Ukraine is actively preparing to participate in programs and projects within the Cohesion Policy of the European Union. About this stated Deputy Prime Minister-Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration — Minister of Justice of Ukraine Olga Stefanishyna.
“In addition to the remarkable success of Ukraine in the negotiation process related to the future membership in the EU, I am glad to note that during this year the work in the direction of regional development did not stop. Using regional programs, regional capabilities, we strengthened administrative capacity at the regional level. None of the changes implemented at the state level – whether it is public administration reform, wage reform, anti-corruption reforms, rule of law issues – all these changes are directly related to the development of the regions’ capabilities.” Stefanishyna said.
In order to strengthen regional development and bring Ukraine closer to the European Union at all levels, new positions of deputy heads of regional military administrations for European integration were introduced.
As of today, 18 such officials have been appointed. One of their main tasks is to prepare the regions for the implementation of projects within the framework of EU structural funds after Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. Ukraine has already officially requested access to several structural funds as part of the negotiation process.
“We are actively preparing to participate in programs and projects within the EU Cohesion Policy. In particular, we are talking about one of the largest structural funds of the European Union and, in fact, the main instrument of EU unity, because every community, every region has access to key projects, including the restoration of cultural heritage, infrastructure restoration, climate projects, and many other areas that are adapted to the capabilities and needs of each community. The main task for Ukraine in this context is to prepare for participation in EU structural funds even before official membership. There are already concrete opportunities for this.”Stefanishyna emphasized.
It is, in particular, about involvement in interregional cooperation programs, in which Ukraine already fully participates. These are, in particular, Interreg Europe, URBACT IV, the Danube Regional Program. The “Poland – Ukraine” program already includes 64 projects worth about 60 million euros. 25 projects are implemented within the Black Sea Basin program, 33 in the Danube regional program, and 36 Ukrainian organizations participating in 29 initiatives are involved in Interreg Europe projects.
In addition, the qualification of civil servants at the regional and local levels in the field of European integration continues. In particular, they undergo online training developed in cooperation with the College of Europe in Natolin.
