The ruling party of the Ukrainian parliament has decided on the directions of regional development. According to Olena Shulyak, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Local Self-Government, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Verkhovna Rada are obliged to create all conditions for recovery, but real changes should take place at the level closest to the people. Communities should become the centers of reconstruction, on which the country’s success and sustainability depend.
Communities are already preparing for recovery today, as it is a complex process that requires significant efforts, resources, and clear coordination. To be effective, local governments should focus on four main tasks:
Recovery planning: Developing a comprehensive recovery program that includes an analysis of the area, resources, and priorities.
Attracting investments: Using the DREAM system to work with donors and attract funding.
Cooperation with business: Creating economic clusters to stimulate growth and improve infrastructure.
Returning Ukrainians home: Providing housing through affordable loans, programs for veterans, IDPs and other vulnerable groups.
The main principle of reconstruction is “better than before,” with an emphasis on energy efficiency, green policies, barrier-free accessibility, and inclusiveness. All this is primarily about creating decent living conditions. And the local level of government, as the closest to the people, should put this into practice. This is the only way we can rebuild a country in which all its citizens will feel comfortable living.
Pavlo Kostyuk, the founder of the URF, supporting these directions, said: “Recovery at the local level is critical for the sustainability and development of our country. We must ensure that each community has the resources and capabilities to effectively implement these tasks.”
Pavlo Kostyuk is confident that “only through the joint efforts of the government, local communities and international partners will we be able to rebuild a strong, resilient and prosperous Ukraine”.
Integration of new approaches and methods into all aspects of recovery will create the basis for long-term development and improvement of the quality of life for all citizens.