BRAMA, November 13, 2002, 9:00 am ET

U.S. Government to Sign Memoranda of Understanding with Ukrainian Communities to Develop and Implement Local Environmental Action Plans

Kyiv — On Friday, November 15, 2002, mayors and raion rada chairmen of seven Ukrainian communities will sign Memoranda of Understanding with Christopher D. Crowley, Mission Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)/Kyiv to finalize their participation in a three-year Local Environmental Action Program (LEAP) program. LEAP is designed to demonstrate participatory approaches to solving environmental problems at the local level. The project is funded by USAID and is jointly implemented by the Institute for Sustainable Communities (U.S.) and ISAR "Yednannia" (Ukraine). Representatives of Ukraine's Ministry of Economy and European Integration and Ministry of Ecology and National Resources are also schedule to participate.

These seven communities, Pavlohrad (Dnipropetrovska Oblast), Yevpatoriia (Autonomous Republic of Crimea), Balaklava district (City of Sevastopol), Kosiv district (Ivano-Frankivska Oblast), Svatove district (Luhanska Oblast), Chechelnyk (Vinnytska Oblast), Korostyshiv (Zhytomyrska Oblast), were selected through a competitive process that completed in early summer and attracted 115 applicants. Selection was based on previous experience in addressing environmental issues, commitment of local government officials to the LEAP, and prior cooperation between local officials and non-government organizations.

The MOU spells out the division of responsibilities between USAID and the chosen communities. USAID, working through ISC, will assist the cities or raions to conduct comparative environmental risk assessments for the community; train relevant staff; develop a local environmental action plan; and identify opportunities for investment that address priorities in the local environment action plan. Each community formed a Project Stakeholder Group, composed of local government officials, environmental groups, municipal environment facilities, and the public, which are working on developing these local environmental strategies. Communities will also integrate their local environmental action plans in future municipal planning and budgeting.

All Ukrainian communities are welcome to join the "LEAP Network." By joining, communities will be able to receive a bi-monthly newsletter, have access to databases, attend regional seminars and trainings, and receive materials on how to manage local environmental issues.

Since 1992 USAID has provided over $1.6 billion worth of technical and humanitarian assistance in support of Ukraine's democratic, economic, and social transition. For more detailed information on LEAP please contact Mr. Oleksander Cherkas at 462-5678 or at ocherkas@usaid.gov and/or Mr. Oleksander Mykytiuk at 531-9857 or at alex@leap.kiev.ua

REGIONAL USAID MISSION FOR UKRAINE, BELARUS AND MOLDOVA
19 Nizhny Val, Kyiv, Ukraine
Fax:+380-44-462-5834; Phone: +380-44-462-5678

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