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Progress monitoring and action recalibrations are advocated as promising methods for improving road safety, which significantly relates to economic stability and social development. To achieve this, an auditing framework that can evaluate road safety and aid in policymaking is urgently required. To this end, this study developed a systemic decision model that integrates the method based on the removal effects of criteria (MEREC), additive ratio assessment (ARAS), and quantile-based k-means clustering (QBKM), termed MEREC–ARAS–QBKM, with the aim of auditing road safety achievements and providing corresponding policy suggestions with substantial reliability. In particular, the performance of the traditional k-means clustering model was improved by implanting quantiles to determine the initial clustering, which overcomes the uncertainty of k-means clustering owing to the variety of initial cluster centers. Multiple comparisons of empirical results based on a case study of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies verified the robustness of the proposed model, demonstrating its applicability, practicability, and reliability in handling real-world multi-criteria decision-making problems in the field of road safety. The empirical findings show that road safety developments among the APEC countries are of class differentiation, suggesting an urgent regional benchmarking. Overall, the proposed methodology empowers decision-makers and policymakers in APEC to swiftly formulate effective action plans, countermeasures, and investment schemes, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of road safety performance and socio-economic benefit across APEC members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article relates the lively debate about inequality-induced status concerns in affluent societies to the broader theoretical perspective on changing existential dispositions in modern society, which we reconstruct from the sociological theories of David Riesman, Gerhard Schulze and Ronald Inglehart. We conceptualise experience seeking – aspiring to an enjoyable life – alongside status seeking – aspiring to a successful life – as a presumably increasing life orientation. Using extensive data from the European Social Survey, for 27 countries and over 350,000 respondents over the period 2002–2018, we examine the extent and relationship of these orientations over time, their associations with socio-economic development and income inequality, as well as their social stratification according to individual-level characteristics. The results show that the populations of wealthy and economically more equal societies increasingly prefer an exciting life to a successful one. Within societies, men, younger people and the highly educated value both experiences and status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin of Soil & Water Conservation is the property of Bulletin of Soil & Water Conservation Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article is a continuation of the work published in the previous issue of the journal.1 The main approaches to constructing scenarios for long-term socio-economic development are compared, both structural and morphological. The results of the scenario are verified using the traditional structural method based on the morphological approach, and a system of mutually agreed upon scenarios for long-term socio-economic and scientific and technological development is proposed (based on the structural approach). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issues of economic inequality and justice were considered in the works of the philosophers of Ancient Greece. Over time, the problem of income inequality has not lost its relevance, which is confirmed by domestic and foreign studies. Until 2015, the capital of the Russian Federation had the highest value of the Gini index, which indicates a high degree of inequality in income distribution in the territory of this subject. Over time, the situation has changed, in particular, by increasing the incomes of the least well-off groups of the population, providing them with subsidies and payments. The purpose of the study is to analyse to what extent these changes have an impact on the socio-economic development of the region. With the help of econometric calculations, the degree of dependence between the equity index and the value of the gross regional product per capita has been determined. It is revealed that there is an inverse relationship between the considered indicators, that is, a reduction in income inequality has an impact on the growth of regional production. The high value of the coefficient of determination indicates the high quality of the constructed model. The possibility of using the simulation results in practice is confirmed by calculations of the average approximation error and the Fisher criterion.

Abstract Progress monitoring and action recalibrations are advocated as promising methods for improving road safety, which significantly relates to economic stability and social development. To achieve this, an auditing framework that can evaluate road safety and aid in policymaking is urgently required. To this end, this study developed a systemic decision model that integrates the method based on the removal effects of criteria (MEREC), additive ratio assessment (ARAS), and quantile-based k-means clustering (QBKM), termed MEREC–ARAS–QBKM, with the aim of auditing road safety achievements and providing corresponding policy suggestions with substantial reliability. In particular, the performance of the traditional k-means clustering model was improved by implanting quantiles to determine the initial clustering, which overcomes the uncertainty of k-means clustering owing to the variety of initial cluster centers. Multiple comparisons of empirical results based on a case study of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies verified the robustness of the proposed model, demonstrating its applicability, practicability, and reliability in handling real-world multi-criteria decision-making problems in the field of road safety. The empirical findings show that road safety developments among the APEC countries are of class differentiation, suggesting an urgent regional benchmarking. Overall, the proposed methodology empowers decision-makers and policymakers in APEC to swiftly formulate effective action plans, countermeasures, and investment schemes, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of road safety performance and socio-economic benefit across APEC members.

