Local NGO “Chernihiv Regional Development Agency” (CRDA) is a non-government non-profit non-party research organization founded as a result of close cooperation of experts from two public organizations – “Association Initiative” and “Chernihiv Innovative Business-Incubator”. Its main aim is to promote structural re-organization and attraction of investments into the region, its adaptation to international economic system by means of efficient use of internal potential, promoting social partnership, generalization of common interest and comprehensive support of local initiatives aimed at implementation of regional development policy.

CRDA joined the efforts of experts from different spheres, who have considerable experience in project design and implementation as well as in carrying out research. Experts-scientists from local academic and educational institutions as well as experts from other influential organizations are involved into the activity of the Agency. CRDA focuses on economic, social, cultural and educational spheres, carrying out research, organizing educational and other public events aimed at local and regional development and support of integration of Ukraine into European Community.

Among the projects implemented by CRDA experts, both by their own strength and in cooperation with other NGOs, there are the following:

• “Presidential Marathon” (Institute for Reform, Kyiv / CAP), sociological survey of pre-election attitudes, dissemination of the “Voter’s ABC” brochure – 1999.
• “Public hearings: integration for the sake of progress” (Institute for Reforms / NewBiznet) – 1999.
• “Investment attractiveness of Ukrainian regions” (British Now-How Fund) – 2000.
• “Civil Society” NGO development program, Partnership Network project (IRF) – 2001–2002.
• Public debates on the “Program of Economic and Social Development of Ukraine” (UNDP / USAID). Under the project’s framework there were held series of public hearings and round-tables, in particular “Program of Economic and Social Development of Ukraine for 2002”, “Program of Economic and Social Development of Ukraine for 2003”, “Ukraine’s Developmental Strategy Till 2011”, “European Choice”, “Program of Economic and Social Development of Ukraine for 2004”, and “Ukraine: Millenium Goals of Development” – 2001–2003.
• Informational center of BIZPRO project voucher program in Chernihiv oblast – 2001–2002.
• “Chernihiv Oblast: Course of Development and Perspectives” project (under support of several regional business structures) – 2002.
• Business Partners project under the framework of BIZPRO – 2003–2004.

A contest “Young Economy” is held annually. CRDA has organized and conducted a number of sociological surveys. Among the events held in cooperation with other NGOs there were a series of seminars: “Role and functions of local self-government. Forms and mechanisms of ensuring democracy and public participation” (“Europe–XXI” Fund, Kyiv), “For newly elected deputies of local councils” (“Youth Alternative”, Kyiv), “How does your deputy perform?” (“Open Society” Foundation, Kyiv), “Public assessment of the prospects of social and economic development of Chernihiv region in All-Ukrainian context” (Institute for Reforms), workshop “Financial management for non-profit organizations” (“Association of experts in industrial management”, Cherkassy), “Re-organization, modernization and main methods of communal property management” (Municipal Development Institute, Kyiv) etc.

During 2001–2003 CRDA experts actively participated in the work of National Association of Regional Development Agencies of Ukraine. NGO “Association Initiative” was one of its founders in 2001. It published a number of articles in “Ukrainian Regional Newsletter” issued by Kyiv center of East-West Institute, and in “Economy Newsletter” as well.

Our publications

• Brochures: “Chernihiv Oblast: Course of Development and Perspectives (national and regional aspects)”, “Local Budgeting”, “Local Finance”, “Budget: Problems and Prospects”, “Budget and Control”, “The Streets of Chernihiv: Back to Original Names”;

• Selection of materials: “Making First Steps in Small Business”, “Business Audit. Rights and Obligations of Control Bodies”, “New Conditions of Rural Entrepreneurship. What Should a Farmer Do Nowadays?”

We are always open for cooperation

Contact information:
M. Kotsyubynsky St., 49-A, building “C”, Chernihiv 14000, Ukraine.
Head – Lyubov Pokarzhevska.
Теl: (0462) 17-86-30, tel./fax: (0462) 16-46-43,
e-mail: pivnich@mail.cn.ua