Social Cohesion Policy: Conceptions and Their Adaptation in Modern Context

The article examines the evolution of the definition of the category of «social cohesion», as well as modern approaches to managing and monitoring social cohesion in the context of the network economy with the aim of preventing the risks of de-solidarization. The aim of the research is to conduct a systematic analysis of the conceptual foundations of cohesion policy in the European Union and Ukraine, and to determine the directions for their further adaptation to the challenges and opportunities of the modern network economy. The influence of inclusive political and economic institutions, various types of social capital (bonding, bridging, linking), and social networks on the formation of unity within and between communities has been analyzed. This underscores the relevance of social cohesion issues as a characteristic of networks – a fundamental resource, a source of economic opportunities, and an important condition for the sustainability of economic development. Three levels of cohesion management have been identified: strategic, institutional-financial, and operational. The multi-level model ensures the achievement of integrated goals – growth, access to social rights, support for vulnerable groups, and adherence to basic standards. Cohesion policy is a tool for achieving socioeconomic convergence by overcoming territorial disparities through investment in infrastructure, support for employment, and expansion of access to services. In the context of a network economy, it is necessary to adapt social cohesion policy to prevent risks of social fragmentation that threaten internal stability and resilience of development and can lead to the disintegration of the socioeconomic system. At the same time, building trust, engaging human capital, and reducing transaction costs depend on cohesion and impact economic dynamics. A critical review of current monitoring systems for cohesion policy in the EU and Ukraine revealed a concentration on quantitative and infrastructural indicators that reflect the implementation of projects and the volume of services provided, but do not encompass the qualitative aspects of social interaction, trust, and integration. To enhance analytical capabilities, it is recommended to supplement the monitoring system with indicators of digital inclusion, horizontal social connections, institutional and interpersonal trust, citizen participation in decision-making, and the integration of vulnerable groups into social interaction networks. The expanded system will enable a transition from technocratic accounting to a comprehensive analysis of social cohesion as a prerequisite for sustainable regional development. A promising direction for further research is assessing the relationship between the level of social cohesion and the rates of economic growth in order to improve the efficiency of the socioeconomic policy as a whole.