On December 5, 2023, a Polish-Ukrainian scientific seminar was held, bringing together 36 experts from Poland and Ukraine to discuss key social and economic aspects of crisis management.

The seminar featured presentations by academics and local government representatives on three main topics:

1. Behavioral aspects of crisis management in local communities
2. Crisis management at the local level: practical aspects
3. Building the entrepreneurial potential of local communities in a post-war context

These presentations were accompanied by expert debates and discussions.

During an intensive exchange of experiences, participants focused on significant issues related to the discussed problem. In the context of social behaviors and economic issues, several key issues were identified, including:

• The level of public trust in authorities, both local and central,
• The need for coordination of strictly crisis actions and those related to social responses (individual or group behaviors),
• Creating flexibility and the ability to adapt local communities to changing conditions during emergencies or crises,
• Mandatory updating and communication of guidelines or standards for responding to crisis situations,
• Monitoring the environment to identify threats and prevent problems,
• Periodic analysis of the sensitivity of areas susceptible to disruptions in the context of their resilience to crisis,
• The importance of current information and education, as well as improving legal systems,
• Proactive planning of local community preparations for potential crisis situations.

Particular emphasis was placed on the situation in Ukraine in the context of the war aggression by Russia, where a multifaceted approach to the country's current reconstruction proved crucial.

The conclusions from the seminar indicate the complex nature of crisis management. It was emphasized that flexibility in cooperation between authorities and the community, building trust, and continuous improvement of informational and training processes in dealing with disruptions are key to increasing community resilience to dynamic challenges.

As part of initiatives aimed at counteracting crisis situations in social and economic areas, a project titled "Strengthening the Potential of Local Communities to Counteract Crisis Situations" for the years 2024-2026 was submitted. An international team of scientists will conduct research, trying to address the complex challenges presented during the seminar.

The seminar also marked an important step towards building international cooperation and identifying effective social strategies in crisis management and building communities resilient to the changing conditions and challenges of the modern world.

On behalf of the organizers of the Polish-Ukrainian scientific seminar,
Dr. Oksana Erdeli and Prof. Serhii Voitko