U-LEAD has developed an algorithm of actions to support community food security

Experts from the U-LEAD with Europe Programme and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food held an information meeting with representatives of communities across Ukraine to discuss the state of food security and possible ways to improve it.

This was reported by Ukrinform with reference to the U-LEAD website.

“U-LEAD with Europe has developed an algorithm of actions to support communities in the area of food security. We have trained their representatives to deal with food security issues, helped to create common pastures and a greenhouse, and set up an agricultural service. We understand all the new challenges and try to help overcome them promptly,” said Anatoliy Parkhomyuk, head of the U-LEAD with Europe regional office in the Volyn region. He believes it is vital to have a platform for high-quality and constructive communication between communities, state authorities and international organisations to increase the effectiveness of their cooperation.

Taras Vysotskyi, First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, agreed that effective communication and collaboration between communities and government agencies are crucial today. He mentioned that the state and international partners offer support programmes to improve food security. Grants are available for farmers and agricultural producers to construct greenhouses, establish processing facilities and plant gardens.

“Many communities have established community-run businesses in the agricultural sector. Unfortunately, these entities cannot take advantage of all the benefits of government support and are not included in the list of grant recipients. Given all the challenges of the war, we are planning some alterations to enable such businesses to apply for government grant opportunities,” the official said.

Vysotskyi noted that local governments should prepare appropriate requests and send them to the relevant ministries to speed up this process.

According to Serhiy Sharshov, who leads the Department of Local Self-Government Development at the Ministry of Communities, Territory and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, communities now have significant land management powers and have started creating community-run agricultural enterprises. There are currently 300 such enterprises in Ukraine.

“We support the initiative to include community-run enterprises in the list of entities that can receive state aid for agricultural development. It is necessary to equalise the rights of different entities and allocate additional resources for their development,” he said.

The expert added that the communities have already shown their willingness to work on increasing food reserves and their ability to adapt quickly to new challenges.

“Communities are provided with raw materials, but not always with products made from them. This problem can be solved by supporting local businesses with tax breaks, assistance in finding premises or leasing land. This applies to both existing businesses and relocated companies,” says Sharshov.

The U-LEAD with Europe (Ukraine – Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development) Programme is a multi-donor action of the European Union and its Member States Germany, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and Slovenia to support Ukraine in strengthening local governance. U-LEAD with Europe promotes transparent, accountable and multi-level governance in Ukraine that is responsive to citizens’ needs and empowers communities.

ukrinform.ua