The first results of the second phase of the EU / UNDP "Community-Based Local Development" project were presented at a press conference in Zaporizhya Oblast State Administration.

With the account to the fact that the "Community-Based Local Development" project is implemented with the assistance of the Oblast  State Administration,  the journalists' questions were answered by CBA partners in OSA: Evgen SEMECHAYEVSKY, Head of the Chief Administration for Industry and Infrastructure Development and Anna KUZNETSOVA, Deputy Head of External Relations and Foreign Economic Affairs of the Oblast State Administration.

According to Alexander Ryaby, Community Development Officer of CBA in Zaporizhya Oblast, 9 rayons were selected for further cooperation with the project. Specifically, those are Berdyansky, Hulyaypilsky, Kamyansko-Dniprovsky, Kuibyshevsky, Novomykolaivsky, Orihivsky, Pologivsky, Azovsky and Yakymivsky. Also, three reserve rayons were selected  - Veselivsky, Mykhailivsky and Vasylivsky.

- A specific feature of the project is that communities choose their priorities themselves. They also develop projects, accumulate funds, choose contractors, monitor progress and report on work completed, - A. Ryaby emphasized.

Health care, environmental protection, water supply and sanitation remain to be priorities. In addition, the energy saving direction was updated. In the future, social sphere buildings will not simply have windows and doors replaced; their premise will also undergo a full refurbishment, complete with alternative-fuel boilers, solar batteries, etc.

- In our oblast, there are no schools with an integrated system of energy-saving technologies that will make it possible to save up to 60% of the heating energy. This project provides a real opportunity to significantly improve the situation, - A.Ryabyi noted, outlining the benefits of participation in CBA project.

Given the importance and great value of the energy efficiency, the project management decided to increase the ceiling of USD 10000 and fund 70% of costs of such projects, instead of 50%.