Participation of the team of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi municipality of the Odesa region in the training courses of U-LEAD with Europe resulted in new initiatives in cooperation with entrepreneurs. For the second year in a row, municipal officials are participating in the Business-Friendly Municipality initiative. Yuliia Molodozhen, Head of the Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in the Odesa region, told us about it.
“In October-December 2022, two municipalities of the Odesa region, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi and Serhiivka, took part in the Business-Friendly Municipality training course. At seminars and workshops, municipal teams learned how to establish effective cooperation with businesses to develop the local economy, which is even more important in wartime in terms of post-war recovery prospects,” said Yuliia Molodozhen.
The training participants learned about the tools of business support, entrepreneurship development and investment attraction, which of them are still relevant now in conditions of war, and which should not be used. Attracting funding (loans from international financial organisations, grants from donors, state programs, etc.) and the ability to combine different sources of funding to achieve municipal goals were discussed in detail.
“Steps for Specialists. A Business-Friendly Municipality” is a comprehensive training course. The participants got homework, which was further transformed into project ideas. Each module consists of seminars and workshops, interspersed with consultations to develop these project ideas.
According to Olha Tsipulenko, Director of the Department of Economy and Infrastructure Development of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi City Council, her team worked on the project of creating a fair square in the municipality.
“Our municipality does not have a special place for holding fairs, so we have to use different locations. We plan to create a stationary square equipped with special kiosks and shopping stalls in the centre of the city. Local craftspeople and entrepreneurs will be able to sell their products here. There will also be coffee, tea and treats,” said Olha Tsipulenko.
In fact, this fairground is part of the implementation of the Municipal Entrepreneurship Support Programme developed by the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Council in 2021 with the help of U-LEAD’s experts. Another outcome of participation in the Business-Friendly Municipality 2021 initiative was the Business Matters Project implemented by the municipality jointly with Blahodiia NGO with the support of U-LEAD. This project included Business over Coffee with Authorities meetings, training workshops and consultations for entrepreneurs, etc.
“Local businesses are happy with the results of the meetings and ready to participate in similar events. The meetings took place in an informal setting, so representatives of government and business could discuss problems, proposals for improving the business environment in the municipality, exchange experience, etc.,” said the director of the Department.