Leaders of 15 communities in Ivano-Frankivsk region signed a memorandum of cooperation in the city of Halych, confirming their intention to create the Ivano-Frankivsk urban agglomeration.

Ruslan Martsinkiv, Mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk, announced these plans.

The agglomeration will include the communities of Ivano-Frankivsk, Halych, Tysmenytsia, Tlumach, Bohorodchany, Yezupil, Lysets, Otyniia, Dzvyniach, Dubivtsi, Zahvizdia, Pererisl, Stari Bohorodchany, Uhryniv, and Yamnytsia.

 

 

Yurii Stefanchuk, Executive Director of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Office of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, commented that the signed document confirms the willingness of communities to cooperate more closely:

‘The memorandum signed by community leaders today confirms their readiness to form an agglomeration association around the city of Ivano-Frankivsk. This will involve establishing common priorities, developing joint projects, forming a shared vision, and developing the territory. A resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers states that an agglomeration association is one of the growth poles in the region, and the Carpathian region is therefore taking advantage of this opportunity. In other words, today we are merely formalising our intention to unite in creating a future agglomeration.’

Ivano-Frankivsk is set to become the third Ukrainian city to establish an urban agglomeration, following the examples of Kyiv and Lviv. This model of cooperation is intended to encourage communities to work together for the long term and make the most of the potential of their territories.

Vitalii Bezgin, Member of Ukrainian Parliament, explains the nationwide context of the development of agglomerations:

‘In Ukraine, there is a trend towards deeper forms of cooperation between communities, known as agglomerations. These are instances where communities collaborate, pooling their efforts and financial resources to address issues such as waste management, public transport, land use, and development planning. We have had a positive experience in Lviv region, which is considered one of the most proactive in Ukraine. Now, Ivano-Frankivsk region is continuing this approach.’

According to the provisions of the Memorandum, the agglomeration should be the first step towards the more efficient use of available resources and an improvement in the quality of life for residents of all communities, by attracting investment, developing entrepreneurship, creating jobs, and increasing the competitiveness of the region.

Oleh Kantor, Mayor of Halych, emphasised the potential of such an association:

‘The unification of these communities provides a new opportunity to access European standards in order to create conditions that will benefit us all. I am very grateful to those who have joined this initiative, because together we are stronger and will be able to develop our communities.’

Ruslan Martsinkiv, Mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk, emphasised that the agglomeration will have both a developmental and a security dimension, particularly with regard to supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It will also meet the requirements of the European Union for implementing joint projects:

‘In fact, we have a lot in common – many people work in our communities. Cultural centres, especially spiritual ones such as Starunia, Halych, and Pohonia, are located in our communities, where many Ivano-Frankivsk residents relax or pray for Ukraine. We are connected by transport and by the fact that children study in city and other schools. It is important that we have a development strategy, and we have already achieved some success. We have a grant project that will help us develop a strategy for this urban agglomeration. Therefore, unity among the communities is crucial, and I would also like to thank the Ukrainian MPs who came here and who effectively lobby for the Ivano-Frankivsk urban agglomeration in the Verkhovna Rada and the Government. This is important for us. I am confident that everything will work out and that this urban agglomeration will become very active.’

According to the Mayor, creation of the agglomeration will open up opportunities for joint development of transport, water supply and sewerage, waste management, education, healthcare, security, and public amenities, and will represent another step towards systematic development of communities in the Carpathian region.

Analytical materials and news about the development of urban agglomerations in Ukraine are available in the relevant section of the Decentralisation Portal.