Earlier, U-LEAD launched the support programme “Building a Network of Authorised Local Self-Government Officials to Support the Rural Development of Municipalities”. The first seminar discussed the models of supporting rural development in EU countries and changing approaches to the development of rural areas in Ukraine aimed at harmonising them with the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU.
“We are starting as the agricultural season is in full swing. This programme might be a reboot of sorts, one that should pay off. I firmly believe that you will be able to find something new in the well-known concept of rural development, unlock your potential and share your experiences with other municipalities,” said Olena Tomniuk, Deputy Director of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme.
The purpose of the programme is to train professionals — authorised local self-government officials — to support rural development in line with the European concept of rural development and to implement its approaches directly at the municipality level in Ukraine.
The approaches, techniques and tools used in the EU in rural development are different from those used in Ukraine, as U-LEAD expert Tetiana Kharchenko noted:
“In our approach to rural development, the emphasis has always been on agricultural production. But if we consider the tools used in the EU countries, there are other approaches that focus on sustainable development and the direct combination of economic, social and environmental components. In our context, safety situation will obviously be a pain point, because there are different municipalities with certain safety restrictions.”
Today, rural development is being changed as part of active European integration processes in Ukraine. For instance, at the beginning of June this year, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy presented the Draft Strategy for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Territories in Ukraine until 2030. This framework document already follows European approaches with economic, social and environmental components.
“Authorised local self-government officials will be tasked with choosing or reviewing strategic priorities of municipal development in accordance with the requirements of the EU. Otherwise, the municipality will be limited in attracting European funds. These priorities have already been implemented in our national framework, the Draft Strategy for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Territories in Ukraine,” said Tetiana Kharchenko.
These priorities of rural development in municipalities, adapted to EU requirements, are the following:
- Fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas.
- Enhancing farm viability and competitiveness of all types of agricultures and promoting innovative farm technologies and sustainable forest management.
- Promoting food chain organisation, animal welfare and risk management in agriculture.
- Promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift toward a low-carbon and climate resilient economy in the agriculture, food and forestry sectors.
- Restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems related to agriculture and forestry.
- Promoting social inclusion, poverty reductions and economic development in rural areas.
Despite the Common Agricultural Policy, the EU countries build their support for rural development according to different models. U-LEAD expert Alina Brychko talked about them in detail.
First and foremost, this is a state model based on state funding, which is implemented in two different ways: the state university model and the state ministerial model. There is also a private model where support consulting services are provided on a paid basis by private consulting firms. Some EU countries also use a public model based on farmers’ associations and unions, while others base it on the organisations that pay for consulting services from their own funds.
The most common model, according to the expert, is a mixed one that combines elements of all three main models in terms of funding sources. The experience of many developed countries shows the significant role of government support for farmers at the beginning, when rural producers are not yet able to afford the necessary assistance for development. This model works in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.
“Given the war in Ukraine, we will continue discussing how to choose a model for supporting rural development. Next, we will look for a universal model, adapting it to the regional level and to the needs of the municipalities participating in the programme,” said Maksym Chopey, Adviser at the Regional Office of U-LEAD in the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast and moderator of the support programme.