Vitalii Dankevych
Fellow 2025/2026
Economics/Marketing/Management
Polissia National University
Open Society University Network/CEU Institute of Advanced Study, Budapest-Ukraine
dankevych2017@gmail.com
Bio
Dr. Vitalii Dankevych is the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Public Administration and National Security at Polissia National University (Ukraine) and Professor at the Department of International Economic Relations and European Integration. He holds a Doctor of Economic Sciences degree in Economics and Management of the National Economy, awarded in 2018 by Zhytomyr National Agroecological University.
He has served as a consultant for World Bank projects on evidence-based agricultural and land policy and transparent land governance in Ukraine, and is a member of the Global Learning in Agriculture (GLAG) community in the United States. In 2019, Dr. Dankevych completed professional training at the Social Entrepreneur School IBS of the Fil. Dr. Jan-U. Sandal Institute in Norway.
Since 2023, he has been serving as a Senior Associate (Non-Resident) at the Global Food and Water Security Program of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS, USA). In 2024, he participated in and co-organized the Ukraine Climate Adaptation Scenario Planning workshop in Washington, D.C., which addressed strategic adaptation of Ukraine’s agricultural sector to climate change and its alignment with EU policies. From 2025 he serves as an APEX Scientific Fellow at the Fil. Dr. Jan-U. Sandal Institute, pursuing the research theme “Resilience of Ukrainian Communities in the Context of European Integration: Challenges, Strategies, and Innovations (ResCom-EU).”
Dr. Dankevych is a laureate of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Award for Outstanding Achievements of Youth in the Development of the State. His research and advisory work have significantly contributed to regional development strategies, agricultural land reform, and the design of evidence-based public policies.
A recognized expert in economic strategies for integrating sustainable practices in the reconstruction of Ukraine’s rural and agricultural economy post-war, Dr. Dankevych focuses on global food security, EU agri-food integration, and rural development. His publications and international collaborations emphasize institutional transformation, climate adaptation, and innovative pathways for rebuilding Ukraine’s economy in line with European standards and sustainable development goals.
Economic Strategies for Integrating Sustainable Practices in the Reconstruction of Ukraine's Rural and Agricultural Economy Post-War
Ukraine’s agricultural sector is one of the cornerstones of its national economy, employing nearly 17% of the workforce, generating over half of foreign exchange revenues, and contributing about 20% of GDP. Beyond its domestic role, Ukraine is a global food security actor, supplying agricultural products that feed more than 400 million people worldwide. Russia’s full-scale invasion has inflicted catastrophic damage, with direct losses of $6.6 billion and indirect damages estimated at $34.5 billion, leaving urgent challenges for rural recovery and sustainable redevelopment.
This project focuses on designing economic strategies that integrate sustainable practices into Ukraine’s agricultural and rural reconstruction, ensuring resilience at the local level and alignment with European integration pathways. The research pursues three main objectives: (1) to identify key wartime challenges facing farming enterprises and rural communities; (2) to assess the war’s social, economic, and environmental impacts on local agricultural systems; and (3) to develop targeted recommendations for sustainable recovery strategies emphasizing climate adaptation, efficient land use, logistics renewal, and European market integration.
Methodologically, the project combines qualitative and quantitative approaches. Fieldwork will include surveys and interviews with farmers, community leaders, and agribusiness stakeholders in war-affected regions, while statistical analysis will be used to identify systemic patterns and resilience factors.
The expected outcomes include practical recovery strategies for local and national authorities, as well as policy insights for the international community. The project’s significance lies in supporting Ukraine’s transition toward sustainable agriculture, reinforcing its role in global food security, and contributing to long-term EU-oriented rural development.
By integrating sustainability principles into post-war reconstruction, the project will not only respond to immediate recovery needs but also build a foundation for innovation-driven growth in Ukraine’s agri-food sector. Its results will strengthen rural communities, reduce external dependencies, and contribute to the European and global dialogue on resilience, sustainability, and food security in times of crisis.