Information webinar for communities in the Ternopil region

???‘Strengthening community capacity through strategic planning and grant funding in 2026’
✔️On 15 January, the Ternopil regional branch of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, together with the Regional Development Agency in the Ternopil region, held an informational webinar for communities in the Ternopil region.
?The event was attended by representatives of local communities in the region, including Ternopil, Lanivtsi, Nahirnyanska, Velykoberezovytska, Zbarazh, Vasylkivets, Berezhany, Zalishchyky, Terebovlia, Kolyndia, Shumsk, Monastyryska, Saranchukivka, Bilobozhnytsia, Chortkiv, Pidhaitsy, Baikivtsi, Buchach, Kremenets, Zboriv, and Koziv.
?During the webinar, Iryna Skuratko, Director of the Regional Development Agency in the Ternopil region, outlined the Agency’s priorities for 2026 and emphasised its openness to cooperation with communities and partners:
‘In 2026, the Agency has set itself the task of administering the Small Projects Fund (SPF) within the framework of the Interreg NEXT Poland – Ukraine 2021-2027 Programme, which will help communities in the Ternopil region to implement various initiatives in the field of ’ENVIRONMENT”. In addition, we are continuing our work on developing strategic documents, supporting industrial parks, businesses, and more.”
?Ruslan Fronts, Executive Director of the Ternopil Regional Branch of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, spoke about the relevance of the webinar topic, drew attention to the challenges faced by communities in their daily activities, and shared the AUC’s plans for 2026. He also provided a list of resources that communities can follow to find grant and other opportunities.
?Lesya Holoyad, project manager at the Regional Development Agency in the Ternopil region, presented participants in the webinar with a selection of current grant opportunities for communities in 2026. She also emphasised the importance of a strategic approach to project preparation and active interaction between communities and donors and partners:
“For communities, systematic cooperation with the Regional Development Agency means not only access to grant opportunities, but also professional support in analysing needs, formulating investment proposals, preparing project documentation and providing support at all stages – from idea to implementation. In a competitive environment for resources, the communities that work strategically and join forces with development institutions will win.”
?Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, Head of the Department of Management and Administration at the Ivan Pul’uj Ternopil National Technical University, Olena Sokorivska, presented a methodology for aligning local strategies with the updated Development Strategy of the Ternopil Region for 2021–2027. The methodology was developed as a tool for synchronising the efforts of local communities with the overall development vector of the Ternopil region until 2027.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
?During his speech, Volodymyr Pletyuk, Deputy Director of the Regional Development Agency in the Ternopil region, emphasised: “The methodology is advisory in nature. We invite community representatives, where possible, to adhere to the proposed Methodology, as this will determine financial state support and funding from international technical assistance funds, because consistency between regional and local strategies is important.”
ℹ️As a reminder, the Agency is already working with three communities in the region to support strategic planning in communities and, with the support of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), is updating strategic documents in the Velyka Haiivska, Skalatskaya and Zavodskaya communities. Separately, support for at least five communities is planned for 2026.
??The webinar concluded that effective community development in 2026 is possible provided that strategic planning is in place, local initiatives are aligned with regional priorities, and available resources are actively utilised. This approach helps communities strengthen their capacity and opens up new opportunities for regional development.
?Детальніше про захід: https://trvamu.blogspot.com/2026/01/2026.html