Ukraine has 349 small depressed towns with a population of 10.000- 50.000, comprising 22% of the population. There are 60 towns of this kind in Belarus. In Georgia, around 43% of the entire population resides in small towns. These towns tend to have a single industry and in general a lack of diversity and low productivity, resulting in considerable poverty, tension and depression. This has resulted in growing numbers of vulnerable and marginalized people.

Similar towns in Poland have solved their problems, overcome depression and ensured sustainable development by preparing and implementing  strategic economic development and investment plans together with their communities. The town of Ukrainka (Ukraine) has similar experience. The positive experience of these towns, which successfully involved stakeholders and reduced social disparities, will now be disseminated to other municipalities in Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine, where municipalities lack strategic urban development skills and the tools to encourage citizen participation.

The aim of this project is to contribute to sustainable local development in depressed small towns in Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine, and to boost their competitiveness with the help of Polish and Ukrainian expertise in strategic planning and local development.

Visit the project website