In Kyiv oblast the Third phase of joint EU/UNDP Project “Community Based Approach” was officially launched today. The presentation took place on 14 October during regional seminar under participation of Head of oblast state administration Volodymyr Shandra, Acting head of oblast council Viacheslav Dobriansky, International Project Manager of EU/UNDP Project “Community Based Approach” Jaysingh Sah, Community development specialist of EU/UNDP Project “Community Based Approach” Olena Ruditch, leadership of rayon state administrations and rayon councils; and heads of village and city councils.

«The value of experience which we gained in terms of implementation this international project in Kyiv oblast is hard to overestimate. This partnership cooperation – is a key to success in all spheres where it works. Especially important in this type of partnership is a participation of local communities. They have proved that they are able to address community issues effectively, mobilizing efforts and costs from divers sources. Oblast authorities are ready to continue provide support this kind of initiatives”, underlined Volodymyr Shandra.

During regional seminar a trilateral Agreement between Kyiv oblast council, Kyiv oblast administration and UNDP was signed. During launching it was announced about the start of competitive selection of rayons for participation in the Project. Now rayons will be able to submit applications for participation in the Project. After this the contest committee will define 8 rayons-winners which will participate in the third phase of CBA Project. The Application form can be found: http://www.cba.org.ua/three/ua/news/announcements/2616-application-form-for-rayons-for-partnership-with-cba

During the Third phase of the Project will support local authorities in dissemination of best practices and experience in participatory planning and further dissemination of the community based approach in Kyiv oblast.  The Project activities will focus on rehabilitation of social and communal infrastructure in the area of energy efficiency, health care, environment, water supply, rural economy. The Project will support Ukrainian Government in implementation of decentralization reforms and in dissemination of innovative approaches for participatory planning and for promotion of sustainable social economic development on local level through the knowledge management hub and through implementation of the appropriate courses into curriculum of 20 universities.

Implementation of the first phase of CBA Project commenced in Kyiv region during June 2008. First phase was succeeded by a second phase in August 2011. Over these two phases more than 25000 of men, women and children of the region have benefitted from improvement in 62 schools/kindergartens, 22 healthposts, 3 water supply, 8 street-lightning and so on. This happened through joint effort of the citizens, oblast/rayon/local level governments, CBA Project and the private sponsors.

Third phase of CBA project will be implemented during 2014-2018 with a total budget of 23.8 million Euro, provided by the European Union (23 million Euro) and UNDP (800,000 Euro). Its objective is to promote sustainable socio-economic development at local level by strengthening participatory governance and fostering community-led initiatives across Ukraine