The municipality of Kamianske, Zakarpattia Oblast, encompasses several picturesque villages where agricultural traditions, new business initiatives, and active community life are closely intertwined. People here value personal integrity and mutual support, and they see municipal development as a shared responsibility.
However, the municipality’s path was not easy: it was formed amidst constant crises. First, COVID, then the full-scale invasion, followed by limited funding and staff shortages. Rather than becoming discouraged and giving up, the municipality keeps moving forward and growing. All because they have a strategy and a team and foster an open approach to businesses.
“What matters most is that people can find work and earn a decent living at home. We strive to make the municipality so attractive that people want to come and stay here,” says Kamianske Mayor Mykhailo Stanynets.
This vision is not just lip service: in just a few years, Kamianske has gone from being a backwater to a municipality that is building an industrial zone, developing social services and forming partnerships in Ukraine and abroad.
Strategy as a starting point
Right from the first days of the municipality’s establishment in 2019, they decided to start with the most important thing — developing a strategy for growth. The U-LEAD with Europe Programme extended their support. Residents and local experts were involved in the efforts.
“Despite COVID and the war, we managed to accomplish much of what we had planned. Formally speaking, about half, but if you look at the changes in the municipality over the years, the contrast is immense,” recalls Mariana Stanynets, the Deputy Mayor for Development.
The first document identified key areas such as creating an industrial park, developing logistics, supporting small businesses and constructing social infrastructure. Some of the plans had to be adjusted, but the overall logic remained the same: Kamianske municipality is focusing on the economy and high-quality services for people.
“Kamianske municipality is a prime example of how the synergy of leadership, strategy and partnerships opens up a window of new opportunities for people. Here, every initiative and every project has a practical benefit for residents, from creating new jobs to high-quality social services and infrastructure development. The secret to success is consistent focus on results, openness to innovation and public participation in decision-making. This is what contributes to the modern European model of local development,” says Pavlo Logvinov, the Head of the Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in Zakarpattia Oblast.
Business and Industrial Zone
One of the biggest challenges was the idea of an industrial park. The municipality developed a concept, but the full-scale invasion swayed investors’ minds.
“We needed to adapt quickly. So, the park registration issue has been put on hold for now, but this has not prevented us from cooperating with businesses: We have been trying our best to encourage them and negotiating. The response was immediate — companies started buying up land and building their facilities even before the industrial park was officially established,” explains Kamianske Mayor Mykhailo Stanynets.
Thus, instead of one large project, an industrial zone is gradually shaping up. Of the 50 hectares planned, more than 10 have already been purchased and are being developed. A brick factory is operating and growing in Midianytsia, and a modular house panel manufacturing plant is being built in Dunkovytsia; a Lviv-based industrial company is moving in. Local entrepreneurs are also setting up their production and logistics areas.
The municipality attributes its success to the simplicity of its rules: transparent conditions, quick resolution of issues, no red tape.
“[Businesses] come to us because our decisions are made based on common sense rather than political games. If there is a problem, we sit down and solve it. Businesses sense trust, which is exactly what attracts them to this kind of place,” says the mayor of the municipality.
In addition, the municipality is preparing a new solution, the introduction of a zero land tax rate for businesses. This will be an additional incentive to attract new companies.
Investment passport
Another key tool for development is an investment passport. Kamianske had started working on it even before the war. The municipality prepared the first version of the passport independently, but the approval process was delayed due to martial law and a change in priorities.
“We already have an investment passport available as a booklet. It is focused on two areas, logistics and agricultural production, particularly produce storage. This is what the region lacks: neighbouring municipalities are cultivating crops, but there are no warehouses or storage facilities. We are ready to provide them,” says Mariana Stanynets.
The investment passport for the Kamianske municipality has become an important tool in working with potential investors, donors and grant programmes. It was also developed with the consulting support of U-LEAD with Europe. The document has become a sort of business card showcasing the municipality’s capabilities: land resources and the team’s readiness to support projects and create a favourable environment for business development.
Social infrastructure for residents
Economic growth goes hand in hand with caring for people. The municipality of Kamianske has established several important institutions that have become points of support for its residents.
There is a veterans’ space here, where former military personnel can receive consultations, support and simply a place to socialise. There is a youth centre that serves as a venue for initiatives and events. The Administrative Services Centre issues up to a thousand passports a month, and people even come here from neighbouring municipalities.
“You come in and receive a service within a few minutes. You can also get a coffee and a smile. This is also an approach that we have built,” says Mykhailo Stanynets.
In education, the municipality has focused on consolidating the network. The under-enrolled school with only a few pupils was closed, and its resources were redirected to stronger institutions. The plans include modernising bomb shelters and building a new sports centre with a swimming pool. This approach enables a more modern environment to be created and the quality of education to be improved.
People as the main resource
The staff shortage remains a challenge for the municipality. Many professionals have moved abroad. In this situation, Kamianske decided to rely on young people.
There is a shortage of young professionals in municipalities, so Kamianske chose to take proactive measures: while still studying at higher education institutions (colleges, vocational schools, etc.), students are introduced to how local self-government bodies work.
“It is almost impossible to find a qualified specialist today. Therefore, we start working with young people while they are still studying. We offer them a chance to try their hand at something new, gain initial experience, and, most importantly, show them that it is possible to earn a living and grow within the municipality without seeking happiness abroad,” says Mykhailo Stanynets.
This approach solves two problems at once, gradually building a team of future managers while addressing staff shortages. The mayor of the municipality emphasises the importance of team spirit: “We have a very strong team. These are people who take on a task and see it through to the end. They share a sense of personal integrity and a commitment to working for the people rather than for appearances,” says Mykhailo Stanynets.
Inter-municipal cooperation and European partners
Another area where the municipality is seeking opportunities is partnerships. Domestically, Kamianske is actively discussing inter-municipal cooperation with the support of U-LEAD with Europe. Among the potential projects is a Safety Centre that will also serve several neighbouring territories. Moreover, the municipality is trying to get bike paths built that would connect a few neighbourhoods and be safe routes for kids and young people.
At the same time, the municipality is developing international ties. Supported by U-LEAD with Europe as part of the Bridges of Trust initiative, Kamianske has established a partnership with a French municipality. The first step was humanitarian aid, and the next step is to arrange for the rehabilitation of the municipality’s children in France. Negotiations and agreements on this project are currently underway.
“For us, this partnership is important not only because of specific projects. It opens the gateway for sharing experiences in education, public utilities and social services. We have seen that our French counterparts are willing to share their practices, and we, in turn, can show how our municipality is developing even in difficult conditions,” says Mariana Stanynets.
Despite the wartime hardships, cooperation is ongoing, and the municipality is preparing new initiatives together with its partners.
“European integration is not just a political course, but a tool for municipal development that is based, among other things, on partnership and transparency. International cooperation gives municipalities access to both financial resources and innovative ideas and practices, as well as the opportunity to implement European standards that promote municipal development. Introducing these innovative approaches enables municipalities to reach a new level of self-governance and sustainable development. Kamianske exemplifies how transparency and cooperation with European partners can generate tangible opportunities for development and improve the quality of life for each of its residents. The municipality holds a proactive stance and is ready to implement best European practices, and international partnerships and support from U-LEAD will definitely help them to achieve this,” says Mykola Siusko, the Deputy Head of the Regional Operations Unit at U-LEAD with Europe.
