More than UAH 15 billion are needed to solve the urgent problems of the mountainous territories of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. The Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast State Administration, together with rayon administrations and rayon councils, as well as local self-government bodies, have projects for implementation within the framework of the State Programme for the Development of the Ukrainian Carpathian Region for 2020-2022.

Recently, a roundtable discussion was held in Ivano-Frankivsk to discuss the prospects of development of mountainous territories of the Ukrainian Carpathians. The event was organised by the Ukrainian Association of Rayon and Oblast Councils within the framework of the activity of the Resource Centre for Sustainable Local Development.

During the event, Zhanna Tabanets, Director of the Economic Development, Industry and Infrastructure Department of the Ivano-Frankivsk OSA, noted that out of all the proposed projects, the total amount of implementation of which exceeds UAH 15 billion, the most important ones will be selected – i.e. those that will contribute most to the development of the Carpathian region, have an economic and social effect, and create conditions for attracting investments.

According to her, the biggest problem in the mountainous areas of the region is poor road infrastructure. Most money is needed to solve this problem. Of course, the oblast lacks its own resources.

Maria Savka, First Deputy Head of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast State Administration, has even proposed to prioritise development of mountainous roads in 2020. “Why to scatter resources? We need to provide a basis for further development,” she said.

In his turn, Ihor Dovirak, head of the Pechenizhynska settlement AH, chairman of the Association of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast AHs, stated that the oblast has an option of solving the problem of at least local roads.

The Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast has a great hope for the development of tourism and tourist infrastructure.

Thus, as far as tourism is concerned, at the expense of the State Programme the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast plans to restore the narrow-gauge railway, construct a ski resort, cultural and art centre, develop tourist clusters, renovate castles and more.

The opening of a checkpoint at the Ukrainian-Romanian border will also increase the flow of tourists from abroad.

Many of the projects presented deal with environmental problems: construction and reconstruction of solid waste landfills, installation of waste sorting and recycling systems, application of flood protection measures, construction and reconstruction of sewage and water purification plants, etc.

Farmer Vasily Stefurak, chairman of the Association of Shepherds of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, suggested that the issue of sheep breeding development should be brought to the state level.

Vasyl Stefurak

 

According to him, the state should create conditions for the mountain and meadow residents who want to keep and develop quality breeds of sheep.

He suggested setting up a sheep breeding revival centre and stated that the programme for this is already in place.

“No one imagines the Carpathian region development without sheep breeding. This is already a certain brand. But, unfortunately, now it is a pain of mountainous areas. And if the state does not help in the development of this sphere, we may lose one of the main symbols of the Carpathians. But it is not just a beautiful symbol – it is employment of people, variety of products for the domestic and foreign markets. Therefore, we need a separate business programme, which will be one of the directions of the State Programme,” reacted to a proposal Vyacheslav Nehoda, First Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine.

 

 

Summing up the event, he noted that the Ministry expects quality projects from the oblast, that will have a multiplier effect, will really develop territories, not just patch holes. “You can repair the roofs, windows and doors yourself. Due to decentralisation, regions and hromadas got resources for this. Choose among your projects those that will truly bring development and need state support. Let them be few, but they must work for the future,” Vyacheslav Nehoda said.

 

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