Today in Ternopil oblast the Third phase of joint EU/UNDP Project “Community Based Approach” was officially launched. The presentation took place on 09 October 2014 during regional seminar under participation of Head of Oblast State Administration Oleh Syrotiuk, Head of Oblast Council Vasyl Khominets, International project manager of EU/UNDP Project “Community Based Approach” Jaysingh Sah, Monitoring and communication specialist of EU/UNDP Project “Community Based Approach” Svitlana Slabinska, leadership of rayon state administrations and rayon councils; and heads of village and city councils.

The launch event gathered together regional and local authorities, civil societies, private sector and media to discuss cooperation for promoting community-led local sustainable development further to improve the living conditions of people in Ternopil oblast. “Implementation of such projects is highly important for us. Today we are talking about decentralization, and transfer of some powers to a local level. But we should be aware that it is also a bid responsibility for communities. Under this cercumstances only proactive communities will be highly developed, which have strong leaders and are open for cooperation with partners” – stressed the Head of Oblast State Administration Oleh Syrotiuk in his welcoming speech.

The Head of Oblast Council Vasyl Khominets also marked that “Ternopil oblast is one of the first oblasts of Ukraine which responded to the call for participation in CBA Project. Implementation of the CBA Project in Ternopil region  during 2008-2014 demonstrated high interest among communities andlocal authorities in further cooperation with Project, utilizing suggested approach to community mobilization, co-financing, and implementation of local initiatives.”

During the launching of the Third phase of the CBA Project a Partnership Agreement was signed with Ternopil oblast state administration, Ternopil oblast council and UNDP. During regional seminar an Action Plan for Project implementation in oblast was introduced. 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 9 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

Participants of the regional seminar discussed the Project role in a social and economic development of the region and encouragement of community initiatives on a local level. Oblast authorities and International Project Manager of EU/UNDP Project “Community Based Approach” Jaysingh Sah outlined priorities of further cooperation in Ternopil oblast.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 Ternopil 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.

Implementation of the first phase of CBA Project commenced in Ternopil region during July 2008. First phase was succeeded by a second phase in July 2011. Over these two phases 87 ths. of men, women and children of the region have benefitted from improvement in 80 schools/kindergartens, 18 healthposts, 6 water supply, 2 environment, 2 street-lightning and so on. This happened through joint effort of the citizens, oblast/rayon/local level governments, CBA Project and the private sponsors.

The main objective of the Third phase is that communities and local authorities will be ready for  a full-frame implementation of the community based approach

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