Oleksiy Kryvokon, head of the Cherkasy Settlement Military Administration, along with representatives of the Cherkasy Settlement Territorial Community, completed an internship in the municipality of Laitila, Finland, as part of the TIPS4UA program—a joint initiative of the European Committee of the Regions and “U-LEAD with Europe.”
The internship provided an opportunity not only to learn about European approaches to local development but also to see how they work in practice. The main focus was on project management, securing European Union funding, strategic planning, local governance, education, and the provision of public services.
As part of the program, a meeting was held with representatives of the Regional Council of Southwest Finland. Participants learned about the council’s role in regional development and support for municipalities. Special attention was given to the work of Turku Water Utility Ltd, the organization of water supply systems, and emergency preparedness.
Issues of energy independence and sustainable development were an important part of the internship. Community representatives learned about the Laitila district heating system, which runs on renewable energy sources, as well as practices in wastewater treatment and environmental management.
The experience with local economic development was of particular interest. The delegation visited food processing plants and agricultural companies in Laitila, where they learned about modern approaches to production, supporting entrepreneurship, rural development, and attracting investment.
Oleksiy Kryvokon, head of the Cherkasy Settlement Military Administration, noted that the study tour provided new ideas for community development and laid the groundwork for further cooperation with Finnish partners.
A key outcome of the visit was the establishment of a partnership between the Cherkasy community and the municipality of Laitila. The parties outlined areas for further cooperation, the exchange of experience, and the potential implementation of joint initiatives.
Based on materials from the Cherkasy Settlement Military Administration