This work is dedicated to the exploration of regional initiatives for state support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Russian Federation. SMEs play a crucial role in the country’s economic development, and the government actively promotes their growth through various programs and initiatives. Despite the existence of a complex set of financial, informational, and legal instruments at the national level, regions devise specific actions tailored to the unique needs of the labor market, resource base, and other factors. The objective of this work is to identify the characteristics of regional initia- tives for state support of SMEs, taking into account both internal and external factors influencing their success. To achieve this goal, a combination of general scientific and specific methods is employed, including content analysis and comparative analysis.

The research findings indicate that regional initiatives for state support can significantly contribute to the development of SMEs. However, the success of such initiatives depends on multiple factors, including effective management, accessibility of financial resources, and the level of entrepreneur involvement.

Scope of application of the research results: activities of regional authori- ties, entrepreneurs, researchers in the field of entrepreneurship theory and practice, addressing issues related to the support of small and medium-sized businesses.

The conclusions of this research underscore the importance of collabora- tion between government entities and entrepreneurs in creating effective mecha- nisms to support SMEs, reinforcing the position of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Russian Federation’s economy, and fostering its sustainable socio-economic developm