A unified Geographic Information System (GIS) for monitoring and evaluating the development of regions and communities provides access to regional data in the form of a set of layers on an interactive map (data on destruction, changes in population, number of legal entities, access to social services, functional types of territories, etc.) The implementation of the system allows to switch to "smart" community development planning and data-driven regional policy implementation.

"GIS is a powerful tool for implementing state regional development policy. The system streamlines the work with regional statistics data, transferring them from paper to digital format. We will receive data on the real state of communities and territories, which is the basis for effective planning and transparent use of budget funds. In addition, the GIS indicators will be harmonised with the European ones, which will allow Ukraine to access the best EU funding policies and programmes," said Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine, Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.

The GIS system consists of a public part accessible to all, as well as an administrative part for entering verified data, planning and control, which will be available to communities, regional administrations and government organisations, the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development and the Recovery Agency. GIS also offers a unified framework for structuring planning documents, allowing for the automated definition of regional development objectives and indicators.

The development of basic GIS functions will be completed in May and presented in June 2024. The next version of the system will allow modelling community development scenarios and conducting data-driven planning based on the data entered. It will also assess the effectiveness of the State Regional Development Fund's (SRDF) expenditures and compile an investment index for individual communities and regions.

"A year ago, we developed and approved the creation of the Damaged and Destroyed Property Register (DDPR), which contains verified data on losses from the russian invasion. Today, the DDPR has already been integrated into the DREAM digital ecosystem, and the integration of the Prozorro procurement system and the Unified State Electronic System in the field of construction is underway. And now the Geographic Information System, which will become a source of data on strategic planning documents of communities and regions, and thus will allow prioritising recovery projects," said Olena Shulyak, Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on State Building, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning.

The launch of the GIS system will create a single digital cycle of strategic planning and implementation and control of regional development, commented Oleksandra Azarkhina, Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.

"We are moving from formal visions to clear indicators and targets for regional development. Based on the updated State Regional Development Strategy, hromadas are developing their development programmes with a list of key projects that will have priority in attracting funding. We will have an opportunity to monitor the effectiveness of each project, each investment, and their impact on the development of the community and the region," explained Oleksandra Azarkhina.

For more details Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development official website.