CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL REGULATION OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: FOREIGN EXPERIENCE AND DOCTRINAL APPROACHES IN EU MEMBER STATES

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the constitutional and legal regulation of regional development in the Member States of the European Union, taking into account the contemporary challenges facing Ukraine in the context of its European integration progress and post-war recovery. The relevance of the study is conditioned by Ukraine’s strategic priority of obtaining EU membership and the need to harmonize national legislation with European standards, in particular the acquis communautaire in the field of regional policy. The paper examines the key models of constitutional and legal regulation functioning in EU Member States – centralized, decentralized, and mixed – which determine the specifics of the distribution of powers between central authorities and regions, the degree of territorial autonomy, and the institutional mechanisms for shaping and implementing regional policy. Special attention is devoted to doctrinal approaches and practical instruments shaped under the influence of the EU cohesion policy aimed at reducing development disparities, supporting disadvantaged territories, and expanding opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth.The conducted review makes it possible to identify elements of foreign models that are relevant for Ukraine, including multilevel governance, development of endogenous regional potential, strategic planning, public– private partnerships, and institutional support through regional development agencies. It is demonstrated that successful adaptation of these instruments is feasible only with consideration of Ukraine’s specific circumstances: uneven socio-economic development, environmental threats, the need for post-conflict reconstruction, and adherence to the principles of subsidiarity.The article provides a theoretical foundation for modernizing the national model of regional development, emphasizing the importance of constitutional and legal support for decentralization processes, strengthening local self-government, and enhancing territorial competitiveness. The findings may serve as a basis for developing practical recommendations aimed at shaping an effective, resilient, and EU-aligned regional policy for Ukraine.