Description
The aim of the project is to tie closely cooperation in the sphere of planning of cross-border development activities in the SK – UA border region, in order to face existing and incoming threats of the target region on one hand, and utilizing its potential for local economic development on the other hand. The project target region, either Slovak part of it or the Ukrainian one is politically, geographically, economically and infrastructurally marginalized and its possibilities for development based on state-wide goals are significantly limited. That is why it is necessary to focus on a new approach of planning of local development by identification and mobilization of their internal cross-border potential (especially in the areas of human resources, social capital and capacity for innovation), as well as to harmonize relevant development goals. There is a significant absence of systematic institutional and expert collaboration in the sphere of planning in the target border region and lack of knowledge on how to use new innovative tools for planning in a changing environment, social and economic conditions. What will be achieved by the project? Previously non-existed long-term cross-border cooperation in the field of join planning of border area development will be formed, including the creation of preconditions for its systematic operation after the end of the project. A new realistic strategy for the local economic development of the SK-UA border area will be developed, including the concrete project ideas. A joint strategy for the local economic development of the border SK-UA will be enforced into official documents at regional level and into practice by members of two platforms: a platform of experts in planning and a platform of decision makers - representatives of local and regional government. At the same time, a new adaptive approach to cross-border planning will be created.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to tie closely cooperation in the sphere of planning of cross-border development activities in the SK – UA border region, in order to face existing and incoming threats of the target region on one hand, and utilizing its potential for local economic development on the other hand. - The project target region, either Slovak part of it or the Ukrainian one is politically, geographically, economically and infrastructurally marginalized and its possibilities for development based on state-wide goals are significantly limited. That is why it wa necessary to focus on a new approach of planning of local development by identification and mobilization of their internal cross-border potential (especially in the areas of human resources, social capital and capacity for innovation), as well as to harmonize relevant development goals. - Both parties, either Slovak or Ukrainian have not planned local development that could realistically take into account cross-border opportunities and the prevailing majority of development plans or spatial plans end at the national border. The result is not only inconsistent development goals, but also very often conflicting development goals, and practically absence of specific common projects to support the development of the Slovak – Ukrainian border region. - Planning on both sides of the state border is based on the traditional, often out-dated approaches to planning and does not take into account the new global challenges (e.g. demographic, economic, climate and social) that have the most significant local impact on just poorer regions. All partners, from Ukraine and Slovakia, were actively involved in project implementation. Expert group (later a platform of experts) provided consultations and contributions for outputs creation process. During project implemenation, 2 initiatives were supported/created with the aim to improve cooperation of employment services, education institutions, employers and other.
Summary of bilateral results
Communication with both Norwegian partners was aimed mainly to transfer of knowledge in the area of planning and cross-border cooperation. Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR) during a short study visit provided knowledge and experiences gained during long term scientific and planning activity of institute. Themes provided and detailed by NIBR: climate change, planning, adaptive capacity, cross border cooperation, employment, migration, supported by examples from Russia, Poland, Ukraine. NIBR also provided contact for experts in Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation, Institute of Transport Economics, OREEC er Kunnskapsbyen Lillestrøm, Glava Energy Center and Hedmark (region) Fylkeskommune, which enables additional transfer of knowledge in topics of regional policy of Norway, critical infrastructure adaption to climate change and extreme weather events, economical transformation to knowledge based society through scientific parts development, renewable energies and interreg programmes (Sweden-Norway) implementation. Sør-Varager Municipality (SVK) has wide experiences in local and regional development of remoted (peripheral) region, with additional cross border cooperation. Topics communicated (in cooperation with local partners, including Russian institutions): urban and spatial planning, socio economic planning, cross border cooperation, migration, artistic cross-border cooperation projects.Communication with Norwegian partners has provided a wider view to various topics related to planning, adaptive planning and cross-border cooperation, which were transferred also during personal visits of Slovak partners in Norway, and in visits of Norwegian partners in Slovakia and Ukraine. Knowledge was used for project outputs preparation, which can be considered as innovative also thanks to communication with both Norwegian project partners.