The updated State Regional Development Strategy (SRDS) for 2021-2027 is territory-oriented, takes into account the challenges of today and the goals of European integration, and addresses the real needs of regions and hromadas. This is an important step towards bringing the state regional policy closer to the key policy of the European Union - cohesion policy.

The amendments to the State Regional Development Strategy are the result of the joint work of all stakeholders - local and regional authorities, associations of local self-government bodies, the expert community and civil society - who were united by the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development around the preparation of the necessary changes to the strategic document.

Further work will be focused on the following areas:

• creating proper conditions - safe, economic, social - that will send a signal to our citizens that they are welcome at home, in Ukraine;
• reintegration of female and male veterans and their families, as this is a cross-cutting issue for all sectors that directly affects national security and economic development;
• further development of the institutional and financial capacity of local self-government bodies - the authorities closest to the people and capable of responding promptly to their needs;
• synchronisation of regional development policy and other sectoral policies.

"The emphasis is on restoring infrastructure, taking into account safety requirements, barrier-free accessibility and the interests of people, including vulnerable groups. This is a component of the Strategy as the main planning document of regional policy. Hence, the need for a clear division of powers between government and local authorities at all levels, which is also included in the updated Strategy. Decentralisation of power and further development of the territorial organisation of power is an important component of the state regional policy," said Natalia Kozlovska, Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development.

The Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development has prepared an information brochure that will help to quickly understand the essence of the updated State Regional Development Strategy for 2021-2027.

A set of information and communication measures is also being prepared to bring regional strategies in line with the State Regional Development Strategy within the shortest possible time.

The Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development expresses its gratitude to its partners - the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as the Committee on State Building, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning, local government associations, experts and public figures for their active participation in the work on the updated State Regional Development Strategy for 2021.