 Learning exchange mission to Ivano-Frankivsk region
From February 12 to February 14, 2008, RGD project held a learning exchange mission to Ivano-Frankivsk oblast. The purpose of this mission was to learn about the experience of other Ukrainian oblasts in developing and implementing regional development strategies and programs, and the institutions established by them for this purpose. The focus was on sharing experience in areas related to RGD pilot oblasts strategic priorities, such as planning and development of tourism, investments attraction, etc. The participants of the mission were Ihor Sanzharovskyi, RGD Senior Technical Advisor, Iryna Lekh, RGD Zaporizhzhia Oblast Project Manager, and Oleg Luksha, Zakarpattya Oblast Project Expert. During the mission, the delegation participated in two round table meetings with representatives of Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, rayon and city authorities, and local businesses and civil society. They also visited the Ukrainian-Canadian Business-Centre in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk, which was established in framework of the “Small Business and Economic Development in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast” (SBEDIF) project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and met with representatives of the Association of Economic Development of Kolomyia.
The participants of the roundtable meeting in Ivano-Frankivsk were Oleksandr Pasichnyk, Director, SBEDIF Business Centre, Anatoliy Furda, SBEDIF Regional Network Coordinator, Viktor Petrenko, Head of Department of Regional Economic Development of Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Natural Gas, Yuri Tsymbalyuk, Head of Department of Entrepreneurship and Industry of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast State Administration, Volodymyr Ustynskyi, Head of Department of Tourism of Ivano-Frankivsk City Council Executive Committee, Nelya Veligzhanina, Entrepreneur, member of the Borrowing Committee of the SBEDIF Business Centre. As a result of this meeting, RGD participants learned that Ivano-Frankivsk oblast developed and implemented its strategy by establishing a permanent coordination council and working groups responsible for strategic priorities. The oblast uses the annual socio-economic development plans as the key mechanism for strategy implementation. RGD representatives also learned about Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts vision and approaches to attracting investments and tourism development.
The roundtable meeting in Kolomyia was attended by Vasyl Fedyuk, Director of the Board of Association of Economic Development of Kolomyia region, Director of Kolomyia Business Centre, Volodymyr Tarnovetskyi, Deputy Head on Economy of City Council, Olga Granda, Head of Department of Economy of Kolomyia City Council Executive Committee, Olexandr Panchenko, Specialist, Division on Investments Attraction of Kolomyia City Council Executive Committee, Mykola Andriychuk, Member of the advisory committee, and Orysia Mykhailiv, Head of the Community Foundation of the city of Kolomyia. During this meeting, representatives of Kolomyia city shared their experience in developing a strategic plan for the city of Kolomyia. RGD participants also learned about the work of Association of Economic Development of Kolomyia region. This organization is responsible for attracting investments, and initiating and implementing various local development projects. The operation of the Community Fund of the city of Kolomyia, through which the city raises funds from the private sector for implementation of social development projects, and the role of the local government authorities in attracting foreign investments were other useful experiences shared with RGD representatives.
The knowledge and expertise received during this mission will be applied during further work on implementation of regional strategies in RGD pilot oblast Zaporizhzhia and Zakarpattya.
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