Enhancing Slovenian Engagement in Ukraine: Economic and Social Sustainability of Regions and Cities

2024

The project builds upon the ongoing project Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine 2023/2024, which contributes to the process framed by the concept of decentralized reconstruction of Ukraine while also considering the tangible perspective of EU membership and the goals of the Ukraine Plan (2024). This plan, which serves as a prerequisite and benchmark during the implementation of the first pillar of the Ukraine Facility 2024–2027, identifies key reforms to strengthen sustainable economic growth and foreign investment, thereby enhancing Ukraine’s potential for medium- and long-term growth. One of the priority areas is the development of the business environment. The local/regional dimension was highlighted at this year’s Ukraine Recovery Conference, which thematically focused on the economy, among other things.

Slovenia holds a thematic advantage in strengthening local and regional capacities, combining EU accession process experience with regional and local development policy expertise. Slovenian companies, municipalities, development agencies, regional chambers of commerce, and state institutions are well-equipped to transfer best practices and assist Ukrainian partners. There is also scope for these actors to collaborate more cohesively in Ukraine and engage in the reconstruction process.

The project will target representatives of Ukrainian local and regional authorities, development agencies, and relevant ministries who will, through the use of newly acquired knowledge, best practices, and tools, as well as enhanced collaboration with related Slovenian actors, contribute more effectively to key reforms under the framework of the national development strategy. This is aimed at strengthening sustainable development, economic growth, and improving living conditions.

The project will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and best practices from Slovenia in the fields of local and regional development, the functioning of national actors, strengthening entrepreneurship and the economy, international cooperation, and strategic planning. It will also establish connections between Ukrainian and Slovenian representatives from authorities and other relevant organizations. The project will link relevant actors on the Slovenian side, raise awareness of Ukraine’s reconstruction process and its opportunities, and establish an ongoing dialogue between stakeholders from Ukraine and Slovenia focused on agreed objectives and identified opportunities for economic cooperation in the future.

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The project ´Enhancing Slovenian Engagement in Ukraine´ has been developed based on the success and experience of the project Post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine.