THEORETICAL AND ANALYTICAL ASPECTS OF DETERMINING UKRAINE'S SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE LOSSES AND INVESTMENT NEEDS FOR ITS RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive theoretical and analytical study of approaches to assessing losses in Ukraine’s social infrastructure and determining investment needs for its reconstruction in the full-scale  war and post-war transformation context. The paper systematizes scientific approaches to interpreting  social infrastructure as an object of investment and substantiates its role as a strategic resource for human capital reproduction, social cohesion, and long-term socio-economic resilience. Particular attention  is paid to the methodological foundations of evaluating direct physical damage, indirect economic losses, and recovery needs within the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) framework, based on the damage-losses-needs logic. Using the results of successive RDNA rounds, the study identifies significant intersectoral disparities between the scale of destruction and the volume of required investments across key social sectors, including housing, education, healthcare, social protection, culture, and tourism. It is shown that the growth rate of investment needs substantially exceeds the dynamics of physical damage, which is explained by the predominance of indirect losses, demographic shifts, disruption of service provision, and institutional transformations caused by the war. The article substantiates the necessity of applying the «Build Back Better» principle, which implies not only restoring pre-war capacities but also modernizing social infrastructure, increasing its resilience, energy efficiency, and compliance with European standards. Emphasis is placed on the importance of integrating loss assessment results with investment mechanisms, digital project management tools, and transparent information systems to ensure evidence-based prioritization of reconstruction projects and effective allocation of limited financial resources. In addition, the study highlights the critical role of high-quality data, standardized indicators, and digital platforms in strengthening transparency, accountability, and donor confidence throughout the reconstruction process. The results can be used by stakeholders to improve the prioritization and sequencing of social infrastructure investments under conditions of fiscal constraints and heightened uncertainty.