Social Projects’ Competition “Fair of Ideas – 2001” Took Place in Dnipropetrovsk
On 7th October first Oblast call for projects “Fair of Ideas” took place in Dnipropetrovsk. It was aimed at attracting social investments to the region and developing cooperation between territorial communities and international charitable foundations for territorial development.
Representatives of all Dnipropetrovsk Oblast rayons, towns and villages, heads of international charitable foundations and organizations, embassies as well as Mr. Oleksandr Vilkul, the governor, Mr. Yevhen Udod, head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Council, Mr. Vyacheslav Tolkovanov, head of National Agency for State Service took part in it.
“Regional government pays special attention to promoting interregional and international cooperation, including collaboration with charitable and donor organizations”, - said Oleksandr Vilkul, head of Oblast State Administration.
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast governor stressed the interest in creation of International foundations’ Representatives in the region: “We are ready to provide premises and human resources. We have pretty active young people able to think and act in a European manner”.
Head of Oblast State Administration also called for identifying, in line with “Fair of Ideas” results, the territories that demonstrated the most responsible and professional attitude to their projects’ development: “While budgeting for 2012, they will obtain additional funds for development. Best communities deserve support of their initiatives”.
Oleksandr Vilkul thanked Yevhen Udod, head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Council for initiating “Fair of Ideas” and methodical assistance been provided to local communities and NGOs while preparing the event.
According to head of Oblast Council opinion, “Fair of Ideas” will become the next step to achieving the new social standards and building effective economy in the region:
“It is impossible to overestimate the role of territorial communities in the sphere.
It is on the level of, so to speak, state foundation we are to succeed in modernization of the country”.
238 community organizations were created within territorial Oblast communities to ensure qualitative and effective cooperation between territorial communities and foundations. Resource Centre operates under Oblast Association of local self-government bodies. Its experts help the communities while developing the projects.
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast is already the first one both by the number of projects submitted to All-Ukrainian competition of local self-government projects and programs and by projects, the winners. It is also the leader both by territorial communities’ development rate and by amount of investments into economic and social spheres. Direct foreign investments into Oblast economy amount for about USD 8 milliards. It is the best index in Ukraine.
Activities on attracting social investments have become much more active. Within the year 5 Memoranda on cooperation with international organizations have been signed. It made possible to allocate additional funds for dozens objects of social sphere – kindergartens, schools, hospitals, clinics, energy-saving technologies and revival of rural “culture houses” and museums.
According to Yevhen Udod words, “Fair of Ideas” is an example of implementing European approach to local challenges solution. Such cooperation provides new possibilities for attracting additional investments into development of Oblast villages’, towns’ and cities’ social sphere.
35 Oblast towns/cities and rayons presented more than 200 projects at the Fair. Proposed for development topics included energy-saving technologies, water and gas supply of settlements, creating landfills, solid waste recycling, landscaping the parks, restoration of historic buildings, revival of rural clubs and libraries, creating the cultural centres, development of livestock, etc. All these topics are the most actual for local communities.
Potential investors and donors representing the post powerful donor organizations acting in Ukraine, representatives of embassies and experts had an opportunity to get acquainted with all spectrum of projects being planned for implementation as well as to identify the projects they will support.
Yevhen Udod expressed confidence in the fact that Fair of Ideas will create real opportunities for large-scale attraction of social investments into the region:
“All the projects are presented at a high level. I am sure that donors will assess them adequately and support. We are grateful to all donor organizations that took part in Fair of Ideas. It is very important for us. I am confident that each participant will find partners for cooperation and joint implementation of serious multi planned tasks aimed at territorial communities’ development”.
Best projects of Oblast competition “Fair of Ideas” obtained the diplomas of winners. In case if donor organizations support them, they will receive additional funding from Oblast budget to impellent the projects.
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Council, Public Relations and Press Centre