Welcoming the delegation's representatives, local communities members voiced hope that the Programme's activities would continue progress on key local development issues, including those affecting their well-being and making a real difference in their lives, which they said played a constructive role in promoting sustainable development, particularly, in their Chornobyl-affected region.

During the visit the participants attended a round table meeting with the Head of the Borodyanka district state administration, Mr. Dmytro Petrushenko, and other representatives of local authorities, heads of village councils as well as leaders and members of community organizations. The participants shared their experiences about communities’ mobilization, social and economic recovery of affected territories and communities. Ms. Lyudmyla Halaka, CRDP Specialist in Borodyanka district informed the CIDA delegation about the CRDP activities and achievements in the region – community projects, and the important role of the Borodyanka Agency for Regional Economic Development in combating poverty and helping local entrepreneurs to start-up their own businesses.

The CIDA team also visited one of the CRDP-administered project sites in Borodyanka district – a Youth Centre in the village of Nova Buda. The CIDA representatives met with leaders and members of community organization in Nova Buda, learned about their experiences of project implementation.

The CIDA delegation included: Ms. Doris Wong, Counselor, Head of Technical Cooperation Section, Canadian Embassy in Ukraine; Ms. Chantal Labelle, Country Programme Manager (Ukraine), CIDA; Ms. Vivien Escott, Senior Policy Advisor, CIDA; and Ms. Tamara Romas Figol, Second Secretary, Canadian Embassy in Ukraine. UNDP was represented by Ms. Oksana Remiga, UNDP Senior Programme Manager; Mr. Pavlo Zamostyan, CRDP Project Manager; Mr. Yugesh Pradhanang, CRDP Community Development Specialist; and Mr. Mykola Movchan, CRDP Knowledge Management Specialist.

For further information, please, contact: Mr. Mykola Movchan, CRDP Knowledge Management Specialist, tel.:  (+380 44) 253 07 08; or by E-mail: mykola.movchan@undp.org.ua