New Cycle of Strategic Planning Gets Underway
Work has started on a fresh round of strategic planning for Ukraine's regional development, targeting the 2028–2034 period. A two-day workshop was held at the Ministry of Development, gathering representatives from central and local government bodies, international experts, and partner organizations. This event marked the first practical phase in drafting Ukraine's new State Regional Development Strategy, organized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) under its Ukraine Programme.
More than 200 participants joined the workshop, both in person and online. The international experts invited came from Romania, Croatia, Poland, and the United Kingdom. Their discussions focused on the key factors that will shape Ukraine's regional development strategy.
Oleksiy Ryabykhin emphasized the importance of the State Regional Development Strategy: 'It must serve not only as a strategic and programmatic document but as a foundation for making state decisions, setting investment priorities, concentrating resources, and driving the country's recovery and development. It should ensure coherence among national, regional, and local policies, and also prepare Ukraine for full participation in the European Union's cohesion policy.'
Oleksiy Ryabykhin
Why This Strategy Matters for Ukraine
Drafting a new State Regional Development Strategy represents a crucial step for Ukraine. Beyond boosting economic growth, it can foster social progress in the regions. The involvement of international experts and partners also reflects Ukraine's desire to integrate into European structures and apply global best practices to improve its regional policies. This planning cycle aligns with Ukraine's European integration goals and post-conflict recovery efforts.
Such an approach should help the country adapt to shifts in the global environment and enhance the effectiveness of its state development programs.
As Ukraine embarks on this new phase of strategic planning, the need for effective governance and personnel policies becomes increasingly evident. Recent developments in the government's approach to reshaping its personnel policy are accelerating the creation of regional resilience plans. These initiatives aim to enhance the capacity of local administrations, ensuring they are well-equipped to implement the upcoming State Regional Development Strategy effectively.