UDC 332.1:330.341.1(477:4-EU); JEL R11, O31, O57, O18
Prytula, Kh. M., Kalat, Ya. Ya., Toca, C.-V., & Zakharchuk, Ye. V. (2026). Rehional'ni innovatsiyni systemy Ukrayiny v koordynatakh YeS: transformatsiyni vyklyky ta vektory konverhentsiyi [Regional innovation systems of Ukraine in EU coordinates: Transformational challenges and vectors of convergence]. Rehional'na ekonomika - Regional Economy, 121 (3), 134-148. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36818/1562-0905-2026-3-10 [in Ukrainian].
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Authors



Prytula Khrystyna Myroslavivna

Doctor of Economics, Senior Researcher

Head of Sector of the Sector of transborder cooperation of the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of NAS of Ukraine

Contacts: khrystynka.prytula@gmail.com, khrystynka_p@hotmail.com

Webpages:

Kalat Yaroslava Yaroslavivna

Ph.D. of Economics

Senior Researcher, Scientific Secretary of the unit of the Sector of transborder cooperation of the Dolishniy Institute of Regional Research of NAS of Ukraine

Contacts: syaya@ukr.net

Webpages:

Toca Constantin-Vasile

Doctor of Philosophy

Associate Professor of the University of Oradea

Contacts: constantin.toca@gmail.com

Webpages:

Zakharchuk Yevheniy Volodymyrovych

Researcher of the Western Scientific Center of NAS of Ukraine and MES of Ukraine

Contacts: yevgeniy.zakhar@gmail.com

Webpages:

Resume

The purpose of the article is to conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of the regional innovation systems of Ukraine and the EU based on the adaptation of the European Regional Innovation Scoreboard methodology, taking into account the specifics of national official statistics to identify key gaps, competitive advantages, and vulnerabilities of Ukrainian regions in the context of European integration. The methodology is based on the European Regional Innovation Scoreboard (EU-RIS) and European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) approaches, adapted to Ukraine’s conditions and official statistics requirements. The spatial framework is aligned with NUTS-UA standards. To overcome wartime statistical limitations, proxy indicators, bibliometric analysis of Scopus databases, and a combined method for allocating patent and licensing activity (UANIPIO, EUIPO) by region were applied. The results reveal a deep structural gap between the regional innovation ecosystems of Ukraine and the EU across virtually all parameters. In particular, the study identifies the dominance of inertial budget-centrism, the persistence of a «closed innovation» model, and a low level of business sector activity in R&D, commercialization, and international patenting (PCT, EUIPO) against the backdrop of a high level of digitalization in certain regions. The originality of the study lies in the development of an adapted methodological toolkit for benchmarking regional innovation systems under conditions of limited official national statistics and martial law, which enabled a detailed comparison of Ukrainian Oblasts with European regions. The practical value of the results lies in their potential use by state authorities and local self-government bodies to improve public innovation policy, implement smart specialization strategies, overcome digital and technological disparities, and accelerate the integration of domestic businesses into European research spaces.

Keywords:

regional innovation systems, innovations, regions of Ukraine, European Union, Regional Innovation Scoreboard, European integration, innovation development, local statistics