A first-of-its-kind step-by-step video guide on creating a community development strategy was presented to Ukrainian communities. The video explains the main stages of creating this document and its role for the community in a simple and understandable way. The animation was developed in cooperation with the MHP-Community Charitable Foundation, which has been developing and restoring regions for 9 years, and the ShoTam media.
The strategy - is the main document of the community, which defines the most important tasks and goals of its development for a certain period. Its creation - is a complex but necessary process that provides conditions for achieving the long-term goals of the community. Through strategic planning, the community can ensure stable development for many years to come, taking into account both current needs and prospects. The strategy simplifies the decision-making process, allows for efficient use of the budget, and attracts ambitious, intelligent, and creative people to the community.
"A quality strategy written jointly unites different sectors of society - government, residents, business, media - around common values to create a community that people want to live in. It forms a unique image of the community that differs from others in the region and the country, makes it understandable to donors and attractive for attracting investments and grants", - said Tetiana Volochai, Chairman of the Community Development Council of MHP-Community.
According to her, the Foundation is currently assisting two communities - Myronivska and Kanivska - in updating their strategies. As part of the cooperation, experts , Oleksandra and Vitaliy Hlizhynsky, who have extensive experience in similar projects not only in Ukraine but also abroad, were involved in the process. Together with community representatives, the experts and representatives of the Foundation go through all the stages of updating the document: from public discussions and creating a "tree of goals" to public discussions and approval at city council sessions.
"The strategy document should be as simple as possible, written in human language. If we want the strategy to include citizens, potential colleagues, and entrepreneurs, it should be deep, but written as simply as possible. Then it works for the development of the entire settlement. Strategy - is a living document, and we can make changes to it. But only when external factors are so important that we cannot ignore them," - said Oleksandra Hlizhynskykh, an expert and co-founder of the All-Ukrainian Initiative ‘Active Community’.
This work inspired the experts of the MHP-Community Foundation to create a video guide that will become a universal tool for other communities in the process of creating a quality development strategy. The development of the document itself takes about six months and involves several stages.
The process of creating a strategy begins with public discussions that involve the government, the public sector and business to express visions, identify problems and propose solutions. At the second stage, focus groups of people of different ages and veterans are formed to assess the relevance of the issues discussed. The third stage involves working with the relevant departments, where a strategic committee is set up and a "goal tree" is formed. Next, the working group develops a unified strategy concept, taking into account all the problems and opportunities identified. The document is then subject to public discussion, during which residents can familiarize themselves with it and make adjustments. At the final stage, the finalized strategy is submitted to the local council session for voting and approval by the deputies.
As part of their cooperation with the MHP-Community Foundation, the Kaniv and Myronivka communities have already completed the first four stages, during which they identified their strengths. For the Kaniv community , these are tourist locations and nature, and for the Myronivka community , these are natural resources, including radon baths, which offer prospects for medical development. Public discussions are currently underway, after which local deputies will vote to approve the strategy.
"Updating strategies is extremely important right now, because after the victory, donors and foreign investors will be more willing to invest in communities with a clear and understandable vision of the future. This is our responsibility to the military - . While they are protecting our right to life, we must change it for the better by preparing communities for their return, making them inclusive, etc. Therefore, this is something that cannot be postponed for later," added Tetyana Volochay.
Addendum
The MHP-Community Charitable Foundation is a Ukrainian charitable foundation that started its operations in 2015. Its main mission is the comprehensive development of communities. The geography of its activities includes 13 regions of Ukraine: more than 700 towns and villages. Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Foundation has been systematically supporting people in the war zone, Ukrainian defenders and rescuers, communities, hospitals and maternity homes, charitable institutions that care for orphans and the elderly, as well as people who have lost their homes and livelihoods due to the war.