In order for Ukraine to become an investment hub, it is essential for each community to become a local investment hub. This was announced by Hennadii Zubko, Vice Prime Minister/ Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Utilities of Ukraine during the X National Expert Forum-NEF2018 in Odesa.

"The most valuable resources in our country are not the land and roads, but educated and hard-working Ukrainians, who are ready to develop their communities", Hennadii Zubko claimed.

The Vice Prime Minister informed that due to the implementation of the decentralization reform, 838 consolidated communities (CCs) were formed in Ukraine during 4 years, in which more than 8 million citizens live. According to the long-term plans, it is planned to establish 1206 united communities. The final number can be at 1300-1400 CCs. "And this is not our final destination. It is very important for us to make communities powerful, so they could unite their resources and move forward. We must ensure a decent standard of living, quality of medicine and education, a safe and comfortable environment for very community in each city. Our primary goal is to ensure development of human potential and growth of the index of regional human development", Hennadii Zubko underscored.

According to him, there already exists a state strategy aimed to achieve these goals. This is not one document, these are several strategies on different directions that correlate with each other in purposes and key indicators that need to be achieved.

"In addition to the elaborated strategies, defined goals and objectives, each community has a set of tools that need to be wisely used in order to become real investment hubs. These are constantly growing budgets, state support to the tune of UAH 40 billion, the Energy Efficiency Fund, introduction of regions’ smart-specialization, the support of the International Finance Organization, etc. And in order to use all these tools efficiently, a lot of self-improvement is required. First of all – a definitive overcoming of paternalism, but also continuous training, adaptation to constant changes and implementation of project management at the administrative level", Hennadii Zubko underscored.