Ministry drafts project to divide Ukraine into ten functional zones

"They [functional zones] are identified comprehensively and make it possible to distribute money not only among regions but among functional territories as well. For example, the first zone is the mountain territories of the Ukrainian Carpathians. It includes several regions that we need to develop. Next, there is a macro-region ‘Azov-Black Sea’, comprising the coasts of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. They share the same problems. Then, for example, we have regional border zones. They are different in the east and in the west as the latter have better conditions. There are also single-industry towns, mining regions that require a completely different approach," Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine Oleksiy Chernyshov announced, the Ministry’s press service informs.

According to him, the division of Ukraine’s territory into ten functional types gives economic benefits to residents of different regions and will allow for more efficient development of regions.

For the first time, the regions will be divided according to the similarity of socio-economic characteristics and without reference to the established borders.

The minister noted that funds should be channeled not into the regions, as it was before, but into the territories. After all, one region may have cities and villages that require completely different approaches to development strategy.

Chernyshov also named the functional types of territories within the state regional policy until 2027:

1. Mountain territories of the Ukrainian Carpathians

2. Macroregion "Azov-Black Sea"

3. Border regions

4. Border areas in adverse conditions

5. Temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine

6. Areas of conservation interest (Emerald Network)

7. Urban agglomerations

8. Economic development centers

9. Old single-industry towns

10. Rural areas in adverse conditions

Projects for these functioning areas are already being drafted.

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