37 representatives of local authorities from Poland visited similar settlements that belong to the Chornobyl-affected areas in Ukraine. The visit is organized by UNDP Chornobyl Recovery and Development Programme and Institute of Regional Development in Poland and aims to spur effective socio-economical development of the affected areas. As result of the visit partners plan to establish fruitful cooperation that will allow implementing a number of joint initiatives and projects that would lead to effective socio-economic development.

«There are regions in Ukraine that traditionally cooperate with Poland, but Polissia for most of polish communities remains “Terra Incognita”. It is important to us that fruitful cooperation is established between cities and that exchange visits of mid-level specialists of local authorities will start. The cooperation between people who are specialists of economic, information, public services departments of rayon administrations, city and village councils would lead to the experience and best practice exchange, joint solution of common problems and thus to effective development of communities in both Ukraine and Poland.” – Pavlo Zamostyan, Project Manager of UNDP Chornobyl Recovery and Development Programme said.  

Among the most interesting directions of cooperation polish partners stated high potential of cooperation in energy saving, effective governance and certification for ISO 9000, cultural exchange.

Two-day visit is a first stage of bilateral cooperation and the majority of cities and rayons have already signed Agreements of cooperation. In these Agreements of cooperation, cities and rayons undertake to develop bilateral cooperation in all spheres based of the general understanding and trust. The parties will promote development of all forms of mutually advantageous ties and cooperation kinds between the enterprises and inhabitants of cities of two countries.

As a second stage, in the middle of September partners from the Ukrainian side will visit corresponding powiat and gmina (rayons and cities) of Poland. Training and visits on exchange of experience for mid-level experts in various directions will be the third stage. The special attention will be paid to providing public services (the documentation, registration, informing), methods of investments attraction and the organisation of cultural events. Basic participants will be from economic, information and municipal departments of regional administrations, city and village councils of Polissya region.

Among the most interesting directions of bilateral cooperation the Polish partners have noted high potential of projects aimed to energysaving at social objects and the municipal enterprises, development of effective management methods by local governments and certification of management according to the international standards ІSО 9000, communication adjustment between businessmen and investors, and also, certainly, cultural exchange.

“Our partners told to us that these territories have been affected by the Chornobyl accident, but we did not felt it. We have started our cooperation with Sarnenskyi rayon and we were especially impressed with a high level of culture they have. We do not have that system of rural libraries and local culture clubs”, - Waldemar Gil, Starosta of Stargardzki Powiat has shared impressions. Continuing Mr. Dariusz Bo?ek from the Institute of regional development pointed: “We have been impressed by warmth that Ukrainian side hosted us and we have learnt a lot about the Ukrainian cities and villages. After that visit I was once again convinced that this cooperation in also essential for the Polish party. We have what to learn from Ukraine”.

UN Development Programme supporting the organisation of the visit of local authorities of Poland to Ukraine has once again called its partners on cooperation to support social and economical recovery of Chornobyl-affected regions and communities, providing them with a hope for better future. Economic and cultural cooperation plays an important role in overcoming of Chornobyl memory.

According to the UN Action Plan on Chornobyl to 2016 one of the tasks is return to normal economic activities and infrastructure improvement at the Polissia area that belong to the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th zone of radiation contamination after Chornobyl accident.

In Ukraine, “Chornobyl Recovery and Development Programme” (CRDP) – UNDP implemented project aims to developt affected areas via community development. Since 2002 CRDP works in four most radioactively polluted oblasts (regions) in Ukraine, namely Kyivska, Zhytomyrska, Chernihivska and Rivnenska. Project does not work directly with the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.

As result of Project activities 279 community organisations were formed in 192 villages of Ukraine (involving over 20,000 community members), that resolve important socio-economic problems in the villages such as reconstruction of water pipe-lines and gasification, reconstruction of schools, baths, village health centres, and ambulatories, establishment of youth, public and service centres, etc.

Beside that, Chornobyl Recovery and Development Programme constantly support expansion of institutional opportunities, strengthening the potential of organisations and institutions that promote socio-economic development and ecological recovery of the Chornobyl-affected regions.

In particular, CRDP supported the establishment of eight Regional Economic Development Agencies three in raiyons of Zhytomyr oblast (Brusyliv, Korosten and Ovruch), two in Kyiv oblast (Borodyanka and Ivankiv), two in Rivne oblast (Dubrovytsya and Rokytne), and one in Chernihiv oblast (Ripky raiyon).

Since 2005 CRDP conducts annual Chornobyl Economic Development Forum that serve as a platform for working out a strategy of sustainable development of territories, attracting investment into the region, creation of the conditions for partnerships between businesses and authorities for recovery and development of the affected territories.

Participants of exchange visit from the polish side were representatives of: Drawski, Goleniowski, Bialogardzki, Walecki, Stargardzki, Swidwieski and Koszalin Powiats (Districts), and Heads of Gminas (Mayors): Gryfice, Tuczno, Insko, Miroslawiec, Choszczno, Pyrzyce, Trzebiatow, Goleniow, Nowogard, Zlocieniec.

Partners from Ukrainian side: Borodianka, Ivankiv, Ripky. Brusyliv, Korosten, Ovruch, Rokytne, Dubrovycia, Zarichne, Sarny, Volodymyrec rayons (districs), and semi-rural settlements: Ripky, Zamglay, Tomashgorod, Volodymyrec.

For further information please contact Dzvinka Kachur, UNDP/CRDP: Tel: /044/ 253 07 08; 253 50 68; 253 51 77 Fax: /044/ 253 76 63; e-mail: dzvinka.kachur@undp.org.ua