On 28 – 29 November Partners’ Forum of Swiss-Ukrainian Project “Decentralization Support in Ukraine” (DESPRO) took place in Yalta. During the event, DESPRO Second Phase progress was summarized and its main intervention for Third Phase (2013-2017), were outlined, including expansion of thematic areas and geography, as well as an increase of DESPRO cost-sharing contribution in local projects.

In particular, during the Third Phase, besides water supply and solid waste management projects, DESPRO will ensure support to pilot rural sanitation projects and inter-municipal water supply projects. It is assumed that geographically, the Project will cover additional rayons in the target Oblasts. DESPRO is also planning to add one more Oblast. During the Third Phase DESPRO will support larger projects, i.e. those which cover the whole village with water supply services provision.

During the Forum following issues were discussed: application of success stories of DESPRO partners in the sphere of decentralization and local self-governance; integration of decentralized models of services provision into regional development strategy; DESPRO participation in ensuring support to local self-governance reform and administrative and territorial reform in Ukraine.

 

Since 2007 Autonomous Republic of Crimea is DESPRO reliable partner. DESPRO supports local projects on water supply improvement in three rayons, i.e. Bakhchisaraysky, Leninsky and Nyzhniohirsky. Due to fruitful DESPRO cooperation with territorial communities and local power, life conditions of 15 727 peninsula inhabitants were improved (they were provided with qualitative water supply networks) within 6 years of project operation. 

 

It should be mentioned that project “Construction of new water supply network in Frunze village (Nyzhniohirsky, AR Crimea) became the winner of Crimean Action “Success of the Year 2012” (nomination – “Best regional project”).

 

During the Forum, briefing for republic mass media took place. Journalists got acquainted with comments of following persons:

·         Guido Beltrani (Director of Swiss Cooperation Office in Ukraine);

·         Aziz Abdullayev (Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea);

·         Ihor Yahovnyk (Deputy Head of Sumy Oblast State Administration);

·         Oksana Garnets (Senior Swiss-Ukrainian Project “Decentralization Support in Ukraine” (DESPRO) Coordinator in Ukraine).