Donor:

British Embassy Kyiv

Role in the project:

Partner

Implementation period:

September 2017 - February 2018   

The project aimed to enhance the capacity of local self-government bodies and activate processes of democratic and economic development in the newly amalgamated territorial communities of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. This was to be achieved by increasing the communities’ understanding of various economic opportunities and livelihoods based on the potential of local heritage, as well as by boosting youth participation in local governance. Through these efforts, the project aimed to facilitate decentralization reforms in Ukraine and preserve local heritage.

Project outputs and results:

• Two familiarization visits were organized for decision-makers in the Biloberizska and Pechenizhinska amalgamated territorial communities (ATGs) to the Vyhoda Narrow Gauge Heritage Center, serving as a local hub for change in Vyhoda town and surrounding villages (65 community leaders participated). Additionally, two creative workshops were conducted by professional experts and community leaders, outlining clear steps for revitalizing the local economy through tourism based on the potential of the local cultural heritage in the Biloberizska and Pechenizhinska ATGs.
• In three ATGs and the Pnivska village council, teams of youth leaders were prepared to participate in creative groups focused on local development (four intensive training sessions on entrepreneurship and debating skills, along with joint educational tours to the Vyhoda Narrow Gauge Heritage Center – 94 participants).
• A debate tournament titled «Past for the Future: Cultural Heritage in Development» was held for school youth from target communities (90 participants).
• Furthermore, a guide to the economics of heritage «From a remote province to a creative place - a crash test for small communities» was prepared.