On April 27-28, USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) held two training sessions on the theme “Local Economic Development in the Context of Recovery” for representatives of territorial communities in Kyiv Oblast at the request and with the support of Kyiv Oblast Military Administration. The sessions had a total of 29 participants who included representatives of Kyiv Oblast territorial communities, the Department of Economic Development of Kyiv Oblast Military Administration, and NGOs involved in local economic development.
The event was officially opened by Vitalii Bezghin, a Member of Parliament and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Administrative and Territorial Structure of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Organization of State Authorities, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning, who spoke about the prospects and aspects of Ukraine’s recovery.
At the training sessions, ERA consultant Oleh Levchenko presented the basic approaches to restoration and the development of recovery plans. The participants learnt about a number of local economic development tools such as clusters, cooperatives, and credit unions, and also discussed possible projects in communities and the possibility of cooperation between communities.
“In February and March 2022, Kyiv Oblast communities suffered from Russia’s full-scale invasion. Housing, infrastructure facilities, and businesses were destroyed due to the fighting. Now, even as the war is still ongoing, it is important to develop plans to raise funds not only for rebuilding, but also for projects aimed at the economic recovery of communities. This process should involve both local and regional authorities, as well as representatives of civil society organizations,” said Levchenko.