Zhytomyr Region · Ukraine

IMPACT-Zhytomyr 3.0

Capacity building program for 11 municipalities of Zhytomyr region in strategic planning and local development. Transforming wartime challenges into investment-ready projects with the support of the Estonian Government and European experts.

11 municipalities24 sessions · 72 hoursSeptember 2026 – May 2027

Apply for training Participating municipalities

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Why this programme matters

Today, local self-government bodies in Ukraine are not merely administrative units, but the frontline of the country's resilience, public service delivery and future European integration. The harsh realities of wartime, ongoing infrastructure crises and limited budgets require municipal leaders not only to manage daily crisis response, but also to foster strategic vision, data-driven planning and the capacity to engage effectively with international donors.

The IMPACT-Zhytomyr 3.0 program was created specifically to address these challenges. Drawing on Estonia's experience, the project supports 11 municipalities in Zhytomyr region as they transition from emergency response to systemic development and international investment attraction.

Key program objectives

High-quality investment projects

Train municipalities to develop bankable project profiles that meet EU standards and international donor requirements.

Internal capacity building

Build local expertise and equip municipal teams with tools for independent strategic planning and long-term monitoring.

Bridge for EU cooperation

Build a direct bridge for long-term partnership between Estonian and Zhytomyr municipalities.

IMPACT-Zhytomyr 3.0 official opening event, 24 September 2026, Zhytomyr, Ukraine

Event announcement

Official program launch & kick-off forum "IMPACT-Zhytomyr 3.0"

Date: 24 September 2026
Location: Zhytomyr (exact address sent to registered participants for safety reasons)

The event will bring together over 100 participants: heads of the 11 participating municipalities, leadership of the Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration, Estonian diplomats, ESTDEV representatives, Visionest Institute experts, business leaders and civil society organisations.

Registration is open via Google Forms. The full agenda will be published here shortly.

Participating municipalities

Eleven hromadas of Zhytomyr region take part in two tracks, depending on the maturity of their strategic documents.

Track 1

Strategy development from scratch

4 municipalities receiving comprehensive support in developing new Development Strategies, Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) and 4-year Action Plans.

Berezivka Hromada
Vyshevychi Hromada
Semenivka Hromada
Stryieva Hromada

Track 2

Implementation & investment projects

7 municipalities updating existing plans, aligning them with local budgets and preparing at least 14 bankable project profiles.

Popilnia Hromada
Barashivka Hromada
Vilshanka Hromada
Hlybochytska Hromada
Horshchyky Hromada
Starosiltsi Hromada
Chyzhivka Hromada

Program implementation process

1
Needs assessment & baseline analysis (September – October 2026)
Primary data collection and stakeholder mapping across 11 municipalities. Key deliverable: a structured Baseline Report detailing local development needs, strategic planning capacity and priority investment areas.
2
Practical training program (October 2026 – February 2027)
An intensive capacity-building course for municipal officials, specialists and partners: 4 onsite modules, 24 sessions, 72 hours in Zhytomyr. From theory to immediate practical application on real municipal documents.
3
Strategy & investment project development (February – May 2027)
Direct mentorship by Estonian and Ukrainian experts to finalise strategic and project documentation. Key deliverable: 4 new Development Strategies with SEAs for Track 1 and 14 bankable project profiles adhering to EU standards for Track 2.

What municipalities will gain

Up-to-date strategic documents
Practical strategic planning tools
Clear development priorities
Expert mentorship and guidance
Bankable project profiles for donor funding
Estonian and EU best practices
Enhanced municipal team capacity
Stronger link between priorities, action plans and budgeting

Training program

The program is structured to equip local officials and specialists with the skills to create high-quality strategic plans, calculate realistic budgets and prepare project proposals aligned with international donor requirements.

Format: 24 practical sessions in 4 residential onsite modules in Zhytomyr, 72 academic hours. Each session runs 1.5–2 hours: a 20-minute mini-lecture, a discussion of local challenges and a practical group exercise on municipal documents.

The training follows a rotational principle: professionals may join the entire program or only the modules relevant to their work. Participants of individual modules receive a certificate of participation; graduates of the full course receive a final certificate from Visionest Institute.

Analyse municipal data: develop strategies compliant with national legislation and Methodological Recommendations No. 265.
Engage business and community: apply the Quadruple Helix model to involve local enterprises, academia and civil society.
Prepare bankable projects: create project concepts following EU Green Transition (DNSH) and Logical Framework (Logframe) standards.
Align strategies with budgets: draft 4-year action plans matched with available financial resources.
Navigate donor funding: access funding opportunities from the EU, World Bank, EBRD and ESTDEV.

