Abstract
<jats:p>The rapid transformation of educational paradigms in the twenty-first century demands that science education extend beyond disciplinary knowledge to cultivate transversal competencies essential for sustainable development and professional success. Chemistry education, with its inherent emphasis on laboratory collaboration, analytical reasoning, and ethical responsibility, offers a particularly fertile context for developing these soft skills. However, contemporary educational challenges - including the lingering effects of COVID-19 disruptions and the unique pressures faced by conflict-affected regions such as Ukraine - have exacerbated learning losses and heightened the urgency for systematic approaches to competency development. This paper addresses the critical gap between the recognized importance of soft skills in chemistry education and the lack of comprehensive methodological frameworks for their systematic cultivation in secondary school settings. Drawing upon Education for Sustainable Development principles and twenty-first-century competency frameworks, the study aims to provide chemistry educators with theoretically grounded and practically applicable guidance for integrating soft skills development into their teaching practice. The methodology synthesizes current research literature, including systematic analysis of Scopus-indexed publications, with established pedagogical frameworks and practical teaching materials. The paper examines soft skills across four interconnected domains: cognitive skills (critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving), communicative skills (scientific communication, listening, collaboration), organizational skills (time management, adaptability, leadership), and intrapersonal skills (emotional intelligence, ethical awareness, self-regulation). Key contributions include a classification framework tailored to chemistry education contexts, evidence-based teaching strategies for each skill domain, assessment approaches for monitoring soft skills development, and adaptations for inclusive and crisis-affected learning environments. The paper presents practical lesson plans, case studies, and rubrics designed for immediate classroom implementation. The findings underscore that systematic integration of soft skills in chemistry education not only enhances student preparedness for future academic and professional challenges but also serves as a mechanism for addressing educational losses and fostering psychological resilience. Implications for curriculum development, teacher professional development, and educational policy are discussed, with particular attention to contexts requiring adaptive and inclusive approaches.</jats:p>