Project Defense of 13 small-scale projects in Zakarpattya
The final module of the RGD Project Management and Strategy Implementation Training Program (PMT) took place on June 10 -11 2009 in Zakarpattya.
As part of this module, representatives from six rayons and two towns presented and defended the proposals for 13 small-scale projects to a committee consisting of Heads of Zakarpattya Oblast State Administration, Oblast Council, representatives of business and academia as well as RGD experts. The presentation on 13 small-scale projects marks a tremendous milestone of the RGD project as well as regional development in Zakarpattya oblast.
In the fall of 2008, the Zakarpattya Oblast State Administration selected 27 projects to be supported and implemented within the framework of the Zakarpattya Regional Development Strategy until 2015.
To assist in the development of the project proposals and eventual implementation, project teams received ongoing support, training and mentoring by RGD Ukrainian and international experts. Specifically, in the first nine months, project teams participated in training workshops on project management, financial planning, team building, as well as communication and presentation skills. They also developed action plans and schedules for project implementation as well as carried out social and gender impact assessments. From this extensive training program, 13 small-scale projects proposals emerged – all of which meet the five strategic priorities of the Zakarpattya Regional Development Strategy: Human Development and Improving Quality of Life; Developing Competitive and Sustainable Economy; Expanding Cross-Border Cooperation; Developing Tourism; and Recreation and Health Resort Industries. The 13 projects presented and defended to the committee, ranging in costs from $ 50 thousand UAH to $ 6.3 million UAH, are as follows:
• Hospice-type Institution for Providing Palliative Care in Vynohradiv Rayon;
• Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled People in Irshava Rayon;
• Resource Centre to Support Activities of the Ownership Associations in Uzhhorod;
• Agricultural Service Cooperatives;
• Company Employing Energy-saving Technologies in the City of Uzhgorod;
• Industrial Park with Logistical Elements “Bereg – Karpathy” in Berehovo rayon of Ukraine and Sobolch-Sotmar-Bereh region of Hungary;
• Building to Establish the Euro - Integration Centre for the Development of Rakhiv Rayon “European Common Home”;
• Alternative Transport Corridor Involving Infrastructure Resources of Zakarpattya;
• Tourism Information Centre for the Disabled;
• Mukachevo Tourism Information Centre;
• National Centre for Climbing the Hoverla Mountain;
• Improving the Environment in the City of Berehovo by Reconstructing the Flood-gate on the Verke Canal; and
• Geo-information (GIS) System from Territory Management in Uzhgorod Rayon
The members of the defense committee provided extremely positive feedback to the project teams.
Viktor Pogorelov, Head of the Economic Department of the Zakarpattya Oblast State Administration, noted that all projects are very important and relevant for the oblast’s development. He was impressed with the documents prepared by each team to attract potential investors, consisting of comprehensive information, detailed budgets, and a team ready to implement the project. Also commenting on the successful defense of the projects, Vasyl Brenzovych, Deputy Head of the Zakarpattya Oblast Council, iterated that the authorities welcome the success of representatives from rayon administrations. Each project was developed in accordance with new regulations, modern requirements and all have the necessary elements for successful implementation. According to Volodymyr Hoblyk, Deputy Head of the Zakarpattya Oblast State Administration, the PMT immensely benefited the training participants. This is noticeable since some of the projects presented are already at the first stage of implementation while others have commenced the search for funding. In this respect, RGD Lead International Expert Duncan Leitch commented that the training program provided by RGD experts provided opportunities to develop legal and financial documents as well as understand project management tools.
Each project has also successfully considered community needs, noted RGD Gender Expert Marianna Kolodiy.
Following the project defense, the teams were awarded RGD Project certificates and certificates from the Zakarpattya Regional Center of Retraining and Skill Improvement for Public Officials, Local Authorities, State Enterprises, Institutions and Organizations.
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