The contribution of agriculture in the socio-economic development is undeniable and is truly an important part of the Philippine economy. It is also a major source of livelihood and employment of most Filipinos especially in the rural areas. The general intent of this study is to evaluate the impact of the government agricultural intervention on selected upland communities in Goa, Camarines Sur especially on the far-flung barangays of the municipality using Regression Discontinuity Design. This study assessed the socio-economic and poverty status of the local farmers through the agricultural interventions received. The results showed that the distribution of seeds, fertilizers and cash assistance to the upland farmers could improve the overall outputs of the farmers, which can help alleviate their lives. Similarly, the agricultural interventions of the government have great and positive impact to alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life of the local farmers. However, irrigation and farm-to-market roads need to be prioritized to ensure that agricultural production output increase.

The assessment of the population's quality of life is an important analytical tool of the state socio-economic policy, which allows analyzing the current level of regional development, the population's satis-faction with living conditions, making interregional comparisons, determining shortcomings and prospec-tive directions of public administration. At the same time, objective statistical indicators, on which the state management is based, in many respects may not coincide with the subjectively perceived quality of life of the population. In this context, the presented research is particularly relevant and practically significant. The purpose of the research is to identify the problems of development of the Murmansk Oblast, the most industrially and territorially developed region of the Arctic zone of Russia, on the basis of the comparison of subjectively perceived assessments of the quality of life and objective socio-economic characteristics, and to outline ways to solve them. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were solved: the methodology for assessing the subjectively perceived and statistically determined quality of life of the population on the basis of indicators characterizing personal well-being and the quality of the living environment was developed; the subjectively perceived quality of life was assessed on the basis of the author’s methodology including the results of surveys of the population of cities and towns in the Murmansk Oblast; the quality of life of the population of the Murmansk Oblast was assessed on the basis of statistical data of socio-economic development; the data of the obtained assessments were compared, similarities and differences in the satisfaction of the population with personal well-being (as well as with the living environment) and statistical characteristics were revealed; the most important problems of socio-economic development, the resolution of which will improve the quality of life of the population of the Arctic region, were identified.

Artificial intelligence is revolutionising the banking sector, offering a range of benefits such as enhanced customer support, improved fraud detection and more informed decision-making. Banks are using AI technologies to optimise their operations, improve customer service, and proactively manage risks, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. The article is devoted to the issue of studying the use of artificial intelligence in the banking sector. The purpose of the article is to explore the potential of artificial intelligence for the banking sector. The article uses methods of data analysis and synthesis, systematisation and comparison. The article uses statistical data from the World Bank, the State Statistics Service of Ukraine and other official websites. The authors analyse the positive and negative aspects of the use of artificial intelligence in the banking system. Artificial intelligence technologies allow banks to process large amounts of structured and unstructured data to predict market trends, gain insights and identify investment opportunities, which ultimately leads to better decision-making. In banking, the main purpose of AI is to help consumers by prioritising their choices. AI also helps to ensure that customers are satisfied with the bank's services. The paper presents a statistical analysis of GDP growth, inflation and public debt in some countries of the world. With the emergence and spread of FinTech and DeFi technologies and the introduction of CBDC, the system of control and regulation of cash flows is becoming more complex. The practical value of the publication lies in the authors' recommendations on the application of artificial intelligence in the banking sector. The authors suggest ways to maximise the positive effect of artificial intelligence in the banking sector.

Abstract The Himalayas, globally acknowledged as one of the four biodiversity hotspots, underscore their ecological significance, boasting abundant flora and fauna. Among these, a diverse array of wild fruits such as Aegle marmelos, Artocarpus lakoocha, Baccaurea spp., Carissa spp., and others provide essential nutrition for local populations. These fruits, rich in bioactive compounds, offer nutraceutical potential, contributing to health aspects like antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. The integration of Himalayan wild fruits into circular practices supports sustainable livelihoods. The responsible harvesting, efficient processing, and value addition of these fruits align with circular principles, striking a balance between conservation and progress. Technologies such as anaerobic digestion, waste-to-energy conversion, and composting can harness waste generated during cultivation and processing, contributing to a circular economy and rural Himalayan community development. Preserving, accessing, and commercializing underutilized fruits can significantly enhance economic prosperity and the quality of life for inhabitants. However, integrating these fruits into agriculture faces multifaceted challenges, spanning social, economic, environmental, agronomic, and political dimensions. Addressing these challenges is crucial for sustainable development, aiming to eradicate poverty, malnutrition, and hidden hunger. Moreover, addressing these challenges is not only vital for sustainable development in the Himalayan region but also for mitigating carbon footprints and tackling issues like poverty, malnutrition, hidden hunger, and climate change. The exploration of these concepts within the Himalayan context holds immense promise for sustainable development and ecological conservation. Graphical Abstract

One of the main regional drivers for the development of domestic tourism in our country is the Krasnodar Territory. Taking into account the strategic development of the industry until 2030, there is a significant shortage of personnel for the effective development of domestic tourism in the Krasnodar Territory. As a result, it is possible to formulate a research problem caused by a significant gap between the requirements of the socio-economic development of the region and the current state of affairs in the field of personnel training for the development of domestic tourism in the Krasnodar Territory.The goal of the research is to identify the main problems in the process of training personnel for the development of domestic tourism in the Krasnodar Territory, and to formulate the main directions for optimizing this process. The methodological basis of the research is determined by the use of such scientific research methods as studying scientific literature, analysis, generalization, description.The research results: it has been determined that currently the personnel shortage in the domestic tourism industry, according to various estimates, ranges from 30% to 40%. At the same time, there are a number of significant problems in the system of training personnel for the development of domestic tourism in the Krasnodar Territory as a factor in the socio-economic development of the region. Accordingly, it is necessary to correct the personnel training process for the development of domestic tourism in the Krasnodar Territory.Key conclusions: It is necessary to revise training curricula towards their practice-oriented nature, taking into account the development of digital technologies, improve career guidance work, and more actively involve employer representatives in the development of curricula, as well as current and intermediate certification.

