Partnership for Local Economic Development and Democratic Governance Project (PLEDDG) ceased to function on March 31, 2021.

PLEDDG activities were aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s municipal sector, facilitating effective democratic governance, and fostering of economic development.

The project was implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and financed by Global Affairs Canada.

Partners:

  • 16 partner-cities in Vinnytsia, Ivano-Frankivsk Poltava and Zaporizhia oblasts
  • Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine
  • Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine
  • Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC)

PLEDDG activities

1000

Implementing an “open government” model and ensuring transparent and effective decision-making by local government

PLEDDG has empowered local governments to implement an “open government” model in order to create transparent and participatory decision-making processes that has allowed all the stakeholders (civil society organizations, media, private sector representatives and citizens) play active role in shaping and implementing local development strategies, impact decisions aimed at the development of territorial communities

Key activities:

  • Implementation of democratic governance instruments
  • Development and implementation of strategic plans in accordance with common views on territorial communities’ development
  • Formation of local regulations and decisions, governance improvement, budgeting and administrative services provision
2000

SMEs development and effectiveness improvement

PLEDDG has supported the growth of small and medium enterprises’ (SME) potential to ensure local economic development. PLEDDG has also provided technical assistance to stimulate and support selected SMEs through creating business support institutions; entrepreneurs’ professional development; local SME support programs implementation

Key activities:

  • Creation of favorable enabling environment for SMEs
  • Stimulation of women`s and inclusive entrepreneurship
  • Support of business infrastructure development
3000

Improve collaboration between local, regional and national authorities to facilitate decentralization

PLEDDG has supported the improvement of institutional capacities of local self-governance bodies, shaping of practical cooperation policy among different government bodies in order to promote local investment, trade and business development; supported local governments (LG) in building effective intergovernmental cooperation to facilitate decentralization

Key activities:

  • Enhancing training and professional development opportunities for LG officials and staff on democratic governance, LED, investment attraction
  • Increasing ability of regional/local governments for intergovernmental dialogue and integrated economic development planning
  • Strengthening capacities of municipal sector through cooperation with AUC

Cross cutting themes

Gender

Supporting equal participation of women and men in local communities

PLEDDG has facilitated the participation of women in leadership and enhancement of women’s active involvement in the economic development processes. PLEDDG gender strategy included two main directions: (1) equal participation of women and men in the decision-making processes as part of strategic development planning in partner cities; (2) decreasing of gender inequality by ensuring equal access to resources for women and men

Eco

Integration of environmental sustainability issues

PLEDDG implementation plan included Environmental Sustainability Strategy. That has ensured integration of environmental aspects in all Project activities – from general planning to implementation and evaluation of each initiative. All of the PLEDDG initiatives have gone through ecological assessment in order to limit their possible negative impact on the environment and enhance its positive outcomes