Objective: to develop a new approach to the definition of regional anti-crisis management, taking the institutional factors into account.Methods: abstract-logical method is used. The paper uses the evolutionary approach that made it possible to clarify the current state of the concept under study and offer a vision of its future understanding.Results: currently, the essence of anti-crisis management of a region is virtually not studied in the scientific literature. In the article, the author analyzes scientific approaches to the definition and essence of institutional aspects of crisis management. It is noted that when defining institutional crisis management, researchers adhere to various approaches: the concept is considered as a conflict resolution process, as a system of institutional forms, as an impact on rules, or as a mechanism. The existing approaches to the concept of anti-crisis management of a region or municipality are analyzed. As a result of their critical assessment, it was found that insufficient attention has been paid to the institutional approach in the definition of regional crisis management; a large number of definitions do not consider crisis counteraction; some definitions were considered within the framework of approaches that do not fully disclose the essence of crisis management. The author’s concept of “institutional crisis management of the region” was proposed in the context of current trends and prospects for the transition to institutional crisis management of a region.Scientific novelty: the novelty of the current understanding of institutional crisis management in a region lies in the integration of two approaches: a package of anti-crisis measures and projects and a more precise distinction between explicit and implicit crises. The novelty of the future understanding of this definition (which is necessary to strive for) consists in its consideration from the position of conditional continuity, taking into account informal rules and paying increased attention to countering anti-Russia sanctions at the regional level. The novelty also lies in the use of an evolutionary approach, which demonstrated an improvement in the current understanding of the essence of institutional crisis management of a region.Practical significance: the analysis of the definitions of crisis management, as well as the formed approach to the concept of institutional crisis management can be used for an in-depth study of this aspect. In addition, the considered institutional factors can be implemented into the system of regional crisis management.