Today, the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine acts as a communicator and coordinator between government agencies and international organizations in order to coordinate the development processes and to ensure the implementation of reforms aimed at regional and local development. The principal goal and objective of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are to increase the competitiveness and sustainable development of each community. Therefore, the issue of sustainability of the RDAs is crucial.

First Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine Dmytro Zhyvytskyy told during the Forum of Regional Development Agencies “RDA as an Effective Regional Development Tool”, held on October 2 in Kyiv.

“The Ministry is planning to build a model of cooperation with the RDA following the principle: the project management office in the Ministry - Regional Development Agency - the project management office in the communities. This structure will be responsible for the coordination of projects both at the national level and at the community level”, Dmytro Zhyvytskyy said.

He noted that the initiative for the implementation of projects aimed at regional development should be undertaken by the RDA, as they serve a link between communities and central executive bodies.

“Now we need to realize what the Agencies lack, in order to become true leaders of change on the ground. Next year, the principles and approaches of project selection for financing from the State Regional Development Fund will change: the impact of projects on regional development will be measured, as well as whether new jobs will be created, or the gross regional product will grow. And it is up to the RDAs to work with local authorities to develop and implement projects aimed to provide territorial development”, Dmytro Zhyvytskyy summed up.