On July 3-4 and 11-12, 40 representatives from target communities of the project “Revealing the potential of heritage for the economic development of small communities” participated in training on the implementation of anchor projects for the development of tourism products related to heritage. The goal of the workshops was to provide partner communities of the USAID HOVERLA Project with effective tools for local economic development and to increase the capacity of communities to manage and use cultural heritage and natural resources for the benefit of the entire community.

The first workshop brought together representatives of Dykanska, Senchanska, Orzhytska territorial communities (TH) of Poltava region, Teterivska TH of Zhytomyr region, Goshchanska TH of Rivne region and Zymnivska TH of Volyn region. The second workshop brought together representatives of Chernyakhivska and Khoroshivska TH of Zhytomyr region, Bilokrynytska TH of Rivne region, Shchatska TH of Volyn region, Dovzhanska and Horinchivska TH of Zakarpattia region.

The training workshops included a two-day program based on four territorial communities. The first day of the workshops was held in Vyhoda, and the second day - in Pasichnya, Nadvirnya and Kosivska communities of Ivano-Frankivsk region. Participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the most striking examples of successful approaches to planning and managing anchor projects related to heritage tourism and the corresponding development of products and services.

Natural and cultural heritage is still traditionally perceived in Ukraine as an object of protection rather than a factor of economic development. At the same time, there are a number of examples of anchor attractions based on heritage at the local level that attract visitors and are a stimulus for community development. The training workshops gave participants the opportunity to learn how such attractions are created and managed, which should help them in the future to generate and implement heritage-related development projects in their communities.

During the first day of the workshop, participants visited the Vygod Narrow Gauge Heritage Center and other development initiatives of the Vygod community. They learned about the path to creating the Vygod Narrow Gauge Heritage Center, the oldest operating one in Ukraine, and learned how the Center's creation sparked numerous entrepreneurial initiatives.
 

The next day, representatives of territorial communities visited Nadvirna, Pniv, and Kosiv. During the visit, participants learned about anchor development projects around the historical heritage of the Pniv Fortress, the Krasnodvir Castle Theater, and the path of transformation of the “carpet workshop” at the Center for Carpathian Culture.

The workshops were built on the coverage of practical aspects, rather than on the presentation of theory, and provided for a flexible approach. Visits to key attractions were complemented by detailed explanations from their creators, demonstrations, expert analysis of the environment and existing challenges, which strengthened the practical significance of the workshops and ensured the active involvement of participants. According to participants, participation in the workshop inspired them with a number of fresh ideas, which community leaders intend to transform into specific local development projects in the future.

This publication were developed by NGO Agency for Private Initiative Development within the project Revealing the potential of heritage for the economic development of small communities and were made possible by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the generous support of the American people through USAID HOVERLA Activity. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

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