ERA supports presentation of Mariupol 2030 strategy

Infrastructure Investment
23 December 2021

USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) assisted in presenting Mariupol 2030 Strategy to citizens of Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast. The document, developed with the help of the best Ukrainian and foreign experts over 18 months, is purposed to create new opportunities.

USAID Democratic Governance East (DG East) and USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) have supported development of the strategy for two years. Ten working groups developed a plan of changes in the city in the following areas: Clean Environment, Culture and Sport, Economic Transformation, Education and Science, Technologies, Design of the City, Youth Creativity, Functionality, Healthcare and Image of the City.

“The Strategy of Mariupol city until 2030 is a detailed plan to develop the city for the next nine years. The previous strategy until 2021 aimed to ensure sustainability of the city, while the future strategy until 2030 aims to transform the city. From an economic point of view, this means diversification of the economy and development of new high-tech industries. In terms of perception of the city, we will transform the city from industrial to post-industrial. In our view, Mariupol 2030 is a city of youth; it is a city leader; a city where you can both work and relax and have fun; a city that will really be considered a center of culture, sports and tourism at the regional and national levels,” said Deputy Mayor Serhii Orlov.

 

“Mariupol 2030 Strategy is a vision of our future. It should be applied as a basis of future development. It is based on three main components: activators of economic development, municipal services, and comfort and quality of life. It is a great challenge for all of us to accomplish these tasks. However, I believe that we can build a city by the sea with an ocean of opportunities,” said Mayor Vadym Boichenko.

Are there national (state) programs for supporting small business?

Infrastructure Investment
30 March 2021

Yes. You can find  information on the state support programs offered by any particular bank on the bank’s official websites. For example, 5–7–9% preferential credit loan program is currently in place, and state banks function as operators of the state agricultural sector support programs.

Do banks offer easy credit (preferential) terms?

Infrastructure Investment
30 March 2021

Yes, the banks usually have their own programs of partnership with manufacturers and suppliers of equipment and materials. Due to joint programs, the Bank is able to substantially reduce loan interest rates. The list of such programs is always available on the banks’ official websites.

What are the sources of financing for small businesses?

Infrastructure Investment
30 March 2021

Small businesses may make use of the bank loans or leasing. The loans are going to be expedient if it comes to financing the “turnover”, which is financing current assets of the company. If purchase of fixed assets is the goal of raising finance, the company may solicit assistance of the lease finance provider. Usually, lease finance providers are happy to finance agricultural and special equipment and vehicles.

Infrustructure Investment

USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) helps communities, businesses and government agencies identify paths to a sustainable and successful future of the eastern regions as part of the country’s economy.

USAID ERA cooperates with:

  • communities and regions to enhance their capacity and opportunities for  development and economic transformation.
  • interested partners to ensure confidence in the future of the economy of Eastern Ukraine.

A Model Cities Study commissioned by  ERA provides bright examples of the successful transformation of post-industrial cities in the USA, Canada and Europe. Based on the study’s findings and recommendations, the ERA Transformation Team are focusing on four areas to transform communities and regions in eastern Ukraine:

  • Driving vision and identifying long-term development prospects
  • Supporting educational institutions, promoting innovations as a basis for increasing business efficiency
  • Attracting infrastructure investments for the implementation of strategic plans and economic transformation
  • Increasing the attractiveness (beautification) of cities based on effective spatial planning.
Our partners:
  • Kramatorsk, Bakhmut, Pokrovsk, Dobropillia, Mariupol (Donetsk Oblast)
  • Bilovodsk and Novopskov consolidated communities, Starobilsk (Luhansk Oblast)
  • Berdiansk, Melitopol (Zaporizhzhia Oblast)
  • Henichesk (Kherson Oblast)
  • Platform for Sustainable Development of Seven Coal cities in Donetsk Oblast:
    • Dobropillia, Myrnohrad, Novohrodivka, Pokrovsk, Selydove, Toretsk, Vuhledar
Our priorities:
  • Strategic city development
  • Formation of a new vision and image of the region
  • Promoting the transformation of coal cities
  • Strategy of SMART-specialization of Donetsk and Luhansk regions
  • Transformation Strategy for sustainable development of seven coal cities in Donetsk Oblast
  • Enhancing community capacity for partnership, business development and resource mobilization (Public-Private Partnership, Corporate Social Responsibility)
  • Implementation of infrastructure projects
  • Development of the the Sea of Azov region tourist brand (link to the tourism page)
  • Engagement of the community, youth and students in the transformation process
  • Implementation of the model of successful cities of the USA, Canada and Europe in the region.
Activities and Results:

Driving vision

  • Economic development strategies:
    • Luhansk Oblast
    • Starobilsk
    • Bahmut
    • Dobropillia
    • Pokrovsk
    • Mariupol 2030 (in the process of development)
  • Transformation Strategy for Sustainable Development of Seven Coal Cities in Donetsk Oblast (in the process of development)

Forums and conferences

2019

  • I Conference for Partner Cities and Consolidated Communities, Kramatorsk
  • Youth Forum “Every Tomorrow Starts Today”, Mariupol
  • First Forum of Luhansk Regional Coalition “From a Common Vision to Economic Growth”, Sievierodonetsk

2020

  • Mariupol Coalition Forum 2020, Mariupol
  • ІІ Conference for Partner Cities and United Communities, Kramatorsk
  • Local Development Forum “Mariupol 2030: Strategy of Opportunities” (in cooperation with USAID DG East)

Trainings and workshops

2019—2020

  • Trainings on strategic development;
  • “Economic Diversification, Potential, Strategies and Instruments for Coal Cities in Donetsk Oblast”
  • Training series “Project Management: Grant projects preparation”;
  • Online training “How to prepare a successful application to the State Regional Development Fund”
  • Webinar “Public-Private Partnership and Corporate Social Responsibility – Opportunities for Cooperation with the Private Sector for Community Development”
  • A series of training activities to increase the capacity of Mariupol Center for Support and Development of Small and Medium Business.