During its first phase of the project (2005-2010), RGD promoted civic engagement in regional governance, providing opportunities for citizens and communities to shape their common future and to put their regions, specifically the pilot regions of Zakarpattya and Zaporizhzhia, on the path towards sustainable development. On a national level, the project helped strengthen regional development policy by providing advice to the MoE of Ukraine and later on to the MoRDC, and sharing know-how from other jurisdictions in Europe and North America. The project worked with regional level government institutions to enhance their accountability, transparency, effectiveness, and capacity to promote strategic regional economic development while being responsive to citizens’ needs. The experiences in the two pilot regions fostered model approaches to improved regional governance in Ukraine that can inform the country’s policy and practice into the future.

Key achievements

National-Regional-Local Relationships Enabled

Regional Strategic Plans for Zaporizhzhia and Zakarpattya Formulated

Regional Strategic Plans Implemented

Over $5 million in funding leveraged for 59 projects
Strengthened Institutions at the Region Level

Transforming the Regional Economy through Production Value Chains and Clusters

Cadre of Regional Development Specialists Developed
Resources on Regional Development Established and Shared

Becoming Gender Responsive
Environmental Impacts Considered

For more information on RGD activities and results achieved during the initial phase, please contact Christine Meehan, Project Officer.