On Nov. 25 Lviv hosted a debate on “Models of cross-border cooperation in the Lviv oblast” within the framework of the project of the European Dialogue NGO supported by the International Renaissance Foundation. Participants of the debate included representative of government, NGOs, experts and journalists from different regions of Ukraine.
On Nov. 25 Lviv hosted a debate on “Models of cross-border cooperation in the Lviv oblast” within the framework of the project of the European Dialogue NGO supported by the International Renaissance Foundation. Participants of the debate included representative of government, NGOs, experts and journalists from different regions of Ukraine.
The Lviv oblast’s cross-border cooperation policy must change because the state and local government are unable to effectively manage it.
A group of experts from European Dialogue analyzed various policy options, including: modernizing current policy, creating a coordinating body through the Association of Local Self-Government Bodies of the Ukrainian Carpathian Euroregion or creating a Cross-Border Cooperation Cluster.
These three models were presented and discussed during the debates.
The following ideas were expressed regarding the policy proposals:
- The most effective option proposed is the modernization of existing policy through the Department for International Cooperation and Tourism of the Lviv Oblast State Administration and strengthening of its capacity and cooperation with other key players in cross-border cooperation.
- Work must begin on a new International Cooperation Program for the Lviv Region 2015-2017 that is connected to the Lviv Development Strategy 2020, Cross-Border Cooperation Strategy of the Lublin Province, Lviv, Volyn and Brest Oblasts 2014-2020 and Poland-Belarus-Ukraine Neighborhood Program 2014-2020.
- Similar discussions should continue. An expert platform should be created for the development of specific documents in the long-term.
The results of the discussion became the basis for the Lviv proposal on reforming regional state policy that will be made by Deputy Head of the Lviv Oblast Council Valeriy Pyatak during the XIV International Economic Forum “Vision 2020: Strategies for Countries, Regions and Business” that will take place in Lviv on Nov. 27.
