Vladyslav Lavreniuk

The russian war in Ukraine replaced not only millions of people but also businesses in the safer regions of Ukraine. The study aims to identify regional stakeholders’ emergency responses in reaction to the russian war in Ukraine associated with business relocations and their impact on the host region. Employing qualitative research methods, including focus group discussions and in-depth semi-structured interviews with 25 informants (representatives of departments of economic development of regional authorities and administrators of regional development agencies), the study was conducted between March and May 2023. The findings reveal a diverse range of relocation strategies, with a significant inclination toward safer western and central regions of Ukraine, which accounted for more than 70% of displaced businesses. The notable share of relocated companies are wholesale and retail trade companies and the processing industry companies – 40% and 32%, respectively. It is assumed that not capital-intensive companies were relocated first. The support from regional stakeholders played a crucial role in mitigating business challenges related to relocation (communication difficulties, market loss, supply chain disruptions, and employee relocation issues, providing comprehensive assistance, and facilitating integration into the new socio-economic environment). The study acknowledges potential biases in responses and emphasizes the importance of correctly interpreting results. The study results are helpful for policy-making regarding regional development and the post-war rebuilding of Ukraine.

Acknowledgment
The study was conducted within the framework of the State Budget of the Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman on the topic “Displaced business in revitalization of regional ecosystems in Ukraine” (state registration number 0123U100357).

Wars not only disrupt economic stability but also displace numerous enterprises, altering the socioeconomic landscape of affected regions. This study aims to analyze the case of relocated businesses in Ukraine, particularly their needs and adaptation in the host regions. An expert survey method was applied for 58 relocated micro-, small, and medium enterprises. The survey and review of secondary sources allowed distinguishing that security is the main driver of relocation (65% of respondents). Although for more than half of the respondents, relocation led to an increase in business activity in the host region, their ability to cover their own needs at the expense of their own funds fell, which led to the demand for external sources of financing. The biggest challenges are the cultural and doing business differences, loss of suppliers, and energy costs. In addition to financing, the TOP-3 needs include access to new markets (60%), the need for new equipment (57%), and special local permits (47%). Host regional authorities, as well as foreign donors, played a crucial role in adaptation to their region. In turn, businesses also note their contribution to the development of the host regions through tax contributions and providing jobs for the population and higher-quality products. Businesses demonstrate their openness to cooperation with foreign donors more than with local sponsors. These results are helpful for policymaking regarding regional development and the post-war rebuilding of Ukraine.

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Assessing the ESG readiness of the Ukrainian banking sector is important in the context of growing global attention to sustainable finance, Ukraine’s aspiration to align with EU regulations, and overcoming war consequences. The study examines the ESG practices of Ukraine’s largest banks and their disclosure, providing a framework for assessing their ESG commitment and maturity. The study aims to identify the level of ESG practices development, including their disclosure, in Ukraine’s largest banks. The paper suggest that this ESG maturity scoring approach may be relevant for emerging sustainability markets. The scoring methodology comprises two sub-indices: the first evaluates ESG information disclosure through content analysis of official websites, while the second uses frequency analysis to evaluate ESG-related terminology in banks’ annual reports. The results show that ESG practices of the largest banks in Ukraine and their integration into corporate reporting are on the preparatory stage, with most banks exhibiting a low or moderate level of ESG maturity. Foreign-owned and state-owned banks demonstrate better results. There is no interconnectedness between banks’ asset size and ESG maturity. The paper highlights the significance of regulatory support in accelerating ESG integration within Ukraine’s banking sector. The proposed framework can serve as a diagnostic tool for regulators, investors, and bank managers to monitor progress, benchmark practices, and guide strategic alignment with EU sustainability requirements. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of how ESG principles can be applied in uncertain financial ecosystems, offering insights for other developing or conflict-affected countries.

Acknowledgments
The article was prepared within the framework of the state-funded research topic Financial’ ecosystem transformation in the post-war recovery of Ukraine on the basis of resilience and sustainable development’ (state registration number 0125U000541) performed at Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman.