Balanced development of territories through the integration of digital educational platforms into the regional economy

The relevance of this study is determined by persistent disparities in the socioeconomic development of the Russian regions and the need for finding effective mechanisms for spatial development in the context of digital transformation. The problem of unequal access to high-quality educational resources, which is a key factor in increasing regional asymmetries, is of particular significance. The purpose of this article is to develop and substantiate a conceptual model for integrating digital educational platforms into the regional economy as a tool for ensuring balanced territorial development. To achieve this goal, the combination of scientific methods was used, including system analysis, statistical data processing methods, and a comparative analysis of regional practices on the example of the Oryol and Kursk regions. The main findings include: the development of a multi-level integration model containing infrastructural, substantive, and managerial contours; systematization of the mechanisms by which digital educational platforms in-fluence the reduction of regional disparities; and establishing the methodology for assessing integration effectiveness based on the balanced scorecard. Testing the model demonstrated 18–23% increase in graduate employment, 23% reduction in youth out-flow, and the reduction in inter-municipal income inequality from 2.8 to 2.1 times. The key findings confirm effectiveness of the proposed approach for achieving balanced territorial development through targeted human capital development. The practical significance of this study lies in the potential for regional authorities to use the findings in developing strategies for the digital transformation of education and economic policy.

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