This paper investigates the financial importance of development banks across regions and income groups. We construct a global banking dataset for the period 1995 to 2021 and analyse the distribution of development banking assets across macro regions and country income groups. We create a composite global and national Development Bank Financial Importance index (DBFI index) that enables us to rank the most financially important development banks across the globe. Development banks play significant and diverse roles in the global financial system, but their financial importance varies across regions and income groups. The paper offers a broad analysis of the global development banking landscape and advances the area of research further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Coastal areas are densely populated, economically developed, and form complex social-ecological systems. Any regional changes within these areas have profound consequences for their socio-economic development and ecological environments. Methods: Based on multi-source remote sensing image data, a detailed analysis of the coastline of the Ningbo-Taizhou-Wenzhou region (Yong-Tai-Wen region) from 1980 to 2020 was conducted, and the spatiotemporal changes of the coastline were analyzed. Regression analysis was employed to investigate the correlation between the coastline length and various factors, including the degree of industrialization, GDP, urban land, and arable land. Results and Discussion: The results show that: 1) From 1980 to 2020, the overall length of the coastline in the Yong-Tai-Wen region exhibited a decreasing trend, accompanied by a continual increase in the degree of artificial coastline. Consequently, the coastline became increasingly fragmented and tortuous. Notably, the intensity of coastline change fluctuated significantly, peaking in 2010. 2) At the regional scale, there is a strong negative correlation between the length of the coastline in the Yong-Tai-Wen region and GDP and land use, whereas the correlation with cultivated land area remains relatively low. Conversely, the proportion of human-made coastlines demonstrates a strong positive correlation with GDP and urban land use but a significant negative correlation with cultivated land area. 3) At the city scale, the length of the coastline in Ningbo shows a significant negative correlation with GDP while exhibiting a certain correlation with urban land use. Similarly, the coastline length in Taizhou also displays a strong negative association with both GDP and urban land use. In contrast, the correlation patterns observed in Wenzhou are opposite to those in Taizhou. Notably, the correlation between the length of the coastline and cultivated land area remains relatively weak across all three cities. Additionally, the proportion of artificial coastlines in Ningbo and Taizhou aligns with the overall trend in the Yong-Tai-Wen region. Specifically, the proportion of artificial coastlines in Wenzhou exhibits a positive correlation with GDP and urban land use and a negative correlation with cultivated land area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine coastal resources are crucial to Tanzania's socio‐economic development and are a lifeline for the livelihoods and incomes of coastal communities. This study provides an overview of the coastal development of mariculture in mainland Tanzania and suggests future development strategies. The review article covers extensive reports available through field interviews, government policy documents, library literature searches and field work carried out by the authors. Despite the immense potential of mariculture to improve food security for localcommunities, its development has been uneven. Specifically only seaweed farming has advanced to commercial‐scale production. Other mariculture activities, such as finfish farming (e.g. milkfish, silver pompano), shellfish farming (e.g. prawn, mud crab and half‐pearl) and sea cucumber farming, are underdeveloped and confined to small‐scale operations. Locally consumed finfish, such as milkfish and pompano, have not attracted investors out of fear that the recovery of investment may not be achieved due to the low prices offered in the market. In this context, the sustainable use of coastal resources through mariculture becomes paramount to alleviating poverty and facilitating controlled migration from rural to urban. This comprehensive review explores the historical evolution and current status of mariculture initiatives in the coastal waters of mainland Tanzania, which presents a crucial aspect of the socio‐economic development of the nation. With declining global capture fisheries production and a growing demand for fish protein, Tanzania has strategically embraced mariculture as a viable alternative. The article traced the development of mariculture since the 1970s, highlighting past and current initiatives managed by government agencies, non‐government organizations and the private sector. Notable successes, such as seaweed culture, are highlighted along with the challenges that hinder the growth of marine farming activities. The review integrates insights from a comprehensive survey in coastal Tanzania, focusing on mariculture activities and collecting information on people who have stopped such practices, elucidating reasons for quitting. By consolidating experiences from past and present mariculture initiatives, this review provides valuable guidance for decision‐making towards promoting sustainable mariculture that supports coastal communities while preserving marine biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National strategic documents set ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This also applies to the solid waste management sector, which is experiencing a steady dynamic growth in emissions. The planned measures within the framework of the National Project "Ecology" will not be sufficient for reducing the volume of solid waste disposal and emissions from waste. Positive changes are only possible with a simultaneous increase in new waste recycling capacity and launching a large-scale process of reclaiming land currently occupied by landfills. Pursuing such a course of action has a pronounced social character while its macroeconomic effectiveness is low. The low-emission transformation of the waste management sector requires significant and continuous government incentives through financial support, setting targets, and monitoring their implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines main approaches to creating scenarios for long-term socio-economic development and identifies their key advantages and disadvantages. The results of applying a structural approach to constructing scenarios using data from a survey of experts in the main areas of long-term socio-economic development are presented. A two-step procedure is proposed where the factors are ordered by significance for long-term development and relationships between them are identified. The resulting three scenarios are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public libraries have increasingly become vital institutions in addressing the digital literacy gap, particularly in socio-economically disadvantaged communities. This paper investigates the role of public libraries in promoting digital literacy and its contribution to socio-economic development, focusing on the effectiveness of various policy frameworks that support these initiatives. By conducting a comparative analysis of policies in multiple regions, the study examines the accessibility of digital tools and education provided by public libraries. Findings indicate that libraries act as critical hubs for technology access, providing