The last part of the seminar aimed to equip municipal leaders, NGOs, and centre-right politicians from Ukraine with tools to cultivate thriving local businesses. Experts from Hungary presented the successful “Bridge to Benefits” program, demonstrating how to make small and medium-sized enterprises more sustainable.  Throughout this seminar we also covered the process of turning ideas into concrete projects, drawing on the experience of the Interreg “NatGate” initiative. Recognizing also the challenges faced by communities, the seminar also covered best practices in recovery and development planning, informed by the ongoing reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.  Participants weren’t just passive observers; they also shared their own ongoing projects and ideas, receiving valuable feedback from the trainers on how to further refine their ideas.  The seminar even explored how municipalities can leverage EU grants to forge international partnerships and share knowledge. The discussions acknowledged the complex geopolitical context surrounding Ukraine’s reconstruction, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of the challenges and opportunities. 

Parties involved: Ukraine (18): Batkivschyna (BATK) (1), European Solidarity (ES) (4), Municipality (13).