Inspiring non-EU countries
EU - Ukraine
Both Ukraine and the enlarged European Union face similar challenges of uneven development of the regions, urban development, restructuring of rural areas, rehabilitation of areas affected by industrial decline and natural disasters, like floods and other consequences of global climate change. Regional policy, supporting social and economic development and building up administrative capacity at local and regional levels, is a key asset in meeting these challenges.
Since establishing full independence in 1991 Ukraine has pursued a policy of dismantling the heavily centralised command economy of the Soviet years in favour of giving more responsibility to local and regional government. In recent years it has also moved decisively towards a closer relationship with the European Union which has recognised this movement by encouraging Ukraine's participation in a number of cross border co-operation programmes and involving the country directly in the forthcoming Black Sea Synergy and Danube Strategy programmes. The country has also moved to establish a regional development policy intended to overcome the wide disparities between the relatively isolated northern and eastern provinces up against the Russian border and the wealthier western provinces close to the European Union.
On 22 July 2009 the European Commission and the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction of Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Understanding intended to promote dialogue on regional policy and regional co-operation. The dialogue is an element of the exchanges planned in the context of the Commission's Communication on Eastern Partnership which will promote mutual understanding and enhance bilateral co-operation and the exchange of information on regional policy, address issues of common interest for Ukraine and the European Union and promote regional co-operation between them.
Activities
The parties have established a programme of activities within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding in order to make substantial progress in the exchange of experience between the two sides.
Presence at the Open Days, European Week of Cities and Regions Brussels : The work programme for 2012 once again provides for a high level seminar on EU-Ukraine cooperation to take place during the Open Days in October.
Study visits: Officials from Ukraine are expected to take part in one or more study visits during the course of 2012.
Information sessions: Detailed presentations of aspects of EU cohesion policy of interest to Ukraine will be made for Ukrainian national and regional level officials.
1) Studies: A national level territorial review by the OECD was commissioned and launched in 2010. A regional 'peer review assessment' of economic competitiveness and institutional capacity involving regional development experts from regions within the EU was undertaken in the regions of Chernovtsy and Odessa following a call for proposals. Its main conclusions were as follows:
a) Analysis of Growth Opportunities and Regional Competitiveness: Building on the aforementioned territorial review, a more targeted and comprehensive process would further extend regional development planning efforts. The regions (Chernovtsy and Odessa – although the issue is the same across all regions) desperately require a targeted strategic focus and direction in broad economic development. They also require effective support to assist in the determination of effective opportunities and where best to channel any resources (albeit limited). An effective regional strategy document which is focused on tangible economic development actions is therefore critical.b) Institutional Development: Institutional development to effectively implement regional development is also critical. Currently, no effective coordination body to coordinate the multiple facets of regional development exists in the regions. The bodies involved in regional development represent a wide spectrum of structures (NGO, Oblast Regional Administration, Oblast Councils, Municipalities, individuals). They rarely speak with one voice and appear to be driven by individual self interest of the individual entities (or more correctly the individuals behind these entities). In addition, a significant number of actions related to regional development are driven from the centre, which retains a majority of financial and regulatory control.
2) Study visits: using the same mechanism as for the visits of Chinese officials to EU regions which took place in 2011 two separate study visits for Ukranian officials were organised, in June and November. The first included visits to Germany, Belgium, France Hungary and Poland. The second was, at the request of the Ukrainian authorities, more specifically targeted at the statistical and data gathering needs of officials taking part in the local working group preparing material for tha OECD Territorial Review mentioned above. It included visits to Poland, Austria, Belgium and OECD headquarters in Paris.
Documents
Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a dialogue on regional policy and development of regional co-operation between the ministry of Regional Development and Construction of Ukraine and the European Commission 
Commission Communication on Eastern Partnership 
Report on Peer review study 
Report on first study visit
Links
EU External Relations Ukraine
European Commission Delegation in Ukraine