Innovation and investment potential as a factor in ensuring the viability and sustainable development of local communities

<jats:p>This article presents a comprehensive study of the innovation and investment potential of territorial communities as a strategic prerequisite for ensuring their sustainable socio-economic development amid decentralization, economic transformation, and post-war recovery. The research examines the theoretical and practical aspects of strengthening innovation and investment capacity, emphasizing that innovation processes and investment activity are mutually reinforcing factors that determine the competitiveness, resilience, and long-term viability of local communities. The research demonstrates that sustainable community development requires an integrated approach combining institutional reforms, modernization of legal and regulatory frameworks, expansion of financial support mechanisms, improvement of engineering and digital infrastructure, and active implementation of modern information and communication technologies. Considerable emphasis is placed on the formation of effective partnerships among local authorities, business entities, scientific institutions, educational organizations, and civil society based on the principles of the triple-helix model. Such cooperation contributes to knowledge transfer, commercialization of innovations, technological modernization, and the creation of a favorable innovation ecosystem at the local level. The findings confirm that innovation and investment constitute an integrated system in which public support measures, investment incentives, and efficient resource management significantly strengthen the financial independence and economic resilience of territorial communities. For Ukraine, increasing innovation and investment potential is particularly important in overcoming the consequences of military aggression, reducing regional disparities, preventing the outflow of human capital, stimulating entrepreneurial activity, and creating favorable conditions for post-war reconstruction and European integration. The practical significance of the research lies in the potential to apply the proposed recommendations to the development of local and regional strategies, investment programs, and community development policies, thereby transforming investment resources into sustainable economic growth, improving public services, increasing employment opportunities, and enhancing the quality of life for the population. Keywords: innovation and investment potential, territorial community, strengthening mechanisms, investment activity, socio-economic development, community viability, decentralization, post-war recovery.</jats:p>