individuals with the skills needed to participate in the digital economy. However, challenges such as limited funding, lack of updated resources, and inconsistent policy implementation across different regions hinder the effectiveness of these programs. This paper offers recommendations for policymakers, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive national digital strategies that integrate public libraries as key drivers of socio-economic growth. Collaboration between libraries, governments, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is essential to strengthen the impact of these initiatives, particularly in addressing the digital divide in underserved communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on Pentecostalism and its real and possible contributions to socio-economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. First, we provide an overall historical and theological introduction to Pentecostalism in sub-Saharan Africa, especially as these relate to socio-economic wellbeing. The heart of our research is a review of the literature on African Pentecostalism focused on economic development. We conclude with an exploration of the challenges and opportunities the movement faces in contributing to development across the continent. The question we seek to pursue is as follows: what theological and missiological resources might pentecostal–charismatic communities contribute to improve the socio-economic circumstances of the people of sub-Saharan Africa? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of polluting energy sources for daily household needs can lead to complex issues, ranging from health deterioration and reduced quality of life to adverse socioeconomic consequences. While previous studies have predominantly focused on the health and welfare impacts of dirty energy use, this research highlights the effects of clean energy transition on household socioeconomic development, employing an innovative approach through the Household Development Index (HHDI). This longitudinal study utilizes data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) conducted in 2007 and 2014, revealing the dynamics of household energy consumption changes over a seven-year period. The study employs the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method to calculate the average treatment effect on the treated of household clean energy transition. The analysis results show that households transitioning to cleaner energy sources experienced a 3.72% higher increase in development index compared to if they had continued using unclean energy. Robustness tests were conducted using the Coarsened Exact Matching (CEM) technique and a combination of CEM-PSM. These robustness tests also yielded similar and consistent results. Impact estimations performed on different sub-samples indicate that the impact of energy transition in rural areas is greater than in urban areas. This research makes an important contribution by presenting new empirical evidence on the comprehensive impact of clean energy transition on household socio-economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology has become an integral part of society and it has affected different sphere, and one of them the increasing significance of digital literacy as the tool of people's empowering. The subject matter of this research paper relates to gender and technology; this paper adopts a sociological lens to analyse how the least digital literacy favours women. It looks at how digital skills mitigate existing gaps that limit women from gaining information, education and employment to make the gaps between male and female minimal. In the study, there is a focus on case studies, interviews, quantitative data collection to understand the problem of women's inclusion into the digital environment, including cultural barriers, limited access to tools, and resources, and differences in education. Hence the conclusions drawn from the study indicate the importance in assisting women be economically and socially empowered by enhancing the digital literacy as this transforms the power relations in the household and other spheres of life. Thus, this paper underlines the importance of policy, construction of infrastructures, and specific courses in digital literacy for been to guarantee that they will embrace information technology as a tool for the enhancement of their liberation and social kindness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus 2019 pandemic has influenced the internationalization of higher education, reflecting its broader impacts on the economic, geopolitical, and technological development of countries. Governments have prioritized the internationalization of higher education post-pandemic to generate income and create a sustainable economy by cultivating foreign language talents. Although there are studies analyzing the internationalization of higher education through the students' mobility, in our case, there is a scarcity of studies on the internationalization between China and Spain; in particular, Spanish universities lack references to attract more Chinese students. To bridge this gap in the literature, we conducted semi-structured interviews with eight experts in the implementation of internationalization in higher education from four universities in China and Spain. The findings reveal that internationalization is associated with promoting Chinese regional development, and their students can access better quality education. Key motivators for Chinese students in Spain include the improved world ranking of universities and the demand for more courses in English. Although the biggest obstacle to cooperation between both countries is communication, a trusted intermediary could overcome part of this problem. Moreover, the use of new technologies could facilitate sustainable internationalization and regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin of Ablai Khan KazUIRandWL: Series 'International Relations & Regional Studies' is the property of Kazakh Ablai Khan University of International Relations & World Languages and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research investigates the perceptions of teacher trainees regarding the contribution of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to socio-economic development, with a specific focus on Tamale College of Education in Ghana, as a case study. A quantitative research approach was used to understand the conceptual framework and hypotheses of the study. It adopted a descriptive survey method and collected data with copies of questionnaire from 500 participants to determine the perception of employability after TVET and student competence for TVET and assess their understanding of the relationship between TVET and socio-economic development. Using structural equational modelling, the study utilised SmartPLS V4 to analyse participants’ responses. The results revealed that the perception of student competence for TVET and employability thereafter significantly affects their relationship with the perception of the contribution of TVET towards socio-economic development. Further, moderation effects analysis suggests that the moderator, student competence, weakens the relationship of how their employability after TVET could influence the eventual contribution of TVET towards the country’s socio-economic development. By understanding the trainees’ viewpoints, the research improves TVET programmes and their integration into the broader education system. Again, it provides valuable insights to guide policymakers, curriculum developers, and education administrators in designing effective strategies to strengthen the link between TVET and socio-economic development.

