The first elections in the newly established Baturynska hromada took place in December 2016. Leonid Dusha, then mayor of Baturyn, gained the victory. During the first months of its formation, the hromada, like all others, paid attention to restoration issues: repaired roads, kindergartens, infrastructure facilities etc. Though it is not enough for capacity development, as it is necessary not only to use the funds, but also increase revenues, that is, to develop the economic potential of the hromada. That is why the Baturynska hromada responded to the proposal of the Chernihiv Local Government Development Centre, established with the support of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme and MinRegion, to jointly develop a hromada development strategy for 2018-2024.

On 18 January, the first meeting of the working group on the strategic plan development was held with the participation of the representatives of the town council, deputies and concerned hromada residents. Volodymyr Boyko, regional development adviser of the Chernihiv LGDC, explained the importance of citizens' participation in a strategic plan elaboration: “The hromada development strategy will be realistic if you write it for yourself. It is not a mandatory document, like the Social and Economic Development Plan, but in order to attract investors or grant funds, this document gives preference and creates a positive impression of donors or investors, proving the seriousness of intentions. Besides, if you have a development strategy, you understand your own strengths and weaknesses, know your competitive advantages, and have a vision of what your hromada should become in future.”

The Baturynska hromada has a great tourist potential, which, combined with the developed infrastructure, economic start-ups and successful investment projects, can make it one of the most successful and capable hromadas in Ukraine. And for this purpose it is necessary to develop a powerful development strategy and work on its implementation.

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