This event was organised by The State Building, Regional Policy and Local Government Committee, with assistance from The Ukrainian Association of Local and Regional Authorities, UNO Development Programme, German Society for Technological Co-operation (GTZ), Secretariat of The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, and Members of Regional and District Councils.
Discussions held at these workshops addressed the urgent issues of strategic planning of the development of areas and communities, greater involvement of community members in the drafting and realisation of Local and Regional Development Programmes, financial provision for Local Councils' authorities and the Budget process, and Housing and Utilities issues.
Delegates from State Authorities and Local Governments deliberated on proposals included in the Bills, to amend the Laws 'On Local Government in Ukraine', 'On Local State Administration', together with several other Bills, and also examined the formation of Local Budgets 2008.
The Delegates also discussed the problems of International Trans-border cooperation of Ukrainian Communities and Regions, and among them the absence of any coordinated standards and provisions regulating the creation and operation of Euro-regions, or their adaptation to EU standards. Regional Councils, being key bodies in Trans-border cooperation, have no Executive Bodies of their own, or skilled personnel able to come up with innovative ideas, attract investments and efficiently manage new Trans-border projects, etc.
The Delegates concluded that the proposals put forward during the discussions should be taken into account when drafting Bills on The Development of The State Regional Policy. Members of Local Governments and Associations thereof, Public Societies, Scientific Institutions, Ukrainian and Foreign Experts, should be involved in drafting these Bills.