28 March, Tulchyn (Vinnytsya Oblast): To solve the problem of solid waste accumulation in Tul’chyn rayon the inter-municipal project on integrated approach to solid waste management is been implementing in the area. It is carried by Tulchyn rayon state administration, Tulchyn rayon council, Tulchyn town council, Suvorivske and Kynashiv village councils and is supported by Swiss-Ukrainian Project “Decentralization Support in Ukraine” and UNDP Project "Municipal Governance and Sustainable Development". In March 2012, an information campaign “Less waste – better life”, aimed at reducing the waste generated in everyday life was launched.

The problem of waste treatment is a priority for many administrative units in Ukraine. In Tulchyn rayon with population of about 55 000 it is crucial. Sanitary situation is worsening in the majority of rayon towns and villages: new dumps are emerging while the landfill is 99 per cent full.

About 30.2 thousand cubic meters of waste is being exported to this landfill, which is located only 1 km from Tulchyn. The landfill was launched in 1990. Its lifetime was calculated for 20 years. Currently it is pretty overloaded. Besides, access roads are too poor.

To deal with landfill overloading related to constantly growing amount of waste they implement the inter-municipal project on solid waste management in Tulchyn rayon. The project is carried by Tulchyn rayon state administration, Tulchyn rayon council, Tulchyn town council, Suvorivske and Kynashiv village councils and is supported by Swiss-Ukrainian Project “Decentralization Support in Ukraine” and UNDP Project "Municipal Governance and Sustainable Development". Swiss Confederation ensures the financial support. 

On 10^th through 14^th January a sociological survey was conducted within target communities. According to survey’s results, which covered 150 inhabitants, 99% respondents are absolutely sure that dumps have negative impact on environment. They also indicated all negative effects. About 50% of multistoried buildings and 90% of private sector inhabitants are ready to sort the waste provided the yards would be equipped with special containers. 

To implement the project, step-by step procedure of integrated solid waste management is implemented in Tulchyn rayon. Rayon population is involved on all project phases. Integrated approach means that decisions are made by steering committee and working group step by step, taking into account the positions of all partners as well as essentials for the project to be successful, sustainable and environmentally friendly both for rayon ecology and economy.

To date, the Report on identifying the alternative options of integrated approach to SWM in Tulchyn target rayon is ready. It will become the basis for Rayon Strategy on SWM as well as the grounds for further Action Plan. It is expected that project implementation will solve the waste challenge in rayon, improve its ecological environment and become the grounds for the model to be disseminated all over Ukraine.

In March the information campaign “Less waste – better life”, aimed at reducing the waste generated in everyday life was launched.  It is aimed at changing the usual everyday behavior of people in favor of a more rational use of resources and reduction of waste through its separate collection.

The campaign will gradually focus people's attention to such ideas as cancelling the disposable plastic packaging, reusing the things, processing of raw materials, the need for pressing and making garbage, composting and other organics.

Information and advocacy meetings related to responsible solid waste management will be conducted within information campaign and with participation of representatives of local administration and self-governing bodies, trade circles, socially responsible business and communities. To raise awareness of schoolchildren on SWM, their teaches will take part in the workshops on approaches to education and training activities related to the topic “Waste” within the course “Lessons for Sustainable Development”. These sessions will take place in all rayon schools. Besides, the thematic billboards, motivational posters, articles in mass media and video on local TV will appear in the covered area. We invite all the inhabitants to join the campaign “Less Waste – Better Life!” For more details, please, visit the web-site of Tulchyn town council (http://tulchyn-rada.org.ua/ ), section “Inter municipal project on integrated approach to solid waste management”. 

 Also, please, contact Mrs. Galyna Smirnova, UNDP specialist on monitoring and external relations. Phone: (044) 584-34-75 and e-mail: galyna.smirnova@undp.org.ua

UNDP Municipal Governance and Sustainable Development Programme was launched in 2004 to consolidate the principles of sustainable development in the cities and towns of Ukraine due to strengthening the local governance and improving the life quality of rural inhabitants all over Ukraine.  The Program is cooperating with communities’ organizations, educational institutions, local NGOs and local self-governing bodies of 24 cities and 5 small towns of Ukraine as well as with other partners working in local public and private sectors and dealing with implementing corresponding mechanisms for sustainable development. Since 2004, 294 local communities’ projects were supported. Their total budget is UAH 33,5 million. The project is funded by Swiss Confederation. For more information, please, visit: http://msdp.undp.org.ua

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is a global UN network working in the sphere of development. It stands for positive changes and provides the countries with access to knowledge, experience and resources for better life all over the world. UNDP cooperates with 177 countries supporting them on their way to solving global and national challenges within human development sphere. While improving their own potential, the countries have an opportunity to use the experience and the knowledge of UNDP staff as well as a wide range of its partners. For more information on UNDP activities, please, visit: http://www.undp.org.ua

On Swiss Cooperation Program in Ukraine. In 1997 Swiss Confederation and Ukraine signed a bilateral Agreement on technical cooperation, within which and for the aim of coordination of cooperation programs, Swiss Cooperation Office was established in Kyiv. Switzerland provides support to Ukraine within following areas: local self-governance and public services, reproductive health, financial and economic stability, sustainable use of energy.  The annual budget of Swiss cooperation with Ukraine is about 14 million Swiss francs. Please, see details on the website: www.swiss-cooperation.admin.ch/ukraine.

Swiss-Ukrainian Project “Decentralization Support in Ukraine” (DESPRO) is supported by Swiss Agncy for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by Swiss Resource Centre and Consultancies for Development (SKAT). It is aimed at optimizing the governance system and promoting the effective local development in Ukraine due to implementation model of decentralized public services. DESPRO operates on national level, AR Crimea, Vinnytsya and Sumy Oblasts.