Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) play a key role in regional economic development and investment attraction. Not only do they help communities implement strategic initiatives, they also facilitate international cooperation, create new opportunities for small businesses, and promote innovation.
Decentralisation.gov.ua continues its series of interviews with the RDA heads, in which we have already spoken to representatives of the Sumy and Vinnytsia regions. This time we talk to Orest Sorokopud, Director of the Volyn Regional Development Agency.
The Volyn region has significant potential for economic growth: cross-border logistics, agriculture, green energy and tourism offer ample opportunities for attracting investment. Meanwhile, cooperation with international partners is important, particularly through the Swiss-Ukrainian project ‘Ukraine’s Cohesion & Regional Development’ (UCORD), which is helping to strengthen the RDA’s institutional capacity and support local initiatives.
In this interview, Orest Sorokopud explains how the Volyn Regional Development Agency contributes to the economic development of the region, what opportunities cooperation with UCORD opens up, and what strategic initiatives are already being implemented to improve the investment climate of the region.
The Volyn region has a lot of potential and many unique resources. What do you see as the most promising opportunities for the development of the region and how does the Regional Development Agency help to implement them?
Orest Sorokopud, Director of the Volyn RDA, at the International Forum of Community Development Institutions in Rivne
The Volyn region has significant development potential due to its favourable geographical location, natural resources and economic opportunities. One of the key areas is cross-border cooperation and logistics, which enable the region to become an important hub for international trade.
The agricultural sector also plays an important role: fertile land, investment in processing, storage of the cultivated crops, and organic farming increase the competitiveness of local producers. Green energy, including solar and wind projects, contributes to energy independence and investment.
Tourism is another promising industry. Volyn’s picturesque nature, clean air and small number of towns offer great potential for the development of safe recreational tourism in the near future. In my opinion, this will facilitate a faster return to a peaceful life for the defenders and their families, which will be in great demand in the coming decades.
An important area of the Volyn Regional Development Agency’s work is to provide multi-directional support for the development of tourism-related industries – small and medium-sized enterprises, farms, hotel and restaurant complexes of various types – through grant programmes and innovation clusters. The Agency is a key tool in realising these opportunities. We also work to attract investment, develop and promote projects in the fields of economy, education, medicine, cross-border cooperation, to mention a few.
In addition, we are actively involved in the process of updating the Volyn Region Development Strategy until 2027 and are ready to participate in its further implementation as soon as it is approved. Together with other participants of the regional strategic planning process, we are already beginning to develop an Action Plan for the implementation of the Volyn Regional Development Strategy.
Another important activity of the Volyn RDA is to support entrepreneurship and innovation. We advise entrepreneurs, create platforms for sharing experience and best practices, organise training and implement grant programmes. We also promote international cooperation by actively participating in European development programmes, which opens up new opportunities for attracting funding and best practices.
We are gradually becoming a platform that attracts, unites and directs the efforts of local authorities, communities, businesses and the public sector to support the development of the region. The first years of our work have shown that different stakeholders are willing to work with us, that they trust us and that together we can implement important initiatives.
What strategic initiatives are currently being implemented as part of the development of the Volyn region? And how do you assess their effectiveness for the long-term development of the region?
Several important strategic initiatives are currently being implemented in the Volyn region: transport infrastructure is being updated to improve cross-border logistics, green energy is being developed, and small businesses are being supported. The first results are already visible: investment activity is growing, new jobs are being created, and local businesses have more export opportunities. Attention is also being paid to the development of tourism. Overall, these initiatives are laying a solid foundation for the region’s long-term development.
Working meeting of representatives of Lutsk Rayon Council with the leadership of the Volyn Regional Development Agency
You have identified tourism as a promising area for development. How do you intend to develop this sector?
The Volyn region really has great tourist potential. We have incredible scenery (the Shatsk Lakes, national parks, forests with recreational areas, the river system), a rich historical heritage (the cities of Volodymyr, Lutsk, and others), and interesting places for active recreation in all communities. And our agency plans to help make these treasures accessible and attractive to tourists, and at the same time profitable for local entrepreneurs. To this end, we promote the development of inter-municipal and cross-sectoral tourist routes that combine cultural and natural heritage sites.
