Will cross -border cooperation be an effective tool for the development of Chernihiv region?

The neighborhood of the Chernihiv region with Russia and Belarus does not allow it to fully use the potential of border cooperation to develop the region. Such conclusions were reached by experts from the NGO “Polissya Fund of International and Regional Research” in the analytical note, which was presented on March 6, 2018 in Chernihiv with the participation of representatives of public associations, civil servants and scientists. The study was prepared with the support of the Public Synergy project, funded by the European Union and is implemented by the International Renaissance Foundation.

The study states that in the strategic documents of the region for the period up to 2020, cross -border cooperation is not defined as a priority direction of activity. On the one hand, this does not comply with a number of provisions of the State Regional Development Strategy – 2020, on the other hand, the neighborhood of Belarus and Russia does not have such a powerful potential of cross -border cooperation that the regions of Ukraine own.

“Prior to the launch of the EAPTC Pilot Program, Belarus-Ukraine, the Chernihiv region did not experience experience in cross-border programs funded by the European Union. But with the further support of the EU, the border cooperation of Ukraine and Belarus, our region can obtain an additional development tool. The preparation and implementation of the EAPTC program of Belarus-Ukraine has already enabled local authorities to gain experience in their formation, to convey to the developers of their vision of priorities of cross-border interaction “, He saidExpert “Polissya Fund of International and Regional Research” Yevhen Romanenko.

Summarizing the results of realization in the region of cross -border cooperation,Head of the Department of Investment and Foreign Economic Activities of the Department of Economic Development of Chernihiv Regional State Administration Yuriy Sukhomlin, he noted thatCross -border cooperation measures are more concerned with the humanitarian component than economic. However, it is expected that in the future the Chernihiv region will actively participate in the projects of cross -border cooperation, given the introduction of a series of seminars for specialists of departments of the regional state administration in project management. Two representatives from each structural unit of the Regional State Administration have already been involved in writing projects – 28 project applications will be submitted for a competition for the Ministry of Regional Development.

According to the results of the study of the Polissya Fund of International and Regional Research, it was proposed to include a tool of cross -border cooperation in the strategic documents of the region, in particular, within the framework of the border community “Euroregion” Dnipro “; Increase interaction with organizations that can develop and implement projects defined by the plans of the regional strategy. Experts also voiced a number of recommendations that will allow to strengthen the participation of the region in cross -border cooperation projects:
– when developing regional strategic documents of the region, take into account the possibilities of current programs of cross -border and territorial cooperation in order to fully use them for the development of the region. In particular, we are talking about expanding sources of financing relevant to the region of cross -border projects;
– purposefully defend the interests of the region when coordinating the financial programs of PTTS. This should happen taking into account the strategic directions of development of Chernihiv region, defined in its regional development strategy;
– to develop and approve mechanisms that will allow systematically and promptly implement the financing and co -financing of transboundary cooperation projects within the framework of the strategic priorities of the region;
– in the preparation of a plan of measures for implementation of the Regional Development Strategy, take into account the possibilities of financing within the framework of PTTS;
– to create in the structure of the ODA a single coordination center responsible for the systematic implementation of the cross -border potential of the region;
– In the agreements on interregional cooperation with Belarusian regions, to provide coordination of joint participation in PTTS.

Reference: The event was held within the framework of the Synergy of Cross -Border Cooperation Programs and Regional Development Programs in Ukraine – a window of opportunities for border areas, which implements the Polissya Fund Under the auspices of the Ukrainian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum. The purpose of the Synergy of Cross -Border Cooperation Programs and Regional Development Programs in Ukraine is to increase the efficiency of regional policy and cross -border cooperation in the border regions of Ukraine (including in the context of using Ukraine by EU assistance) by increasing the positive synergies of translation of the translation of Ukraine. Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Volyn, Lviv, Transcarpathian, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia and Odessa regions.