Module structure

Module 1: Updating strategic goals and stakeholder engagement (Sessions 1–6)+

2-day residential module in Zhytomyr
6 sessions

Teaches data-driven strategy development and real stakeholder participation. Target group: heads of local self-governments, chief strategic planning officers, local council members. Session 1. Data-driven local development assessment methodology under Recommendations No. 265. Session 2. Building socio-economic municipal profiles and demographic data triangulation during crises. Session 3. Quadruple Helix model in practice: mapping businesses, universities and NGOs. Session 4. Digital community engagement: using Viber, Telegram and social media for data collection. Session 5. Logic of setting long-term 8-year strategic goals and development directions. Session 6. Practicum: formulating and presenting vision, mission and priority goals for 11 municipalities.

Module 2: EU regional development principles and funding sources (Sessions 7–12)+

2-day residential module in Zhytomyr
6 sessions

Introduces EU donor expectations and funding identification strategies. Target group: development department specialists, international cooperation coordinators, finance directors. Session 7. EU regional development principles and Cohesion Policy foundations. Session 8. Adapting sustainable development and Smart Specialisation (S3) to rural Ukrainian territories. Session 9. Rules and expectations of international donors and IFIs: EU, World Bank, EBRD, ESTDEV. Session 10. Matching strategic goals with open donor calls and funding pipelines. Session 11. Integrating EU environmental criteria and the "Do No Significant Harm" (DNSH) principle. Session 12. Practicum: developing individualised donor funding maps for each municipality.

Module 3: Transfer of Estonian best practices and budgeting (Sessions 13–18)+

2-day residential module in Zhytomyr
6 sessions

Estonian experience transfer on aligning strategies with municipal budgets and annual updates. Target group: finance and budget department heads, action plan coordinators, chief accountants. Session 13. Lessons from Estonian administrative reform and regional development: avoiding common pitfalls. Session 14. Preparing 4-year action plans: investment prioritisation and evaluation matrices. Session 15. Connecting strategic planning with annual municipal budget preparation. Session 16. Digital tools and dashboards for strategy implementation monitoring and reporting. Session 17. Ensuring a "living" strategy: Estonian practices of annual data-based updates. Session 18. Project clinic: reviewing municipal action plans with Estonian experts.

Module 4: Developing bankable project concepts (Sessions 19–24)+

3-day residential module in Zhytomyr
6 extended sessions

Packaging municipal project ideas into bankable formats attractive to international donors. Target group: project managers, sector specialists (utilities, healthcare, education), business and community representatives. Session 19. Anatomy of a bankable project: transforming ideas into donor-ready formats. Session 20. Logical Framework Matrix (Logframe) and indicator tree construction. Session 21. Financial planning: Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), budgeting and risk management. Session 22. Technical preparation for social, healthcare and critical infrastructure projects. Session 23. Practical session: finalising and technically structuring 14 bankable project profiles. Session 24. Final defence: presenting project concepts to a simulated expert panel.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the training program?+

Applications are open to municipal heads, department directors and specialists (economy, investments, utilities, education, healthcare), council members, as well as official local business and NGO representatives from the 11 participating hromadas.

Can I attend only one specific module, or must I complete the entire course?+

The course operates on a rotational model. Participants can attend modules aligned with their specific professional responsibilities. Single-module attendees receive certificates of participation, while full-course graduates receive a diploma from Visionest Institute.

Is participation strictly onsite, or is there an option to join online?+

Training modules are held in person as 2–3 day residential intensives in Zhytomyr (with accommodation and meals provided) to ensure maximum practical engagement. Select consultations and mentorship sessions may run in a hybrid format.

What is the participation cost?+

Participation, including training materials, accommodation and meals during onsite modules in Zhytomyr, is fully funded by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV).

If I am not a local government employee but represent the community, can I participate in the opening event?+

Yes. Representatives of local businesses, NGOs, initiative groups and public institutions are welcome to apply.

How can I submit a development proposal for my hromada?+

Proposals can be submitted during the Needs Assessment phase (September–October 2026) by contacting your local strategic planning working group or via the contact details on this page.

Where can I review the draft strategy for my municipality?+

Draft strategies and related documents will be published on the official websites of participating municipalities for public review and SEA consultations.

Can I provide feedback on investment projects currently under development?+

Yes. Stakeholder consultation sessions are integrated into Module 4 and in project clinics prior to the final project defences.

Partners and organisers

Implementing organisation: Visionest Institute (Estonia)
Donor: ESTDEV — Estonian Centre for International Development
Key Ukrainian partners: Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration · Regional Development Agency of Zhytomyr Region

The program is funded by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV). The content of this page is the sole responsibility of Visionest Institute and does not necessarily reflect the views of the donor.

Contacts

Project Coordinator

Mariia Polianovska

mariia.polianovska@visionest.institute

Write to Mariia

Project Manager

Pavlo Cherchatyi

pavlo.cherchatyi@visionest.institute

Write to Pavlo

Apply for the training program

Municipal officials, specialists, council members and local business or NGO representatives from the 11 participating hromadas are welcome to apply.

Training applications will open soon — please check back for the registration link.