, strategic investment, innovation policy, the development of rural areas and the transformation of approaches to regional support in 2025–2026. Results. It has been established that the EU’s regional economy is developing against a backdrop of intensifying geopolitical, technological, demographic and structural challenges, which is driving the transformation of cohesion policy instruments and mechanisms for supporting territories. The key trends in the EU’s regional development have been systematized: the orientation of strategic planning towards European values and territorial cohesion; the use of strategic investments to stimulate economic growth and improve quality of life; the adaptation of budgetary and program mechanisms to external and internal changes; the strengthening of the role of innovation, digitalization and the green transition; and the development of regional programs and interregional integration. It has been established that the effectiveness of the European model is ensured by multi-annual programming, the alignment of strategic priorities, a clear division of powers, uniform standards, transparency and the ability to adjust programs in line with the results achieved. Originality. The paper elaborates on the transformation of the EU’s regional economy under the influence of the interplay between geopolitical, innovation- and technology-related, green and digital factors. Current trends in the EU’s regional development have been systematized, and the institutional possibilities for their adaptation in Ukraine have been identified, taking into account the objectives of European integration, post-war reconstruction, decentralization and the need to strengthen the capacity of regional and local institutions.

Keywords:

regional economy, European Union, trends, strategic planning, state regional policy