Public participation and an improved monitoring system will contribute to the effective implementation of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Development Strategy
On April 14 2009, the first workshop on the monitoring of the “Zaporizhzhia Regional Development Strategy until 2015” was held in Zaporizhzhia. The first objective of this workshop was to develop mechanisms to improve the currently used monitoring system of the Regional Development Strategy. In this respect, the workshop focused on how to specify data sources, identify agencies responsible for monitoring and evaluation, improve data collection and analysis processes, as well as how to use monitoring results for improved strategy implementation. The second objective of the workshop was to develop monitoring and evaluation mechanisms that allow for wider public participation in the process.
Bohdan Wynnyckyi (RGD Canadian Expert) presented on best Canadian practices of monitoring systems and their role in regional development. Bohdan and Myroslava Lendel (RGD Ukrainian Expert) also presented on the experiences of other technical assistance projects, funded by DFID and USAID, working in Ukraine. The RGD Gender Expert, Marinna Kolodiy provided input into how gender analysis could be a useful tool for the implementation of the Regional Development Strategy. Incorporating gender considerations is important to ensure that the specific needs of different social groups are taken into account.
The expert presentations were followed by an active discussion on the topics presented. While working in groups, workshop participants discussed the possibility of an agency that would coordinate the strategy monitoring process, as well as collect and analyze data. This should be done by an independent non-governmental organization and involve the public to the greatest extent possible.
Summing up the workshop results, Irina Lekh (RGD Project Regional Manager in Zaporizhzhia) emphasized that the monitoring system still requires improvements and adjustments in terms of updating indictors and establishing a mechanism for data collection. The RGD Regional Experts and working group members agreed that this was a priority and decided to work on this as soon as possible; their findings will be presented at the next workshop.
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