Annotation: In the context of growing social inequality and regional development disparities in Kazakhstan, particularly in industrialized regions, the level of involvement of socially vulnerable groups in the economy remains low. The lack of a systematic approach to inclusion limits the potential of human capital as a resource for sustainable growth. Despite the presence of targeted support programs, including employment promotion, microfinance, and inclusive education initiatives, their implementation is generally fragmented and not integrated into socio-economic development strategies. This reduces the effectiveness of such measures and hinders the formation of sustainable inclusion institutions. In addition, institutional, infrastructural, and digital barriers persist, limiting the full participation of vulnerable groups — including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and rural residents — in economic processes. These barriers reinforce structural inequalities and contribute to the reproduction of social exclusion. Under such conditions, inclusion should be reconsidered not as a form of social assistance but as an investment strategy aimed at expanding labor and entrepreneurial potential, strengthening domestic demand, and ensuring balanced regional economic development. The main goal of the study is to determine the potential of economic inclusion as a strategy for sustainable socio-economic development of the region. The research applies quantitative and qualitative methods, including analysis of official documents and SWOT analysis of inclusion conditions. Institutional, infrastructural, regulatory, and social barriers to the participation of vulnerable groups in the regional economy are examined. The study finds that despite the existence of basic infrastructure and support programs, the main constraints to economic inclusion are fragmented policies, weak interdepartmental coordination, digital and educational inequality. The inclusion of economically inactive populations through inclusive entrepreneurship, digital employment, and human capital development can become a significant driver of regional growth. A transition from compensatory support to strategic integration of inclusion into regional planning is proposed

Annotation: Despite the high share of rural population and the social importance of the agro-industrial complex, the contribution of rural areas to economic growth remains limited. The main challenges are low labor productivity, insufficient processing capacity, and youth migration to cities. To analyze the role of rural areas in ensuring sustainable economic development of Kazakhstan, to determine their impact on employment, GDP structure, food security, and energy transition. Official macroeconomic statistics (World Bank, Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan) were used, along with comparative analysis of employment and GDP dynamics, and a review of publications on green economy and agro-innovations. The analysis shows that the share of agriculture in Kazakhstan's GDP has declined (from 4.7 % in 2015 to 3.9 % in 2024), while about 42 % of the population still lives in rural areas, and employment in agriculture remains above 12 %. This confirms that rural areas are important drivers of sustainability by ensuring employment, food security, and prospects for green energy. Their development is strategically significant for economic diversification and reducing social inequality

Annotation: This article addresses the issue of qualitative mismatch between the professional education system and the needs of the industrial sector in the context of economic digitalization. The focus of the study is Pavlodar Region, one of the key industrial regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Based on the analysis of digital, professional, adaptive, and behavioral competencies of graduates from vocational and higher educational institutions, the existence of a stable competence gap was identified, manifested in the discrepancy between graduate training and employer expectations. The study employed expert surveys, vacancy analysis, and content analysis of educational programs, as well as comparative assessment of the level of competence formation from the perspective of industrial employers. The findings reveal the most significant gaps in digital and practice-oriented skills, as well as in behavioral attributes essential for effective workplace adaptation. The article presents quantitative assessments of these discrepancies and proposes a structural-functional model for bridging the competence gap. Practical recommendations are formulated to enhance the alignment between the labor market and the education system, including the development of dual education, employer participation in curriculum design, and the creation of industrial training sites

Annotation: The article presents a new approach to the formation of market prices for small businesses and entrepreneurship. The primary sources of the cost theory of price and the labor theory of value are studied. The transformation of the labor theory of value made it possible to determine the optimal price. To propose a pricing mechanism during financial stability and market uncertainty. The study allows assessing the application of pricing policy and strategy, as well as pricing methods. The allocation of socially significant costs into a separate category makes it possible to ensure state control over the formation of regulated state prices and norms. The business community is interested in applying regulated prices both by the state and in practice during periods of uncertainty. The presented formulas and calculations reveal the specifics of price formation under market conditions. By using indicators of inflation and the Central Bank of Russia’s key rate, uncertainty risks are mitigated. The study used general scientific methods, structural and logical analysis. The theoretical and methodological basis of the research consists of works of modern scholars and current legal and regulatory documents. The research results are intended for individual entrepreneurs and organizations in managing price formation under market relations and uncertainty.

Annotation: In today's context of accelerated digitalization and global competition, intellectual property is a key factor in ensuring sustainable economic growth for companies. This article assesses the impact of intellectual property ownership on the economic performance of European companies. Main Problem: the impact of intellectual property use on the economic performance of European companies in the context of global competition and accelerated digitalization. Attention is paid to both large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises, which form the backbone of the European economy. Objective: To identify the degree to which companies' financial and operational performance depends on their registered intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, and industrial designs. Methods: Based on an analysis of statistical data from the European Patent Office and the European Union Intellectual Property Office. The sample included over 119,000 companies from 27 EU countries. Methods of comparative analysis, correlation analysis, and assessment of differences between groups of companies with different levels of engagement in the intellectual property protection system were used. Results and Their Significance: Show that companies with intellectual property rights demonstrate higher levels of economic performance. Revenue per employee in such organizations exceeds that of firms without intellectual property by 41 percent. For small and medium-sized enterprises, this increase reaches 44 percent, and for large companies, 16 percent. Companies with a comprehensive intellectual property portfolio also demonstrate higher employment, productivity, and competitiveness. The study's findings confirm the strategic importance of intellectual property for shaping Europe's innovative economy. Particular attention is paid to the need to actively engage small and medium-sized enterprises in the use of intellectual property protection systems, as well as to improving state and institutional support mechanisms in this area.

Annotation: The purpose of this article is to describe the origins of Possibilist Economics through a brief biographical account of the development of the ideas of Albert Otto Hirschman, the economist who was the founding father of this new branch of economics. The reader is also offered a description of the historical context in which Hirschman worked and developed his ideas. Objective: Describe how Possibilist Economics came about and what the method of Possibilist Economics is. Methods: The main method used for the development of this research is both deductive and inductive, i.e. a use of both classical research tools. The line followed is that of analysis made through the biographical path and historical context in which the economist of Possibilism. The research is based both on the analyses and study of the numerous books and articles written by A.O. Hirschman and on the direct experience of research and work that the authors of this article have carried out with Hirschman himself and with Luca Meldolesi (Italian economist and historian), the latter considered to be Hirschman's greatest collaborator and divulger in the world. Results and their significance: The research is an introduction to the fundamentals of the possibilist economics model