Public-private partnership as a tool for human capital development at the regional level

The article comprehensively explores the theoretical, methodological, and applied foundations of using public-private partnerships as an instrument for developing human capital at the regional level. It substantiates the relevance of implementing partnership models of cooperation between the state and the private sector, particularly in ensuring the socio-economic stability of territories in post-war Ukraine. The study characterizes the essence of public-private partnership as a form of interaction based on the distribution of risks, resources, and responsibilities to implement socially significant projects. Key models and forms of public-private collaboration used in global and national practice are analyzed, and the institutional and legal prerequisites for its functioning in Ukraine are defined. It is established that public-private partnership mechanisms create opportunities for implementing innovative educational, healthcare, and professionally oriented projects focused on improving the quality of human capital. The article highlights the role of human capital as a crucial factor in regional development, presenting an analysis of Human Development Index dynamics in Ukraine from 1990 to 2022. The full-scale war significantly worsened human development indicators due to population loss, forced displacement, destruction of educational and healthcare infrastructure, reduced life expectancy, and declining education levels. These consequences emphasize the need to expand human development policy instruments by emphasizing practical intersectoral cooperation. The study systematizes the key barriers to implementing public-private partnerships in Ukrainian regions, including managerial, regulatory, and financial obstacles. The challenges comprise the lack of an effective state coordinator, insufficiently qualified personnel in local authorities, regulatory instability, and limited access to financing. Proposed solutions include simplifying the legal framework, providing state guarantees, enhancing procedure transparency, developing institutional capacity, and supporting private investors. Special attention is given to analyzing tools and practices that stimulate business partici-pation in human capital development, such as improving contractual arrangements, introducing financial incentives, utilizing international technical assis-tance and grant programs, and ensuring a stable and predictable investment environment. The study concludes that the effective implementation of public-private partnerships requires an integrated approach and coordination among government, businesses, and local communities to achieve long-term sustainable development goals. Keywords: public-private partnership, human capital, regional development, social infrastructure, institutional capacity.