The visit programme began with a meeting in Khmelnytskyi municipality, where delegations from Sumy Oblast discussed the municipality’s approaches and practices in strategic planning, project activities and infrastructure initiatives that are key to sustainable development. The local Development Agency shared their experience in implementing ideas that help municipalities grow, and the participants discussed how these approaches can be adapted in their own context. Support for veterans was an equally important topic: the delegation visited the Veterans’ Space to see how the municipality facilitates the integration of defenders into civilian life.
“Today, the municipalities of Sumy Oblast are going through extremely difficult times. And yet, they are fighting, working and growing. We talked about projects, prospects and the tasks facing municipalities in wartime. We are delighted to become a platform for sharing experiences,” said Mykola Vavryshchuk, Khmelnytskyi Deputy Mayor.
Further meetings took place in municipalities that serve as examples proving that partnership is the best development strategy. In the municipality of Stara Ushytsia, the visitors saw how the cooperation between authorities, businesses and the public opens up new opportunities. A prime example of this is Prudivus family business, which has been growing medicinal herbs in Podilski Tovtry National Park for almost half a century. Here, eco-friendly production and tourist appeal go hand in hand, and preserving traditions is complemented by a modern approach to business.
Another location that inspired the guests was Bakota Hub in the village of Horaivka. What used to be a school is now an art residency, a space for veterans to recover, and a tourist hostel. The project was created in partnership with NGO Terytoriia as well as local authorities. Here, programmes are in place to rehabilitate veterans as well as support and develop internally displaced persons and local residents.
“When a community has an active cultural centre, it has a future. This space attracts young people, engages the local community, works to preserve cultural landmarks, supports local entrepreneurs and creates new opportunities for the development of tourism and businesses. Cultural centres become meeting places where people build trust and develop new ideas," said Andrii Zakharko, the Director of the Tourist Information Centre of Stara Ushytsia municipality.
“Not only are these visits an opportunity to share our own experiences, they also provide a chance to learn from each other. Each municipality has its own unique solutions, and exchanging ideas helps us grow and move forward even in difficult times,” said Anatolii Tymchuk, the Head of Stara Ushytsia Village Council.
Equally insightful for the visitors was the experience of the municipality of Teofipol, where the local team integrates youth initiatives, entrepreneurship and innovative approaches to management. Here, digitalisation and the principle of “Municipality in a Smartphone” are being actively developed, engaging residents in decision-making. The delegation visited BiblioHub, a multimedia space where schoolchildren implement social entrepreneurship projects, as well as TeofipolLisVod’s greenhouses, home to the Vegetable Development Hub. In addition, the municipality has created the first municipal plantation of miscanthus in Ukraine. Miscanthus, or silvergrass, is a plant that purifies water and soil and can be used to produce pellets.
“It is a great honour for us to host our colleagues from Sumy Oblast in Teofipol. This kind of events do not just mean formal visits, but a real exchange of experience and inspiration. We are grateful to U-LEAD and our colleagues from Sumy Oblast for their interest and open dialogue. These meetings give rise to new partnerships, ideas and joint projects that strengthen municipalities throughout Ukraine,” said Mykhailo Tenenev, the Head of Teofipol Settlement Council.
The visit provided an opportunity for municipal officials to observe best practices and learn that shared challenges bring people together. The municipalities that hosted the delegation shared their own experiences, and the visitors from Sumy Oblast left with not only new knowledge, but also inspiration for further change.
“I am very grateful to U-LEAD for their support. They have been with us since the very creation of the municipality, helping us develop to this day. The visit highlighted leading municipalities that openly share their experiences, generate ideas and attract resources — this is highly inspirational. My colleagues and I are already discussing ideas that we plan to implement, including the development of schools and greenhouses. I am also interested in the experience of creating an art hub,” shared Inna Dybchynska, the Head of Andriiashivka Village Council.
“These meetings are crucial, as they allow us to see how our colleagues solve similar challenges, what tools they use to attract resources and develop the municipality. We are coming back with new ideas to be introduced to our municipality,” said Viktor Boroshnev, the Head of Bochechky Village Council.
U-LEAD with Europe is committed to supporting Ukrainian municipalities in strengthening their capacity, developing partnerships and sharing best practices that help rebuild the country through capable and active municipalities that are open to cooperation.
