EU strategically supports regional development in Ukraine

Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the State Regional Development Strategy 2024-2027, becoming an efficient tool for mitigation of the impact of the war, promotion of recovery and enlargement.

The EU has supported the preparation of the Strategy through the European Commission, the EU Delegation and a long-running EU-funded program U-LEAD with Europe on reconstruction and recovery topics as well as ensuring comprehensive advisory and expert support. Notable contributions were provided by the Sectoral Working Group of key donors “Decentralisation and Regional Development”, which is co-chaired by the EU, Switzerland the Ministry for Restoration.

With the approval of the Strategy, the Government is fulfilling an Enlargement report 2023 recommendation and indicator of the Ukraine Plan for Q3 2024.

The adoption of the Strategy constitutes an important step on Ukraine’s path of democratization and European integration, the foundations of which include further decentralization of power, the restoration of local self-government in the de-occupied territories, effective multi-level governance, and a clear distribution of powers between the executive power and local self-government. The EU welcomes the aspirations and efforts of Ukraine to create safe, economic and social conditions for the return of its citizens to their homes. That’s why the EU supports the key vectors of the Strategy, including reintegration of veterans with their families and the recovery of infrastructure, emphasising assurance of security requirements, accessibility and the interests of people, notably, vulnerable groups.

With a forward look, work should continue with the development of the Action Plan of the Strategy, which should include concrete steps on how the Strategy will be implemented. The EU will uphold active dialogue with the Ministry for Restoration and other donors during preparation of this document.

Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, underlined that today the Government updated the State Strategy for Regional Development. We provided amendments to reflect the challenges caused by war and recommendations of the European Union. We set ourselves a number of ambitious goals. In particular, to create conditions for Ukrainians to return home, to recover and develop infrastructure, to increase the institutional and financial capacity of local self-government. I am sure that this document will help Ukraine to ensure decentralization, recovery and sustainable regional development”.

Rémi Duflot, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, noted that the State Strategy for Regional Development is one of the key documents to ensure the sustainable development of Ukrainian regions and communities. The EU also looks forward to the further implementation of the last European Commission’s Enlargement report recommendations on regional policy, in close coordination with the recovery and reconstruction, multi-level governance and territorial-oriented regional policy, taking into account the differing impact of the war on the regions of Ukraine”

For additional information, please contact Natalia Starostenko, sector manager at the EU Delegation to Ukraine: natalia.starostenko@eeas.europa.eu