SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IN UKRAINE AS A TOOL FOR ADAPTATION OF PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Abstract

The article studies the evolution and prospects of the current dynamics of the development of social enterprise in Ukraine as an innovative mechanism that significantly modernizes the process of social and labor adaptation of people with intellectual disabilities. Changes in the regulatory and legal field in the period 2019–2025 are analyzed, in particular the impact of the Draft Law of Ukraine No. 14156 and some changes to government resolutions on the employment of people with disabilities. The current state of social enterprise in Ukraine is analyzed, its evolutionary trends are studied, and opportunities for implementing new models that can contribute to improving the living conditions of people with intellectual disabilities are identified. The study focuses on studying successful practices that already exist in Ukraine and abroad, as well as on developing recommendations for the development of social enterprises specializing in the employment of this category of citizens. In accordance with the objectives of the study, the main barriers were identified (high level of stigmatization of people with intellectual disabilities, fictitious employment of people with disabilities, energy instability) and the advantages of (WISEs) – models of labor integration enterprises that contribute to the inclusion of people with disabilities due to intellectual disabilities in the economic life of the country were substantiated. The objectives of the study are to identify and generalize that social enterprise in Ukraine can become an important tool for the implementation of social justice and the development of an inclusive society in which everyone has the opportunity to realize their potential. It has been determined that social enterprise often acts as not only an economic driver, but also a space for the formation of social belonging («belonging») and psychosocial habilitation/rehabilitation, which is critically important considering the future reconstruction of social capital in the post-war years. The prospects for social enterprise in Ukraine, particularly in the context of social and labor adaptation, look promising. Growing support from the state, international organizations, and society as a whole contributes to creating favorable conditions for the development of inclusive business models. This will not only help reduce the social isolation of people with intellectual disabilities, but will also increase their economic independence and quality of life.