The role of small business in ensuring food security and economic resilience in Ukraine within the context of sustainable development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31558/2307-2318.2026.2.11Keywords:
governance, sustainable development, economic resilience, small businesses, adaptation, the agricultural sector, national security, food security, agricultural potentialAbstract
The paper investigates the role of small business entities in ensuring food security and economic resilience in Ukraine within the context of sustainable development. It is determined that small and medium-sized enterprises play a strategically important role in maintaining the stability of local food systems, employment, and regional economic development under conditions of geopolitical instability and wartime challenges. The study analyzes the dynamics of the number of enterprises, employment indicators, and the value of goods and services sold in Ukraine during 2019–2024. The results demonstrate that small enterprises dominate the structure of the Ukrainian economy and remain the primary drivers of entrepreneurial activity. Despite the negative consequences of the full-scale war in 2022, including reductions in employment and business activity, SMEs showed high adaptive capacity and recovery potential in 2023–2024. The research proves that small businesses contribute significantly to decentralized food supply chains, economic diversification, local market stability, and sustainable rural development. It is substantiated that SMEs perform not only economic but also social and stabilizing functions, strengthening community resilience and supporting post-war recovery processes. The study emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive institutional support, including financial assistance, infrastructure modernization, and innovation incentives, as a prerequisite for strengthening food security and achieving sustainable economic development in Ukraine.
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