Experts from U-LEAD with Europe assisted the municipality in updating this strategically important document. Liudmyla Harkava, the Head of the Department of Economy, Finance, Taxation and Investment at Buryn City Council, spoke about the process of developing the strategy.
Road to the update: from 2011 to the present day
Buryn’s strategic planning process began back in 2011, and the new document was drawn up in 2019. However, in recent years, the situation in the country has changed dramatically: from the COVID-19 pandemic to the outbreak of the full-scale invasion. That is what led to an urgent need to align local priorities with national policy and the new challenges to safety.
Efforts to update them were initiated in 2021. Initially, the municipality had hoped to manage on its own, but the complexity of the new challenges forced it to seek professional expert support.
“We recognised that we would not be able to produce a high-quality document on our own, so we sought support. The turning point came when our municipality joined the specialised training programme offered by U-LEAD with Europe,” says Liudmyla Harkava, the Head of the Department.
Ms Harkava emphasised that it was a comprehensive task, from start to finish. In 2025, the municipality went through the entire process, including strategic sessions, face-to-face discussions, public consultations, the development of an action plan and the strategic environmental impact assessment:
“This isn’t about updating paperwork; it’s about planning for the future. In other words, it isn’t a formality, but a fundamental redesign of the document to reflect new circumstances relating to safety and security”.
Development priorities: What will Buryn look like in the coming years?
The updated strategy is underpinned by a commitment to building an economically viable and safe municipality where every resident feels cared for, says Liudmyla Harkava. The main focus will be on three key priorities.
The first priority is a revitalised and thriving municipality. Buryn City Council intends to become a hub of opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses. This will be made possible by building modern infrastructure and supporting local businesses.
Within this direction, there are also plans to introduce high-quality spatial planning. This involves up-to-date urban planning and land-use documentation, which will establish clear and transparent rules for investors. A separate focus is placed on attracting investment by fostering a positive image of the municipality, establishing international partnerships and developing specific reconstruction projects.
“Our aim is for people to stay at home, keep their jobs and feel optimistic about the future, even during the war. That is why supporting small businesses and creating jobs is our guiding principle,” says the head of the department.
Buryn also aims to build a comfortable, safe and environmentally friendly municipality — the second priority outlined in the Strategy. The municipality will focus on strengthening defence capabilities and civil protection, from supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine to arranging reliable bomb shelters in schools and hospitals. This should be accompanied by a large-scale modernisation of public infrastructure, with a focus on energy self-sufficiency, the upgrading of water supply systems and the introduction of alternative energy sources.
Sustainable development and accessibility are key to this. Liudmyla Harkava shares their plans to improve the waste management system, create recreational areas and raise residents’ environmental awareness. The ultimate goal is to create an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their level of mobility, has equal access to all services and public spaces within the municipality.
The third, equally important priority is developing human capital:
“We will work to ensure equal access to education, modernise school meals and promote culture and sport. We are focusing in particular on accessible healthcare, mental health and comprehensive support for veterans, their families and internally displaced persons,” states the head of the department.
She believes that the municipality must also become digital and transparent. Online services and transparent administration will make life easier for residents, whilst actively involving young people in municipal processes will strengthen the relationship between the authorities and the municipality:
“People are our greatest asset,” emphasises Liudmyla Harkava. “That is why we have made the development of modern healthcare, high-quality education and support for young people central to our strategy. We aim to build a municipality where people want to live, rather than just wait out hard times”.
What makes updating the strategy so important right now?
Although updating these strategies is a legal requirement, the main reason for the changes is the realities of the war and Ukraine’s path towards EU accession. This is the belief of Hryhorii Starykov, the Adviser on Recovery and Development at the Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in Sumy Oblast:
“Today, strategy is not about figures; rather, it is a tool for securing state funding and international aid. The point of planning is to translate numbers into people. A development strategy is a document that recognises all residents and their needs. Going forward, it will also facilitate the transition to a systematic recovery, even in challenging situations in terms of safety”.
