Estonian programme helps 11 Ukrainian municipalities turn development plans into investment projects

The Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and Visionest Institute have launched Impact.Zhytomyr 3.0, a new capacity-building programme that will support 11 municipalities in Zhytomyr Oblast in strengthening strategic planning, developing investment-ready projects, and improving local management capabilities. 

The initiative comes at a critical time for Ukrainian local governments, which continue to balance wartime challenges with the need to plan for recovery and future development. Through the programme, participating municipalities will either develop new development strategies or update existing ones, while also preparing concrete projects that can compete for international funding. 

"Practical project development is an essential skill for the sustainable development of local governments," said Andrea Kivi, CEO of ESTDEV. "This growth must stem from real local needs to ensure future development strategies align with recovery and growth objectives. With Impact.Zhytomyr 3.0, we want to give Zhytomyr municipalities the skills and confidence to bridge today's crisis management with a long-term vision." 

According to Kivi, the ultimate goal is to help municipalities create strong projects capable of attracting international investment, supporting community recovery, and improving residents' quality of life. 

During the programme, municipalities will conduct local needs assessments and environmental impact analyses, which will serve as the foundation for development strategies and action plans. Communities that already have strategic plans in place will focus on implementation, updating priorities, and transforming ideas into fundable investment projects. 

The programme builds on the success of two previous editions that have already strengthened local development capacity across the region. 

In 2024, more than 280 local government representatives from 64 communities participated in the first cycle of Impact.Zhytomyr. The programme generated over 60 project concepts, while 17 project teams received additional mentoring to further develop their proposals. 

The second phase, Impact.Zhytomyr 2.0, focused on strategic planning and practical project development. The programme achieved a 93% completion rate and resulted in 14 advanced projects that were presented to international funders and development partners at a final forum in Kyiv. Several participating municipalities have already begun applying for international funding opportunities or preparing submissions for donor calls. 

For Anu-Mall Naarits, CEO of Visionest Institute, the programme's value lies in ensuring that strategies become practical tools rather than formal documents. 

"A development strategy must not remain just a document in a desk drawer," said Naarits. "It must be a practical tool used to plan next steps, engage partners, and guide regional development long after our cooperation ends." 

Zhytomyr Oblast remains one of Estonia's key partner regions in Ukraine. Alongside investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and housing, Estonia has increasingly focused on strengthening local governance and municipal capacity. The approach reflects a broader recognition that successful recovery depends not only on rebuilding physical infrastructure, but also on empowering communities to lead their own development. 

With Impact.Zhytomyr 3.0, Estonia aims to help municipalities convert development plans into tangible projects and investments, ensuring that recovery efforts create lasting economic and social impact well beyond the end of the war.