Korosten, 4 September 2009 – 23 representatives of local governance from Sweden and Spain visited Korosten to learn its experience in remediation of consequences of Chornobyl accident. The visit was organized in the framework of cooperation of European Group of Local Authorities with Nuclear Facilities in Europe (GMF), European Centre of Technological Safety and UNDP Chornobyl Recovery and Development Programme. During the visit, representatives of GMF officially invited Ukraine – Ukrainian municipalities - to become a full member of European association.

Nuclear safety cannot be confined to a single country’s political and administrative boundaries. In this respect, it is important that authorities having already experienced accidents or which are under their threat, strengthen the safety of the population by exchanging their experiences. Not only the central government, but also local and regional authorities and mass media should actively participate in preparation of emergency management action plans.

Shortly after the Chornobyl accident a number of national networks of municipalities situated in the vicinity to nuclear objects have been established in Europe. For example, national networks were established in Spain (AMAC), Sweden (KSO) and  the United-Kingdom (NuLeaf). In 2001 national networks have united into European Group of Local Authorities with Nuclear Facilities in Europe. Today, during the conversations with representatives of Korosten local council, representatives of GMF have officially invited Ukraine – Ukrainian municipalities to become a full members of European association.

“Local authorities were not involved in remediation of consequences and decision making process on rehabilitation of the territory after the Chornobyl accident, which has decreased the effectiveness of such measures. But with the time flow the situation has changes, and today the success of Korosten city development is ensured by activities of local authorities. Today, the experience of Korosten city is useful for European partners. This is because Korosten being the largest city officially recognized as affected has achieved significant results in overcoming psychosocial tention among population and socio-economic recovery of the city through professional actions of local council leaded by Volodymyr Moskalenko.  As for today the city has transformed from being a victim to being an example of successful and sustainable local development” – commented Pavlo Zamostian, Project Manager of UNDP Chonrobyl Recovery and Development Programme.

The delegation had a meeting with the city Mayor Volodymyr Moskalenko as well as with other representatives of local council. City Mayor has explained that Korosten belong to the 3^rd zone of radioactive contamination – Zone of voluntary resettlement – such a status allows inhabitants to move to another “clean” area. With the continuous support of local government continues the process of industrial development, technopark establishment, renessance of cultural places, established local park. The city is one of few at the territory of Ukraine has been certified by ISO 9000; beside that the “one-stop-shop” system for services of local council has been developed which improves cooperation between local council, entrepreneurs and citizens. Employment, high levels of salary, pleasant atmosphere in the city all these components result in increase of population of Korosten which is today 70 thousands of people while after the accident it srinked to 62 thousands. Today Korosten is desirable city for living, successful industrial centre and attractive place for tourists.

Delegation has also attended the Korosten Centre of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, where they have got ackwainted with methods of information provision on Chornobyl accident and work with different age-groups, like individual consultation of children and adult on social and psychological problems, psychodiagnostics, group work for correction, trainings, lectures etc.

“We liked Korosten a lot, it is such a beautiful city! Also the experience on information provision and psychosocial rehabilitation was very useful for us. We, in Sweden have no similar institutions which could that effectively tackle these problems. But we have also noticed opportunities for joint social-economic projects and we hope that Korosten would agree to start twinning with us.” – shared its impression Pia Almstr?m, President of KSO from K?vlinge in Sweden.

Mayors of cities and representatives of local authorities in Sweden and Spain have stayed in Ukraine during three days 2-4 September. Beside the visit to Korosten delegation has conducted a Work meeting in Kyiv and also visited Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. 

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

Additional information:

UNDP Chornobyl Recovery and Development Programme works in four most radioactively polluted oblasts (regions) in Ukraine, namely Kyivska, Zhytomyrska, Chernihivska and Rivnenska, which include 17 raiyons (districts): Borodyansky, Ivankivsky, Kyivo-Svyatoshynsky, Makarivsky, Polissky (Kyiv oblast), Brusylivsky, Korostensky, Ovrutsky, Luhynsky, Narodytsky, Olevsky, Emilchynsky (Zhytomyr oblast), Chernihivsky, Ripkynsky (Chernihiv oblast), Dubrovytsky, Zarichnensky and Rokytnivsky (Rivne oblast).

CRDP supported establishment of 279 community organisations (COs) that are working in 192 villages of Ukraine with over 20,000 community members. In 2003-2008, community organisations implemented more than 190 recovery and development projects totalling over 3,6 mln USD of which, 1,3 mln UAH were contributed by CRDP. On average, for the implementation of one project, a community organisation contributes 20% of the total amount, local village and rayon authorities – 40%, CRDP – 31%, other sponsors – 9%. Establishment of community organisations in rural areas  allowed to spread the information about safety living at the Chornobyl-affected

In 2008 the International Workshop took place in Ukraine. At the Workshop it was decided to establish All-European network for municipalities of cities placed next to the nuclear power stations, development of contacts between NPP managers and local authorities, mayors of cities and rayons in Europe.