The Zymne community in the Volyn region has signed a partnership agreement with the municipality of Velika Polana (Slovenia).

The document confirms that the communities intend to cooperate in the following areas:

• development of democracy, economy, and infrastructure;
• tourism, culture, and education;
• health care and social services;
• work with youth;
• ecology and environmental protection.

‘Our partnership with Velika Polana opens up new opportunities for the community. These include the exchange of experience and joint projects that will improve the lives of local residents. We would like to thank the U-LEAD with Europe and the GIZ for their support in this process,’ stated Viacheslav Katolyk, Head of the Zymne community.

International partnerships at community level are becoming an increasingly important development tool. They enable:

• gain access to European experience in local self-government;
• implement joint cultural and educational projects;
• attract investment in the local economy;
• develop entrepreneurship and create new opportunities for young people;
• strengthen the environmental sustainability of territories.

For Ukraine, this is also a step towards deeper integration into the European community: direct contacts between communities form practical partnerships that strengthen the country from the bottom up.

The agreement between the Zymne community and Velika Polana will lay the groundwork for initiatives that will contribute to the development of the local economy, improve services for residents and expand international contacts.