The event gathered more than 40 representatives from Ukrainian and European regional development agencies, national ministries, and EU institutions, including the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine (MinDev), the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers OF Ukraine, Ministries of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, OECD, andEURADA members from the Netherlands (Oost NL), Romania (ADR Nord-Est), France (CEEVO) and Croatia (PRIGODA and Zadra Nova) joined the discussion, bringing valuable experience from regions that have undergone transition and EU accession processes.
Strengthening partnerships between Ukrainian and European RDAs
The event’s highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between EURADA and six Ukrainian Regional Development Agencies from the pilot oblasts of Khmelnytska, Odesa, Sumska, Ternopilska, Vinnytska, and Volyn. The agreement formalises a long-term partnership aimed at strengthening institutional capacities, promoting joint initiatives, and advancing Ukraine’s alignment with EU regional policy practices.
The MoU builds on UCORD’s Component 1, which focuses on embeding regional policy development in Ukraine by supporting and strengthening RDAs as key actors in recovery and territorial governance. Under this framework, the cooperation will foster knowledge exchange, peer learning, and joint participation in EU programmes focused on cohesion, competitiveness, and smart specialisation.
Policy dialogue on multilevel governance and cohesion
The policy discussion that preceded the signing ceremony was moderated by Francesco Molica -EURADA Director- Theo Follings - EURADA president - and Roberta Dall’Olio - External Senior Advisor. The discussion focused on how RDAs can translate EU-level priorities into local and regional action.
Speakers included representatives from the OECD, who presented findings from the recent survey on the role of RDAs in multilevel governance systems across Europe and pre-accession countries. The Region of Brittany and the Regional Development Agency CEEVO 95 (Val-d’Oise, France) provided insights into the evolution of regional governance in France following administrative reforms, while Development Agency Zagreb (Croatia) shared lessons on the Croatian Law on Regional Development and how RDAs have adapted to post-conflict recovery and EU integration.
The Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine emphasised the importance of regional policy as a tool for resilience and reconstruction, stressing that “Ukraine’s recovery and European integration must be driven by empowered territories capable of delivering sustainable growth and social cohesion.”
A milestone for cooperation
The discussion concluded with a strong commitment from both sides to continue joint initiatives, including mentorship and project-based cooperation between EURADA members and Ukrainian RDAs. As outlined in the MoU, an annual cooperation workplan will be jointly developed to define concrete activities such as participation in EURADA events, thematic exchanges, and involvement in European funding programmes.
This collaboration reaffirms EURADA’s mission to strengthen regional development agencies as key enablers of territorial cohesion, innovation, and sustainable growth, within the EU and beyond.
You can see the picture of the eventby clicking on this album.