AbstractThe tourism sector has enormous potential to positively impact the socio-economic dimension of Uzbekistan. The nation is ready to take advantage of globalization as a central theme and in this process, human resources will play a crucial role. In this research, the authors have delved into the status and problems of human resources and provided a managerial pathway to success. This research study includes both primary and secondary methods of research. We analyzed various reports on human resources from developmental and international organizations to understand the existing structures and gaps in Uzbekistan. This work formed the theoretical background for mixed-method research (MMR). For the qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with stakeholders to obtain a real picture of the tourism sphere. To support the findings from the interviews and to provide a quantitative analysis a total of 55 companies were surveyed through online questionnaires. The data has been analyzed and presented in the form of pie charts answering the research questions. The statistical findings of this research are unique in nature as such research has never been performed in Uzbekistan. The authors found that human resources management is missing amongst the stakeholders and has led to low profitability in the sector. The results are presented in line with the stakeholder collaboration theory which makes this practice-based research. As the world now reopens to trade and travel, it will be vital to direct the efforts in a structured way to harness the potential of this sector for socio-economic progress.

The paper discusses public-private partnership as a management technology—a long-term agreement between national or local government and private company. In times of economic crisis, the role of the private sector becomes increasingly significant as it gains status as an equal partner alongside the state in achieving the country's strategic socio-economic goals. The effectiveness of crisis planning and the restoration of the national economy crucially depend on fostering cooperation between the state, private sector, and civil society institutions. The most effective form of such cooperation is establishing public-private partnerships (PPP). The formation of public-private partnerships is driven not only by the state's motivation to provide financial resources to the private sector for achieving socially significant goals of socio-economic development but is also closely linked to the adoption of complex organizational, managerial, and production technologies. The principles underlying PPP play a crucial role not only in mobilizing financing for the private sector but also in utilizing sophisticated methodologies of organizational effectiveness, strategic management, and advanced production processes. Essentially, the widespread adoption of PPP principles reflects a comprehensive approach to mitigating the crisis's effects, encompassing not only financial considerations but also innovative strategies and cooperative frameworks that extend beyond traditional sectoral boundaries. This multifaceted approach is vital for overcoming economic downturns and charting a course toward sustainable socio-economic development. Thus, integrating PPP principles into crisis management measures represents a holistic strategy that harnesses the collective forces of the state, private sector, and civil society for greater resilience and prosperity of the nation. Objective. The aim of the paper is to analyze the impact of public-private partnership (PPP) assets on economic growth and propose strategies for implementing programs aimed at restoring Ukraine's economy. Methods. Macro-economic analysis, econometric analysis, trend analysis. Results. Enhancing the information infrastructure of PPP should create an atmosphere of trust between private and government entities when establishing contacts for project implementation, as well as realizing the real benefits for each of these entities participating in PPP projects. Ukraine is gradually implementing pilot projects with the support of international organizations and business representatives, leveraging significant economic potential for this purpose. In the context of establishing a legislative and institutional framework, successful preparation and implementation of pilot PPP projects in various sectors of Ukraine's economy, including infrastructure, energy, and municipal services, open up new opportunities for potential investors, banks, and consultants in one of the largest markets in Central and Eastern Europe. Ukraine is a country with rapid development of transportation infrastructure and favorable investment conditions. The Ministry of Infrastructure, supported by the European Union, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and other international partners, is working on modernizing the national transportation system by attracting investments, implementing PPP projects, and engaging private sector investments. Attracting private capital into infrastructure is a key and pressing issue for Ukraine. PPP is considered a social innovation that brings together government and business resources to address social issues. They serve as crisis management tools for ensuring sustainable economic development in regions.

