EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES IN THE CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY SYSTEM OF UKRAINIAN IT MARKET PARTICIPANTS

Abstract

The IT sector in Ukraine is one of the key drivers of the national economy, contributing significantly to exports, innovation, and human capital development. In the context of war, growing talent shortages, and global competition, corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies of IT companies have increasingly focused on education as a tool for sustainability and social impact. Reskilling programs, dual education, mentoring, and online learning initiatives have become strategic tools for workforce development and business continuity under crisis conditions. This necessitates a systemic analysis of educational initiatives within the CSR framework of the Ukrainian IT industry. Purpose of the article is to analyze educational initiatives of leading Ukrainian IT companies as part of their CSR strategy, assess their impact on the industry, economy, and social development, and offer approaches to the further institutionalization and scaling of such programs. Subject of the research focuses on educational initiatives within CSR strategies of Ukrainian IT companies, particularly their role in preserving human capital, enhancing inclusive access to IT education, and shaping a sustainable labor market. Research methods. The study applies a systems approach, content analysis of sustainability reports, comparative case analysis, labor market data review, and elements of institutional and socio-economic analysis. Research hypothesis. The sustainable development of Ukraine's IT sector largely depends on the scope and effectiveness of educational initiatives integrated into CSR strategies, which help address talent shortages, improve inclusion, and enhance the sector’s reputation as socially responsible. Main findings. The article outlines the evolution of CSR in the IT sector, with a focus on educational practices such as dual education, reskilling platforms, mentoring, children’s IT schools, and programs for vulnerable groups. It explores the cases of EPAM, SoftServe, and Intellias, as well as the efforts of the IT Ukraine Association. Special attention is given to wartime adaptation strategies: ensuring access to education, energy resilience of learning centers, online learning development, and international partnerships. Educational initiatives are shown to positively influence business performance (e.g., reduced hiring costs, faster onboarding, increased client trust) and align with UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. Conclusions and further research prospects. Educational initiatives in the Ukrainian IT sector are not only a CSR tool but also a means to ensure long-term socio-economic resilience. During wartime, they help retain talent, promote inclusion, and drive digital transformation in education. Future research should focus on financing models involving government and international partners, return on investment in education, adaptation to new technologies (AI, Big Data, cybersecurity), and the development of a national IT education strategy.