One of our main tasks is also to establish high quality communication between authorities, communities and businesses to create a common vision for the development of tourism infrastructure. Only through close cooperation can a truly competitive tourism product be created.
We also support entrepreneurs who want to invest in tourism: we help them find grants, gain support from international donors or government programmes.
A separate area is the promotion of the Volyn region. Our aim is to make it recognisable not only in Ukraine, but also abroad. That is why we are working on creating a strong tourism brand and looking for partners abroad.
Most importantly, we want Volyn to become a place where tourists come for unique experiences, come back and spend money. We have a chance to turn the region into a modern tourist centre, where nature, history, and quality services are harmoniously combined. And we are working on it!
Director at the roundtable ‘Multilevel System of Strategic Planning of State Policy: International Experience and Opportunities for Ukraine’ held in Kyiv
What innovative approaches are you using to develop inter-municipal cooperation in the region? How do you see the role of the Agency in strengthening partnerships between communities and local authorities?
Inter-municipal cooperation in the Volyn region is a great opportunity for community development. And for it to be effective, the use of modern, innovative approaches is essential. Communities can pool resources and jointly implement projects that would be difficult or financially unaffordable on their own. Communities often face the problem of lack of funds, but by banding together they can increase their chances of receiving international grants. Another idea is to create an inter-municipal development fund that would pool resources for joint initiatives.
We can act as an intermediary between communities to establish inter-municipal cooperation, but we can also help find funding and provide analytical and expert support. For example, if a community has an idea but does not know how to realise it, we can help find partners, develop a project application, or even attract investors. We also organise forums, strategy sessions and consultations to help communities interact better and find new ways to work together.
The innovative cluster approach, which promotes inter-municipal cooperation by creating links between companies, research and educational institutions, local authorities and communities that are geographically close and industry-related, is also highly effective. This allows for the creation of added value and the formation of sustainable value chains that enhance the competitiveness of the region. The Agency’s role in this process is key, as we act as a communication platform, ensuring constructive interaction between local authorities, businesses, education and research institutions and the public sector.
For example, as part of the Clusters4Regions initiative, which is being implemented at the request of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine with the support of the UCORD project, our agency, together with the Ukrainian Cluster Alliance, is planning to implement a number of measures aimed at clustering the Volyn economy. In particular, this initiative will contribute to the development of a regional cluster programme based on the strengths of the Volyn region. Several economically active clusters will be created and supported in our region. One of the RDA’s tasks in the process of implementing Clusters4Regions will be to ensure that these clusters are connected to wider networks and that their activities are aligned with regional and national strategies.
Digitalisation also has huge potential, as it is not just a modern trend, but a real opportunity to make life in communities more comfortable. Creating a single online platform for information exchange will greatly simplify communication between residents, businesses and authorities. Administrative issues will be resolved faster, and process automation will help save money. Smart technologies in areas such as energy conservation or public safety will enable communities to work more efficiently and optimise their resources.
In particular, the prospects for the digital transformation of communities and piloting the idea of creating digital competence centres based on regional development agencies were discussed recently in Kyiv during a strategic session organised by the EGAP programme. Together with colleagues from other regional development agencies, representatives of ministries and partners from the UCORD project, we explored ways to effectively digitise regions and how regional development agencies can become the driving force behind this process.
The Volyn RDA’s team helping organise the visit of Vinnytsia entrepreneurs and the Vinnytsia RDA as part of a project to share knowledge and experience between organisations in the Volyn and Vinnytsia regions
What is the impact of cooperation with international donors on the development of the Volyn region? What concrete results have already been achieved through this partnership?
Cooperation with international partners, in particular with the Swiss-Ukrainian project ‘Ukraine’s Cohesion & Regional Development’ (UCORD), is important for the development of our agency and the Volyn region as a whole. Thanks to the UCORD project, our agency has been able to expand its team, strengthen its expertise, improve the professional level of the team through participation in training, working visits and exchange of experience, and much more, which help us to strengthen our capacity as an institution. Now we can systematically help communities, attract investment, support businesses and work to develop social cohesion through culture and creative industries, support cluster initiatives and develop sustainable environmental projects related to water supply, sanitation and waste management. In other words, the UCORD does not just provide funding, but helps to build systemic work.
