News

From July 21 to August 1, 2018, a study tour to Canada for mayors from PLEDDG partner cities took place. The study tour was dedicated to Canadian practices in inter-municipal cooperation, regional and local economic development.

On July 19th, the Honorable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canadian Minister of International Development, learned about this aspect of PLEDDG work in Ukraine during a meeting with representatives of NGOs, business associations, and social enterprises, activities of which were supported by PLEDDG within the Project’s component “Support of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Development”.

On July 18th, in Kyiv, PLEDDG Project jointly with Export Promotion Office held a roundtable discussion on “Business Associations in Ukraine: Opportunities and Challenges”. Participants discussed the role of local business associations in supporting and development of small and medium-sized enterprises. The event welcomed about 60 representatives from various business associations.

In light of the importance of efficient and professional media coverage for open democratic governance, PLEDDG Project held a series of trainings for journalists from PLEDDG partner cities, which enabled them to identify and apply the most effective methods of political coverage.

On June 19, 2018, Kyiv hosted the Day of Open Governance and Economic Development of Ukrainian Cities as part of ХІV Ukrainian Municipal Forum. The event was held in the framework of PLEDDG Project.

One of the major PLEDDG Project’s tasks is to assist partner cities in drawing up and implementing their development strategies. Funding the events and projects on the strategies for city development implies making use of efficient sources, instruments, and the mechanisms facilitating economic growth, increase of cities’ competitiveness, and improvement of citizens’ living standards.

From May 26 to June 4, 2018, in the framework of PLEDDG Project, a study tour to Canada for representatives of Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) took place. During the visit, its participants had a chance to attend the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Annual Conference (FCM), which serves as a platform for discussion of topical social, economic, ecological, and political issues at the national level, with the representatives of all Canadian municipalities involved.

On May 22-23, 2018, PLEDDG Project delivered a training session on “City Branding and Marketing for Local Economic Development”. Representatives from PLEDDG partner cities responsible for the development of a marketing strategy, shaping and promotion of their cities' brands, took part in it. PLEDDG Project welcomed both Canadian and Ukrainian experts and practitioners, with extensive experience in marketing and branding, to conduct the training.

On May 10-11, 2018, Kremenchuk hosted the PLEDDG-sponsored international business forum “International Cooperation: Building the Future Together”. The Forum brought together representatives of Canada, Lithuania, Poland, and other countries involved in establishment and enhancement of cooperation with Ukraine, representatives of Ukrainian state and local authorities, entrepreneurs, and experts.