The realities of today and the active phase of the war determine the search for new ways to form the economic potential of Ukraine, considering direct and indirect losses that have arisen as a result of military operations, which determines the relevance of the research topic. Accordingly, the purpose of the study was to analyse the factors of destabilising influence on the economic security of regions and develop ways to restore their socio-economic potential. Special attention in the course of the study was paid to the assessment of losses as a result of military operations and other processes that accompany the functioning of regions in conditions of extreme aggravation of threats. A model for assessing the negative consequences of the impact of temporary emigration, mobilisation, and internal displacement of the population on the socio-economic security of the region is developed. Within the framework of the model, the state of losses was determined depending on the ratio of the main components of temporary emigration, which include: departure from Ukraine and return, the level of job vacancies, and the demand for jobs of medical workers. The main conditions of losses from mobilisation and temporary migration of the population are also determined. It was proved that the implementation of regional rehabilitation programmes will reduce the amount of losses and ensure the growth of the socio-economic potential of the regions in the medium term, including by improving the regulatory support for financing such processes. This will allow getting a substantial social, economic, security, and legal effect. At the same time, an absolutely new field was being formed for further research on the implementation of security mechanisms at the macro, meso, and micro levels in the conditions of war and post-war reconstruction of territories. The results of the study can be used by state institutions and investment funds interested in reconstructing the socio-economic potential of Ukraine and creating safe, favourable conditions for its implementation

This contribution explores the role of political institutions in shaping railway policies in Italy between the war years and the early years of the Italian Republic. During this transitional period, Italy was faced with the need to rebuild and modernise its railway system after the devastating effects of the Second World War. The policies implemented reflected a commitment to upgrading existing infrastructure and building new railway lines in order to improve the connectivity and mobility of people and goods on a national and international scale. Railway policies adopted have contributed significantly to Italy’s socio-economic development, providing an important impetus for the modernisation and growth of the national railway system. However, much work remains to be done to address current and future challenges and to ensure that rail transport continues to play a central role in the country’s future sustainable development.

Abstract This study investigates the determinants of gender disparities in financial inclusion in Pakistan using Global Findex 2021 survey data. We aim to quantify gender gaps in financial access and use, and to analyze the socio-economic factors influencing these disparities. Grounded in Sen’s capability approach and behavioral economics, we employ logistic regression to examine how gender influences the ownership and usage of financial products. Our results reveal significant gender gaps: only 13% of Pakistani women have financial accounts compared to 34% of men, with similar disparities in digital finance. Socio-economic variables like education, income, and employment are found to influence financial inclusion differently for men and women. While generally supportive of financial inclusion, these factors have a weaker effect for women, suggesting deeper societal barriers. This study adds to the global financial inclusion discourse by providing a comprehensive analysis of gender disparities in Pakistan. Our findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive policies that address these disparities to achieve Sustainable Development Goals related to gender equality and economic empowerment.

Improving health is now a major societal goal around the world, with clear direct benefits both in terms of economic development (efficiency in the use of human capital) and in terms of longer and better lives for millions of people. It is also recognised by the global community that improving the health of populations can bring significant indirect benefits to the economy by accelerating social and economic development and improving their quality of life. In this regard, the modernisation of the healthcare system is not only a priority task to be solved within the framework of the region's socio-economic policy, but also a necessary condition for the functioning and development of the region's socio-economic system, ensuring an increase in the efficiency of the region's human capital. Objective. The purpose of the article is to develop scientifically sound approaches to the development of the regional healthcare system, which will ensure an increase in the efficiency of the use of human capital in the region. Methodology. The methodological basis of the study is methodological approaches to the development of the regional healthcare system as a factor of increasing the efficiency of human capital use as a factor of increasing the efficiency of human capital use. Practical implications. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of using the tools and methods, as well as the recommendations set out in the study, in the development of the regional healthcare system as a factor in improving the efficiency of human capital use. Value/Оriginality. It is substantiated that the core of the socio-economic system of the region, which determines the state of human capital, is social infrastructure, in particular healthcare, which forms human capital and determines the possibilities of its use for socio-economic development.

