In order to foster implementation of tools of democratic governance and acceleration of local economic development of partner cities, PLEDDG Project is actively involved in organization of study tours for representatives of local authorities of partner cities to other countries in order for them to learn international experience in the sphere of governance and economic development and its application in Ukrainian context in the process of reform implementation.
A study tour to Poland took place on October 22-28, 2017, within the framework of PLEDDG Project and in partnership with the Polish Solidarity Fund. Representatives of local governments from PLEDDG partner cities who are in charge of administrative services and Administrative Service Centers were invited to take part in the study tour.
The purpose of this study tour was to exchange experience with Polish colleagues in the sphere of democratic governance and providing high quality administrative services.
During the study tour the participants had a chance to visit 4 different Polish cities in the north of Poland – Bydgoszcz, Nakło nad Notecią, Inowrocław and Toruń, where they had a chance to meet representatives of Polish municipalities. The participants together with Polish colleagues discussed Polish experience in implementing democratic reforms and introducing good governance principles, positive outcomes of reforming local self-governance and using reform outcomes to strengthen democracy and involve the community in the decision making process.
In Bydgoszcz the participants attended the lecture by a deputy head of the regional council and ex-president of Bydgoszcz Roman Jasyakevich on the system of self-governance in Poland with particular emphasis on Voivodeship Kujawsko-Pomorskie. They also visited the Mayor’s office, in particular the Department of Budget Management where they learnt about the funding of local government in Poland in general and in Bydgoszcz in particular, as well as the structure of municipal budget. In the IT-department they discussed provision of electronic services to the residents, in particular the Mayor’s office e-mail box. In the Public Relations Department, participants discussed dialogue with city residents and public involvement in the decision making process, public hearing and participatory budget.
In Nakło nad Notecią, the participants discussed with representatives of the local government services for business, online services, cooperation with local business organizations. They visited a local Center for Social Assistance where they learnt about peculiarities of the social aid system in a Polish gmina, its main objectives and tools.
Study tour participants had an interesting discussion in the Department of Cooperation with investors of Inowroclaw city. They discussed with their Polish counterparts how information about investment opportunities and investment conditions of the city was prepared and shared, how the local government support investors and local interpreneurs in creating jobs, how they stimulate programs and activities that enhance business development, how they support local institutions, create special clusters, business incubators and other centers, whose activity help enhance regional economics.
In Toruń the participants visited a Business Support Center set up by the municipality in order to support economic activity in the city. The Center offers help at all stages of the investment process starting from finding a place for business, getting necessary permits and licenses to hire people. It’s also responsible for comprehensive investment support – providing information about the activities aimed at boosting investment activity, tax privileges and available funds for the interpreneurs, they also help implement an investment marketing strategy in Toruń. The participants also had a chance to visit a local business incubator set up thanks to coperation between municipal and regional authorities in order to support innovative startups, mainly in the IT-industry.
During an intense 5-day study tour participants had in-depth discussions with their Polish counterparts on issues of interest, deepened their knowledge about Polish reforms and singled out the instruments that could be adapted and applied in Ukraine.
The next study tour to Poland within the framework of PLEDDG Project is scheduled for November 5-11, 2017, and will be dedicated to marketing and city branding. The participants will have an opportunity to visit Polish agglomeration Trójmiasto, which includes three Polish cities – Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia, and will learn about the peculiarities of internal and external strategies of city promotion.