Volyn RDA is one of the six pilot agencies in this project and our cooperation with the UCORD is for two years with a possible extension for another four years.
In addition, as part of our cooperation with the UCORD, we are implementing activities aimed at supporting municipalities and public utilities in inter-municipal, cross-sectoral and international activities, as well as in the drafting of development strategies.
One of the significant results of the cooperation between the Volyn region and the UCORD is the possibility of obtaining grants in the field of health care. The Volyn Regional Development Agency is already working in this direction: we have hired an external expert to join our team to help medical institutions prepare high-quality grant applications. Together with this expert, we organised a webinar to teach representatives of medical institutions in the region how to prepare high-quality applications for funding from the Programme Kusanone offered by the Government of Japan. As a result of this activity, three medical institutions prepared and submitted applications to participate in the programme, and we are now awaiting a positive decision. This is another step towards improving medical services in the region with international support.
Orest Sorokopud, Director of the Volyn RDA, at the national forum ‘Strategic Planning at the Regional Level: From Recovery to Development’ held in Kyiv
Human capital development is an important consideration. How does the Agency help to improve the skills of local staff and support professional development in communities?
We know that community development starts with people, so one of the key aspects of the Agency’s work is to improve the skills of local staff and support their professional development. Thanks to the support of the UCORD project, the Agency’s institutional capacity has been strengthened, allowing it to engage external experts in various fields.
For example, we organised a project management school for communities to train community representatives to develop, plan, and implement projects at the local level. In addition, representatives of public utilities were trained in grant writing to help them better navigate international funding opportunities and attract resources for the development of their organisations. We also invited highly specialised experts to help departments of the regional military administration improve their performance.
One of the most prominent examples of our training activities was the Volyn Project Incubator, where we taught local leaders how to work with ideas – from conceiving a plan to writing a full funding application. Participants gained practical skills that will help them find partners, co-operate with other organisations and implement their projects effectively.
Such initiatives help local specialists not only to develop their own competences, but also to be useful to their communities by creating new opportunities for the development of the region.
Director at a strategic session dedicated to the creation of Digital Competence Centres on the basis of Regional Development Agencies
Given the current European integration processes, how do you assess the role of regional strategies in preparing the Volyn region for integration into European economic and political structures?
Regional strategies are crucial for preparing the Volyn region for integration into European economic and political structures. These strategies help to identify regional development priorities, taking into account the specifics and potential of the region, which is very important for successful adaptation to European standards and requirements.
Firstly, regional strategies contribute to the efficient use of resources. They allow funds to be directed to the development of the most promising areas for the region. This increases Volyn’s competitiveness on the European market.
Secondly, regional strategies contribute to the development of local self-government and the strengthening of civil society. Involving the public in the development and implementation of strategies helps to build responsible and effective governance, which is an important element of European integration.
Thirdly, the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders in the strategic planning process and the subsequent implementation of these plans increases the level of cohesion in society and strengthens residents’ trust in the authorities.
Finally, regional strategies are an important tool for ensuring the sustainable development of the region, with a clear understanding of the role of individual communities and the public sector in solving local problems. They help to integrate environmental aspects and contribute to the preservation of the region’s cultural heritage, which is important in the European context.
Volyn RDA and the Medical Centre for Rehabilitation of Servicemen of the Lutsk City Territorial Community signing a memorandum of cooperation in the field of project activities
What specific projects is the Agency implementing to improve the environmental situation in the region, particularly in the area of solid waste management?
The National Waste Management Plan until 2033 has recently been approved, which means that we need to update our regional waste management plan. To this end, a working group has already been created, which includes representatives of the Ukrainian Cluster Alliance, the Cluster in the Circular Economy, the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Volyn Regional State Administration, and the Standing Committee on Ecology and Rational Use of Natural Resources of the Volyn Regional Council.
Our agency will also be actively involved in updating the Volyn Region Waste Management Plan. In addition, thanks to our partnership with the UCORD, we are planning to provide comprehensive support to the Volyn Regional Military Administration in the development of this document by engaging an external expert in this field. The Agency will also help to ensure the participation of communities and environmental organisations in this process. To this end, we plan to hold several working meetings with their participation.
We hope that, together with our partners, we will create an effective waste management system that not only minimises the negative impact on the environment, but also contributes to the sustainable development of the region and improves the quality of life of its inhabitants.
Signing a memorandum of cooperation by the Volyn RDA and the Volyn Economic League within the framework of the project ‘Volyn Business: Development of a Regional Brand for Economic Growth of Micro, Small and Medium Businesses’
How do you assess the role of cultural and creative industries in the development of the Volyn region? What steps does the Agency take to promote local culture and support cultural initiatives?
Cultural and creative industries play an important role in the development of the Volyn region. They help not only to preserve our historical heritage, but also to create new economic opportunities, attract tourists and improve the quality of life of local residents. Volyn, with its rich history, unique attractions and creative potential, can become a real centre of cultural and creative business in Ukraine.
I believe that the cultural and creative industries have the potential to become key sectors for budget formation in the future, as they contribute to job creation and investment. For example, the development of festivals, souvenir production, music and art projects are already generating revenue for the region. In addition, cultural events such as festivals, exhibitions, theatre performances and historical monuments such as Lutsk Castle attract Ukrainian and foreign tourists. This creates a positive image of Volyn as a region open to innovation, creativity, and international cooperation.
Thanks to the UCORD project’s initiatives and grant programmes aimed at developing these areas, the Agency has a unique opportunity to actively support and develop local culture and make it one of the most important factors in Volyn’s economic development. We have a lot of plans and all of them are aimed at real actions. First of all, a detailed analysis of the communities’ capacity to develop culture, preserve cultural heritage and develop creative industries and tourism will be carried out.
In cooperation with the Regional Military Administration, we plan to update the ‘Volyn Unique’ tourist website to include new tourist routes and important heritage sites. In addition, roadmaps will be developed with communities to serve as a strategic plan for heritage preservation and tourism development.
Particular attention will be paid to identifying the most attractive destinations in the region and appointing community coordinators to ensure effective communication and management. Focus groups, webinars, and a series of online consultations are planned to increase the effectiveness of the communities in this process.
I believe that by working together, Volyn can become an example of how culture and creative industries can become the basis for the region’s economic development.
In your opinion, how can a sustainable economic model be created for the Volyn region that will ensure stable growth in the face of global challenges such as full-scale invasion and economic change?
Volyn is in a unique position – it is Ukraine’s gateway to Europe. And if we harness this potential, the region can not only survive in difficult times, but even grow. But it is important that everyone – business, government, community, education and science – work together.
In terms of cross-border cooperation, we share a border with Poland, one of the strongest economies in Europe. Why not use that to our advantage? Open joint enterprises, promote Ukrainian goods on the European market and attract investment. Europe allocates many resources for regional development, the main thing is to learn how to attract them properly. Poland, for example, is actively developing industrial parks and logistics hubs near its borders. Why can’t we do the same?
Speaking of logistics, this is also a great opportunity for Volyn. If we develop transport routes properly, make border crossings fast and convenient, and build modern warehouses and distribution centres, the Volyn region will become a powerful logistics hub between Ukraine and the EU. However, it is important that the authorities do not slow down the process, but helps businesses. And not just in logistics – business in general needs transparent rules of procedure, less bureaucracy, and more support.
But it is not all about money and investment. If there are no qualified people to stay here, then everything else is meaningless. And what do we see now? Young people study, get their diplomas and leave to seek a better life abroad. How can we change this? Firstly, education needs to keep pace with the real labour market and respond quickly to changing needs. If a company needs IT specialists, engineers and logisticians, universities should produce them. Secondly, young people need to be supported through start-ups, training programmes and opportunities to launch their own businesses. And the most important thing is to create conditions here that make people want to stay. If you have a job, good health care, good schools and decent housing, why would you look for something better elsewhere?
If we combine all these things – cross-border cooperation, efficient logistics, joint work by business, authorities and the community, and quality education – Volyn can become not just a stable region, but a truly prosperous one. But the key word here is together. Only when everyone comes together and starts working in the same direction will the result be seen.
The Swiss-Ukrainian project " Ukraine’s Cohesion & Regional Development", UCORD, is implemented by NIRAS Sweden AB with support from Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