The article analyzes the competitiveness of Ukraine, identifies problems and outlines the prospects and consequences of the country’s European integration aspirations. A retrospective review of the development of the country’s economic model was conducted in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of reforms and identify errors that affected the place and role of the domestic economy in the world markets of goods and capital. This made it possible to single out certain comparative characteristics with the main theories of international trade and international investment. It was noted that unsuccessful attempts to quickly transform from a command-administrative economy to a mixed market system led to a loss of industrial potential and, accordingly, negatively affected the structure of foreign trade relations and the investment climate, which in turn led to a drop in the level of competitiveness of Ukraine. Along with this, the analysis of the key indicators of socio-economic development indicates certain positive changes in the period 2002-2012, which was reflected in the dynamics of GDP growth, an increase in incoming investment flows, stabilization of inflation at the targeted level and overall improved welfare of society. However, the uncertainty and constant change of the vector of economic integration together with the change of power led to the deterioration of the state’s economic condition and made sustainable economic growth impossible. The period of revival of business and investment activity in the post-Covid 2021 year was replaced by a deep crisis with the beginning of the war. At the same time, the aspiration of our state to join the European community nevertheless gave a powerful impetus to the implementation and implementation of innovative reforms, which made it possible to achieve certain success in the direction of digitalization, infrastructure development, and further implementation of educational, medical, and social reforms even during the conduct of military operations. Currently, on the way to European integration, Ukraine is overcoming the difficult path of transforming its economic system to the requirements and values of the EU. Our country, together with the European Union, needs to solve the issues of labor migration and refugees, the introduction of a duty-free regime for domestic goods, the creation of a safe investment climate, etc. And there is not always unity in the choice of tools for solving these issues in the EU countries. Ukraine needs to use its advantages in logistics, geographical location, labor and natural resources, develop an industrial direction, introduce modern technologies, improve its energy independence and take an active part in integration processes. Finding compromises and political will allow Ukraine to successfully reform the socio-economic model and become a full member of the EU.

The purpose of the study is to form an effective tool for classifying the regions of the Russian Federation in the context of innovation activity under technological constraints.Materials and methods. The information and empirical base of the research consists of Decrees of the President of the Russian Federation, normative legal acts of the Government of the Russian Federation, and open set of statistical data provided by the Federal State Statistics Service. The study provides a multidimensional classification of Russian regions using an indicative analysis of the innovative potential of territories and their socio-economic development, clustering by the Ward method and the Euclidean distance metric, as well as analysis, comparison and illustration of the results obtained using methods of visualizing information in tabular, graphical form, including the usage of cartograms.Results. While creating a model of typologization of Russian regions, a system of indicative indexes with both qualitative and quantitative characteristics was formed. Based on them, cluster analysis identifies five clusters of regions according to the level of innovation activity and socio-economic development, which is based on the final weighted average index (Iiv) of development. The results of the study determine the effectiveness of the author’s approach to the issue of typologization of regions, and emphasize the visibility and interactivity of the tools used within the framework of the model. The use of cluster and comparative analysis using weighted average indexes makes it possible to identify non-obvious patterns between the innovative activity of the region and its level of development, as well as to emphasize intuitively expected connections. All this can form a practical basis for developing effective strategies for regional development and improving the quality of life of the population.Conclusion. The study highlights the importance of analyzing the innovative activity of regions in modern conditions of sanctions wars and restrictions on technological imports. The developed model is a comprehensive tool for analyzing the innovative potential and level of development of regions, which allows identifying key factors of innovation activity and potential growth points, and thereby helping to form the basis for the development of strategies and programs for regional development aimed at improving the standard of living of the population.