Ensuring sustainable regional development in the EU countries

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to assess the sustainable development of regions in the countries of the European Union, to study the current disparity of socio-economic development between the regions of the EU and. identification of key mechanisms for implementing the Regional Sustainable Development Policy. The methodological basis of the study is based on a systematic approach– to determine the relationship between the economic, social and environmental components of sustainable development. methods of analysis and synthesis – to generalize scientific approaches to sustainable development of Regions; comparative analysis– to compare the level of development of EU countries and regions; statistical analysis– to assess the dynamics of GDP per capita and indicators of sustainable development; graphical method – to visualize the dynamics of the lnob index and progress in achieving the SDGs. The works of foreign scientists, statistical information of the European Commission, materials of reports on sustainable development of Europe 2025 and 2026 were used. Research results. theoretical approaches to understanding sustainable regional development are analyzed; the main tools for implementing the policy of sustainable regional development in the EU countries are characterized; the role of the policy of cohesion and structural funds of the EU in reducing regional imbalances is determined; the dynamics of gross domestic product per capita in the EU countries is estimated; the index "Leave no one Behind" and the level of achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in European regions are analyzed; the main problems and prospects for ensuring sustainable development of EU regions are identified. Conclusions: it is established that the sustainable development of EU regions requires an integrated approach that involves a combination of economic growth, social justice and environmental safety. EU cohesion policies, structural funds, smart specialization strategies and regional partnerships play a key role in ensuring sustainable development. The study showed significant regional imbalances between the countries of Western, Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. The necessity of strengthening coordination between environmental, economic and social policies in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure balanced development of European regions is justified.