Rural development opens up new opportunities for business, encourages a more active municipality and helps to plan for the future strategically, whilst adapting to change. Ukraine is gradually seeing the emergence of a new role in local self-government, the rural development officer. This role has been created to coordinate the development of rural areas, facilitate interdepartmental communication, implement local projects and help the municipality adapt to the challenges of today.
For reference. The Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 880 as of 20 August 2025 sets out, in a revised version, the Operational Plan for the Implementation of the Strategy for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Territories in Ukraine for the period up to 2030 in 2025–2027. The Government has set a strategic goal of fostering conditions for the development of rural areas. This includes introducing the post of rural development officer at local level.
To help municipalities effectively introduce this role, U-LEAD with Europe has launched a training programme entitled “Steps for Specialists. Introduction of the Position of Rural Development Officer and Organisation of Their Activities”, which has been successfully completed by 53 local self-government bodies. The programme was more than just theory: participants gained practical knowledge and tools for strategic planning and communication, as well as identified priority areas for their municipalities. For some municipalities, the training has spurred major changes.
For example, Berezan municipality in Mykolaiv Oblast, having completed a training programme, has initiated work on their Municipal Development Strategy, incorporating climate change and environmental sustainability.
“The training prompted us to consider setting up a Business Council, which would include agribusiness representatives. We have stepped up our advisory services to businesses on raising funds for the development of the municipality’s agricultural sector and are discussing the possibility of creating a dedicated post for a rural development officer,” said Svitlana Panchyshyna, a Chief Specialist in the Social and Economic Development and Investment Department of Berezan Settlement Council.
In Kholmy municipality in Chernihiv Oblast, the training helped identify ways to drive development even without a formal commissioner in place. Andrii Oleksienko, a Senior Investment Specialist, explains:
“Growth is possible even in a small municipality. My role already involves implementing projects in various fields, from civil defence to social welfare. The training has given us the tools to coordinate and communicate across departments, which is a key function of the commissioner.”
The municipality of Znob-Novhorodske in Sumy Oblast sets an example of how knowledge can be put into practice straight away. Leonid Sotnikov, the Head of the Department of Finance, Economic Development and Investment, says:
“Our specialist, who has completed the training, has joined the team working on the ‘Agricultural Service 2.0’ project. We plan to set up an independent municipal enterprise and promote the vegetable-growing co-operative initiative. U-LEAD supports us in adapting to challenges and planning for development, even in difficult circumstances.”
These cases highlight that the role of rural development officer presents a genuine opportunity to transform a municipality, improve the effectiveness of strategic planning and mobilise local resources. U-LEAD’s training provides communities with the knowledge, confidence and practical steps needed to ensure that rural development is sustainable and effective.
