Formation of social capital in polyethnic regions: an institutional perspective

The article explores the institutional and socio-cultural mechanisms underlying the formation of social capital in polyethnic regions and substantiates its significance as a strategic resource for sustainable regional development and social integration. The study’s relevance stems from the growing importance of social trust, civic engagement, institutional resilience, and collective action amid globalization, migration, war, and Ukraine’s European integration. The study places particular emphasis on polyethnic regions, where cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity creates both opportunities for cooperation, innovation, and cross-border interaction and challenges related to interethnic trust and social cohesion. The study aims to identify the key institutional and socio-cultural mechanisms that contribute to social capital formation in polyethnic regions and to determine their contribution to sustainable territorial development. The results indicate that social capital formation largely depends on the quality of the institutional environment and on the capacity of public authorities, local self-government bodies, civil society organizations, educational and research institutions, businesses, and local communities to establish sustainable forms of cooperation. The main institutional mechanisms identified include trust-based, accountable governance; inclusive civic participation; intercultural dialogue; human capital development; support for civil society; cross-sectoral partnerships; digital communication; and cross-border cooperation. These mechanisms strengthen social cohesion, reduce social fragmentation, expand horizontal interaction networks, and enhance territorial communities’ resilience. Social capital should be viewed not only as a characteristic of social relations but also as a strategic institutional resource that inclusive governance, participatory mechanisms, and partnership-based approaches can deliberately strengthen. In polyethnic regions, effectively institutionalizing social interaction creates favorable conditions for transforming cultural diversity into a resource for social cohesion, innovation, cross-border cooperation, and sustainable socio-economic development. Keywords: social capital, polyethnic region, institutional mechanisms, social cohesion, interpersonal trust, civic participation, intercultural dialogue, cross-border cooperation, regional development, institutional resilience.