The Cabinet of Ministers and the European Commission, acting on behalf of EU, have signed the agreement on funding the decentralization program “U-LEAD with Europe: programs for Ukraine on extending rights and opportunities at local level, reporting and development” for the amount of EUR 97 mln, Economic Truth reports.

The document was signed by the Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Regional Development, Construction and Housing and Communal Services Henadii Zubko and Head of “Support Group for Ukraine” at European Commission Peter Wagner.

The new program, envisaged within this agreement, is designed for 4 years and aimed at supporting the reform of local self-government, decentralization and regional development.

The realization of agreement will be accomplished through implementation of two components.

The first will be the strengthening of potential for realization of reforms of decentralization and regional policy and will be realized by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) for the total amount of EUR 65 mln.

In particular, it is suggested conducting training for local authorities at all levels; conducting subject consultations on questions, related to regional economic development, investments, provision of services in relevant spheres;  authorities’ ethics and reliability training at all levels in order to improve institutional capabilities of state officials; training on project cycle management, maintaining the consultative dialogue with citizens and other interested parties.

The second component will be the creation of effective centers for provision of administrative services and increasing awareness of the population about the local self-government, which will be realized by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) for the total amount of EUR 30.5 mln.

In particular, the works on reconstruction of centers of administrative services and purchase of equipment and holding informational campaigns about activities of local authorities are envisaged.

The European Union and its members (Germany, Sweden, Poland) will realize the program in Ukraine through GIZ and SIDA.

The formation of funds of the program: EU – EUR 60 mln, Germany – EUR 6 mln, Sweden – EUR 30 mln, Poland – EUR 1 mln.