September 6 , Vinnytsya : UN Development Programme  has presented a  Self-Assessment Tool for Sustainable  Local Development  at the International Conference "The Strategic Planning Process at the Local Level." More than 50 representatives of international organisations from 7 countries and cities of regional importance of Ukraine took part in the International Conference devoted to  territorial communities development and strategic planning at the local level. The conference was  held at the 650- day anniversary of Vinnytsya municipality.

Self-Assessment Tool for Sustainable  Local Development  (SAT4SLD) was developed by UNDP Bratislava Regional Center to help local governments assess their current situation, reach a consensus among local actors on the ways to local sustainable development and resolving the  issues of governance and socio- economic and environmental issues.

SAT4SLD  is a modern approach to planning  based on self-assessment and helps to create a long-term development strategy. SAT4SLD includes three phases: situation analysis, problem identification and asset-based monitoring  (natural, human , financial and other capital). Today, the tool is piloted in big municipalities  of Uzbekistan and 9 municipalities  of Macedonia. In Ukraine the tool is piloted in Antratsit rayon  (village Bobrykove ) in Luhansk Oblast and Hlukhivsky rayon (village Nekrasove) in Sumy region in context  of the EU/ UNDP Project "Community-Based Approach to Local Development  CBA - II".

One distinguishing feature is the tool’s emphasis on social inclusion and environmental sustainability, while still addressing socio-economic development of the region. These are not addressed as separate issues, but rather issues that should be considered throughout in every action resulting from the planning process.

What may distinguish SAT4SLD from other methodologies is the emphasis on collective action. Collective action is voluntary coordinated activity to the benefit of the common interests of many individual actors or institutions. It requires trust between the groups and confidence of the groups in their own ability. At the local level, there are numerous challenges that are best resolved through collective action and it is local governments that have the convening power to bring public, private, and non-governmental stakeholders together, as well as to interface with other tiers of government.

During the conference, Iryna Skaliy, UNDP Project Manager introduced a SAT4SLD and experience of its application  in Ukraine . The municipalities of  Lviv  and Mykolaiv expressed interest in piloting the tool.

The conference participants got acquainted with the new Strategy of "Vinnytsya- 2020" adopted on September 2 by local councilors of Vinnytsia City Council.  According to the Strategy, in 2020 Vinnytsya has a goal to become a city of smiling people. In fact, the acronym SMILE has signs of what Vinnytsya aspires to reach.

SMILE CITY for citizens means:

Strong community - to participate in development of strong and active community.

Modern City - to be active in modern City with a high quality infrastructure.

Interesting City - to live in interesting City, comfortable and convenient.

Liveable City - to feel welfare of livable City with quality health and social services.

Energetic City - to use energy of the City with economic prosperity

Strategy “Vinnytsia- 2020” formed five main priorities.  

Priority 1 – A strong community built

Priority 2 – Economic development with high and quality employment.

Priority 3 – Environmental sustainability and improvement of communal services.

Priority 4 – Social quality.

Priority 5 – Coherent urban and spatial development.