The Pidhorodnenska territorial community of the Dnipro Oblast is taking a decisive step towards improving the investment climate and stimulating economic growth. In cooperation with the Centre for Innovation Development, the community has started working on an investment passport as part of the project “Strengthening Democratic Processes in Territorial Communities” with the support of the USAID Democratic Governance in Eastern Ukraine project.
An investment passport is a key marketing and investment tool that presents available resources and opportunities to potential investors. It will become the basis for attracting funds for the development of the Pidhorodnenska community and creating new jobs. Favourable geographical conditions, abundant natural resources, convenient transport links, skilled labour force and sincere support of the local authorities make this region extremely attractive to investors.
The working group has already started working on the passport. In particular,a number of meetings have alreadybeen held with community representatives, involving both civil society and business, to discuss the priority areas and timeline for the investment passport, and to identify investment-attractive and interesting projects.
Thus, on 21 March 2024, the team of the Pidhorodnenska community took part in the expert event “Strengthening democratic processes at the local level during the war” held in Kyiv. The community delegation included representatives of business, the veteran movement and IDPs. The second half of the event was devoted to preliminary preparations for the development of the community’s investment passport, accompanied by project experts. It is worth noting that the team of the Pidhorodnenska community presented the products manufactured by their entrepreneurs, in particular, pasta products of Zakroma and Pastalina brands (sole proprietor Romanovskyi O.R.), and their business idea for the production of interesting children’s educational and game sets for growing microgreens under the brand name Semenatko was presented by local business owners Ivan and Tetiana Rudenko (sole proprietor Rudenko I.I.).
As a result of the working meetings with experts, it was found that the Pidhorodnenska community does have significant potential for development:
- Favourable geographical conditions;
- Availability of natural resources that can be used to create recreational facilities;
- Developed transport infrastructure;
- Availability of fertile land and developed agriculture (in particular, farming);
- Skilled labour force;
- Cooperation with universities on infrastructure development;
- Strong business base and favourable business climate;
- Active support of local authorities.
As a result of the analysis of the urgent needs of the Pidhorodnenska community, priority areas for investment were identified, which will form the basis for the formation of the community’s investment proposal:
- Processing and storage of agricultural products;
- The need to build a full-cycle logistics complex;
- Support and development of beekeeping;
- Storage of berry farm products, promotion of their maximum concentration in the community;
- Construction of a recreational complex;
- Providing the community with a modern waste processing complex with the possibility of biofuel production;
- Support and development of social housing programmes for IDPs;
- Providing the community with alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on conventional energy sources and reduce the cost of servicing socially important community institutions;
- Creation of a business incubator for veterans and combatants
- Development of creative, innovative, pioneering start-ups and businesses.
If you have any suggestions on how to restore and develop the investment climate of the Pidhorodnenska community, please submit them here: https://forms.gle/MR9j2rgMG1Z5YuqJ6
“One of the tools that is the most complete source of information about hromada resources for an investor is the hromada investment passport. It can contain not only general information about the hromada and its competitive advantages, but also information about specific objects – vacant premises, land plots, operating enterprises and conditions that hinder their development, etc. In addition, it is worth noting that an investment passport is an element of strategic planning for community development. This is also an important argument in favour, as a good partner is open, predictable and predictable. This is exactly what our hromada should be like on its way to success. We are confident that the result will create new opportunities and become another brick in the foundation for further sustainable development and prosperity of our community,” said Yevhen Romenskyi, Chief Specialist of the Investment and European Integration Department of the Pidhorodnenska Territorial Community.
It is expected that the successful implementation of the investment passport will not only strengthen the economic base of the Pidhorodnenska community, but will also serve as an example for other regions, demonstrating the effectiveness of a proactive approach to attracting investment and developing the local economy.
For reference: The implementation of this project was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Innovation Development Centre is implementing the project “Strengthening Democratic Processes in Territorial Communities” with the support of the USAID Democratic Governance in Eastern Ukraine Project.