EU-LEAP project

Project: The “Districts of Opportunity: A Path to Sustainable Community Development”

The EU-LEAP team is implementing a project aimed at researching the economic potential of eight starosta districts within the Poltava City Territorial Community and creating conditions for their sustainable development.

As part of the project, economic profiles will be developed for the Abazivka, Valkivka, Hozhulivka, Kovalevka, Palchykivka, Semyanivka, Suprunivka, and Takhtauivka starosta districts. These will contain up-to-date data on population, employment, local businesses, resources, infrastructure, key challenges, and promising areas for territorial development.

The project also involves identifying three priority economic clusters and conducting training sessions for district residents, including veterans, internally displaced persons, spouses of military personnel, as well as representatives of local craft and entrepreneurial initiatives.

The project “Districts of Opportunity: The Path to Sustainable Community Development” is being implemented as part of the “Phoenix: The Power of Communities” project, carried out by the Eastern Europe Foundation with financial support from the European Union.

Project Materials

Economic profiles of the eight starostate districts of the Poltava City Territorial Community;

SWOT analysis of each district;

Infographics with key indicators, resources, challenges, and opportunities of the territories;

Recommendations on three priority economic clusters with the greatest potential for further development.

Relevance:

Following the incorporation of rural territories into the Poltava City Territorial Community, a significant portion of resources, economic activity, and administrative attention continues to be concentrated in the administrative center. As a result, the starosta districts remain insufficiently integrated into the community’s economic development, and their needs and opportunities are not always fully taken into account during strategic planning.

At the same time, these territories have significant economic potential: land and natural resources, agricultural production, local businesses, craft initiatives, and cultural and tourist attractions. Some entrepreneurial initiatives remain informal or develop without sufficient access to knowledge, financing, marketing tools, and partner support.

The lack of systematic data on the economic and social conditions of the districts complicates local development planning, investment attraction, and the justification of funding for infrastructure and entrepreneurial projects.

Project goal:

To strengthen the role of starosta districts in the development of the Poltava City Territorial Community by researching their economic potential, developing economic profiles, and creating conditions for the entrepreneurial and economic self-realization of residents.

The economic profiles are intended to serve as a practical tool for village heads, the Poltava City Council, local businesses, community initiatives, and potential investors. The collected data can be used in the preparation of strategic documents, local programs, investment proposals, and territorial development projects.

Project objectives:

Collect and systematize demographic, economic, infrastructure, and social data on the eight village council districts.
Conduct working meetings and focus groups with residents, village council heads, local entrepreneurs, and representatives of educational, cultural, and other local institutions.
Prepare a SWOT analysis and economic profile for each village council district.
Identify three priority economic clusters whose development can contribute to job creation, attracting investment, and increasing local budget revenues.
Conduct three training sessions for district residents on business registration and management, the use of marketing tools, and securing grant and donor support.
Present the project results to the Poltava City Council, starostas, local businesses, and the public during a final roundtable discussion.

Expected results:

Economic profiles have been developed for eight starosta districts within the Poltava City Territorial Community.
Three priority economic clusters have been identified for further development and community support.
The needs and opportunities of the starosta districts have been systematized and presented in a format suitable for use in strategic planning and fundraising.
At least 45 residents of the districts have improved their knowledge of starting a business, business management, marketing, and securing grant support.
Cooperation between the starosta districts, the Poltava City Council, local businesses, and civil society has been strengthened.
The groundwork has been laid for the development of local entrepreneurship, the formalization of craft initiatives, job creation, and increased revenue for the local budget.
The investment attractiveness of the rural areas of the Poltava community has been enhanced.