"SMALL DREAMS, BIG ACHIEVEMENTS". SUCCESS STORIES OF THE EU/UNDP PROJECT "COMMUNITY BASED APPROACH TO LOCAL DEVELOPMENT"

At the beginning of their collaboration with the donors communities usually dream about large-scale transformations and projects. But answering to the question "What are the primary challenges you face in everyday life?" villagers indicate one of the primary needs such as water supply, collectionof wastes or warm classrooms for children.

During the Project implementation these priorities became micro-projects and have been implemented by the communities under co-financing from the EU and UNDP, local budgets, communities and local businesses. These initiatives have improved the life of people, creating preconditions for educational and health services, improving the environment and energy efficiency. Thus, small-scale dreams turned out to great achievement for the communities which have implemented they and brought positive changes in their society. We are pleased to present you a selection of success stories from different regions of Ukraine, which describe with joint and effective communities and ways of solving of local problems, extraordinary leaders and successful partnership, and the role of socially responsible business.

"COMMUNITY BASED APPROACH TO LOCAL DEVELOPMENT: RESULTS AND IMPACT" (based on the findings of the KIIS sociological study)

The publication presents summarized results of assessment of impact of the Project "Community Based Approach to Local Development". Based on the results of  survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology and the data collected by the monitoring unit of the CBA Project methodology of Community Based Approach and the overall effectiveness of the CBA Project have been evaluated. Received results provide a reasonable basis to argue that Community Based Approach to Local Development is an effective tool to support joint efforts of all stakeholders at the local level to achieve the best results in the field of development. This methodology also strengthens local self-governance, improves provided service and creates a favorable environment for improvement of the quality of life. This approach is effective in uncovering the potential and bringing together local communities, local elected and executive authorities and the private sector in defining the priorities in appropriate areas and joint implementation of initiatives on improvement of living conditions.

"COMMUNITY BASED APPROACH TO LOCAL DEVELOPMENT: CONDITIONS AND OBSTACLES"

Report on assessment of legal and regulatory environment in the sphere of local development and recommendations for its improvement prepared by the International Centre for Policy Studies by request of the Project "Community Based Approach to Local Development". Its goal - to assess available in Ukraine legal and institutional conditions and obstacles for implementation of community based approach to local development based on experience of implementation of UNDP and other international technical assistance projects in Ukraine. Local development is seen as activities of different stakeholder groups (local government authorities, local self-government authorities, entrepreneurs, activists, and citizens in general, etc.) aimed at improving of the quality of life in general or its components at the local level (in a particular village or area).

Results of sociological research "Evaluation of the impact of Community Based Approach to Local Development" implemented by the UNDP Projects in Ukraine financed by the European Union and other donors"

Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, 2011