8-12 June 2010 the training seminar on local development for rural areas involved 16 representatives of local self-governing, district administrations and agencies of regional development from Chornobyl-affected settlements in Volyn, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Rivne and Chernigiv regions. The goal of the seminar was to support socio-economic development of Chornobyl-affected areas.

Seminar was organized by the UNDP Chornobyl Recovery and Development Programme as a preparation for the Chornobyl Economic Development Forum. During the seminar participants have visited and learned best practices of green tourism, enterprises on local products processing, fisheries, credit union for farmers and many other institutions, in total over 20 organisations.

For example, Kherson Credit Union targets not only to maximize its profit but also to improve employment opportunities and development of Kherson region in general.

“Our Credit Union managed to leave through two economic crises in 1998 and 2009. One of the reasons of that is the high level of trust. We not only provide credits, we also established consultancy for farmers which advise on how effective agriculture; NGO that targets youth capacity and leadership development in settlements of credit union’s clients; and programme on local attractions of Kherson oblast for our clients and all interested.” – tells Ms. Galyna Polosova, Director of Credit Union “Gromada”.

As result of the seminar participants have defined a couple of necessary points for effective regional development:

-         Approve Strategic development plan with the involvement of general public;

-         Develop partnership with other regions in Ukraine and abroad;

-         Transparent cooperation with business targeting development of local infrastructure, and attract investments in the region (creation of sport centres, establishment of transparent system for issuing license and permissions);

-         Establishment of NGO that targets local development and allows to implement social projects, support local entrepreneurs who want to start business, conducts social surveys on public opinion regarding different issues and can criticize authority in a constructive way;

-         Establish good connections with population of the region/settlement:

o        Organise special events for Graduates, soldiers, and other social groups;

o        Cooperate with media;

o        Constant survey of public opinions regarding implemented initiatives and possible improvements;

-         Cooperation with International Donors and Development Agencies (UNDP, World Bank, DesPro, USAID etc);

-         Support tourism development in the region:

o        Initiate Festivals/Competition devoted to locally special products (Deruny Festival in Korosten or WaterMelon Festival in Gola Prystan);

o        Instalation of monuments to local heroes (e.g. Kniaz Mal and Kniagynia Olga in Korosten)

After the seminar participants will discuss opportunity to apply ideas that they have seen during the trip in their regions and will propose topics for discussion at Chornobyl Economic Development Forum. One of the most important topics that will be discussed during the forum is weather there are specific factors limiting economic development at the territory of Ukrainian Polissia and whether they are results of Chornobyl accident.

For more information, please contact Dzvinka Kachur, tel.: / 044 / 280 32 84, 280 62 88, Email: dzvinka.kachur@undp.org.ua