This article was offered by Professor Iermakova Olga, Head of the Young Scientists Council of the State Organization “Institute of Market and Economic&Ecological Researches of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine”.

Every year on the third Saturday of May Ukraine celebrates Science Day. Second year, 2023, this day has been held in wartime. The scientific community is defending its frontline - taking on the challenges of wartime and uniting for our Victory.

The intellectual potential of the Young Scientists Council of the State Organization “Institute of Market and Economic&Ecological Researches of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine” is focused on the sustainable development of the economy of the Odessa region and Ukraine as a whole. Their professionalism and innovative thinking are a valuable resource for our region and the state. Councils of young scientists at scientific institutions and public authorities play a unifying and integrating role, contributing to the accumulation of social capital, which is especially necessary in wartime. They form the all-Ukrainian community of young scientists and creative teams, whose cooperation results in real projects aimed at the development of Ukraine. Integration is important not only among scientists, but also among business, government, and communities. Our scientists have experience of cooperation with communities of young businessmen in Odessa, which allowed directing the professional potential of scientists for solving real business problems. Science and business should not exist in parallel dimensions, but should cooperate and thereby mutually reinforce each other.

It is important not only to solve current problems, but also to think about the future, to develop levers that will stimulate economic development.

The military aggression of Russia against Ukraine causes not only genocide of the Ukrainian people, but also ecocide - natural ecosystems suffer irreparable damage. Therefore, the current research is devoted to losses assessment, preserving and restoring environmental-economic systems of seaside regions, innovative models of sustainable management and value creation, their logistical support in the face of military risks. The scientific results are brought to practical implementation by submitting proposals to the authorities and the business sector. In particular, during many years the Institute's researchers have been advising the communities of the Tiligul subregion about sustainable development issues, have been providing recommendations for the efficient usage of the healing resources of the Kuyalnik resort. Innovative economic solutions are also offered for the city of Odesa and enterprises of the Odessa region.

The international community is trying to support Ukraine in every possible way, and our scientists have joined various research teams to conduct joint research and experience exchange. The cooperation of young scientists of the Institute with international organisations, such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, allows us to introduce the achievements of our scientists to the world community, implement joint projects, and adopt the best foreign experience and apply it to the benefit of our region and country.

There are some examples of the work of young scientists of the Institute at the international level during the recent year:

- Award for the best presentation «Factors of ecological interactions of the aquaculture sector and the environment», during 3rd International Conference - Strategies toward Green Deal Implementation: Water, Raw Materials & Energy (ICGreenDeal2022), Poland (Olga Iermakova);

- Project «Strategic guidelines for deepening trade and economic relations of Ukraine with the countries of the Mediterranean region in the aquaculture sector» was included into the Mediterranean Youth Solutions Report 2022 (Hanna Tiutiunnyk, Olga Iermakova, Olha Shershun)

- Scholarship for young non-resident scientists from Ukraine as an associate member of the Youth Academy for Sustainable Development Research at the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Study, University of Freiburg (Germany), project "Post-war successful recovery of Ukraine: within the framework of economic and environmental changes (Overcoming the economic and psychological consequences of war: the economy of experience in local communities)" (Tetyana Nikolaychuk).

- Visiting Fellowship Zukunftskolleg, University of Konstanz (Germany), project "Post-war sustainable development in Ukraine: innovative economic and environmental activities" (Tetyana Nikolaychuk);

- Fellowship Programme for Ukrainian Research Infrastructure Leaders under the H2020 (Olga Iermakova);

- Ukrainian-Poland cooperation: Jagiellonian University, Warsaw School of Economics, Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland with the Council for Dialog with the Young Generation;  

- UNCTAD and Young Scholars Initiative Summer School 2022 “Globalization and Development Strategies” (Olga Iermakova, Hanna Tiutiunnyk, Iryna Tsynalievska).

Wartime provides new challenges for scientists, make them to rethink and develop their ideas. We understand that in front we have the extremely difficult period of Ukraine's reconstruction. However, despite all the difficulties, true enthusiasts of science are ready to apply knowledge and efforts to revive our Motherland!

With this article we are starting a series of articles about the research of young scientists of the State Organization “Institute of Market and Economic&Ecological Researches of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine”.