Reconstruction of Ukraine after the war must involve modernization and development. That is why the state needs an effective rural development policy and a separate financial instrument for its implementation – the Rural Development Fund. This is not only the urgent needs of Ukraine, it is also part of the European integration challenges. This was reported by All-Ukrainian Association of Communities.
Rural development policy is critical for Ukraine for many reasons:
- Ukraine has always been and remains a predominantly rural country (over 30% of the population lives in rural areas) with deep historical traditions of rural life;
- war sharply deepens all current problems of the Ukrainian countryside: unemployment, poverty, depopulation, and the decline of villages threatens the food security of each community and the state as a whole
- Ukraine is embarking on an accelerated European integration, and the EU has an effective rural development policy and appropriate financial instruments (including for candidate countries), and we need to be prepared for that.
However, there is currently no rural development policy in Ukraine. There are no strategic and planning documents. There is even a lack of understanding of the priorities, goals and content of this policy. And most importantly – there is no financial instrument.
The Framework Strategies (National Economic Strategy until 2030 and the National Strategy for Regional Development for 2021-2027) provide for the establishment of the Rural Development Fund and the implementation of a comprehensive state policy in the field of agriculture and rural development. However, the requirements of these strategies have not yet been implemented. Although a corresponding bill was registered in the Verkhovna Rada a year ago (№5584 of 28.05.2021).
The All-Ukrainian Association of Communities believes that the need to create this critical financial instrument cannot be overlooked when formulating the National Recovery Plan of Ukraine. That is why the VAG submitted to the working group “New Agrarian Policy” proposals for the establishment and establishment of the Rural Development Fund.
Rural development is an important part of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy for 2021-2027. Its main objectives are to strengthen the social, environmental and economic sustainability of rural areas, improve the socio-economic structure and employment in rural areas.
European integration can open for Ukraine access to the IPA candidate country support instrument, which is part of IPARD III – a tool to support candidate countries in rural development and the sustainable agricultural sector. Areas of support include: development of local development strategies and social community building (LEADER approach), investment in rural infrastructure, diversification of employment (high value-added products, beekeeping, crafts, rural tourism, etc.), capacity building of local authorities, agri-environmental and climate measures.