Press_release1

1. PRESS RELEASE
The European Union is made up of 28 countries and the people of those countries.
It is a unique political and economic partnership founded on the values of respect
for human dignity, freedom, equality, the rule of law and human rights. Over more
than fifty years we have created a zone of peace, democracy, stability and
prosperity on our continent while maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and
individual freedoms. The EU looks to share its values and achievements with
neighbouring countries and peoples and those farther afield.
Delegation of the European Union to
Ukraine
Address:
101 Volodymyrska Street
01033 Kyiv, Ukraine
Tel: +38 044 39 08 010
Fax: +38 044 39 08 015
Lutsk, 25 February 2016
EU supports Volyn region in developing rural areas
On 25th
February the international seminar «Ways to improve the use of the drained lands in Volyn region»
took place in Lutsk. The event was organised by the EU-funded project “Recovery of amelioration network to
boost economic growth in rural areas of Volyn region”. Its participants discussed the ways to enhance social
and economic development of rural areas through effective use of drained lands for agricultural production.
"The effectiveness of agricultural production largely depends on climate conditions. In this regard reclamation
works are quite important, particularly land drainage in the area of excessive moisture. In Volyn region, 38% of
the total agricultural lands are drained lands due to large-scale reclamation activities performed in the second
half of the 20th
century”. - says Nataliya Krolik, deputy head of Department for International Cooperation and
European Integration, Volyn Regional State Administration, - “In the last decades, the works to maintain
amelioration facilities were ceased. Today the majority of the network is not fulfilling its functions. Canals
became silted up and overgrown with trees, shrubs, grass. The EU project will help to solve these problems in 8
villages of Kovel and Ratne districts. This will be a significant contribution to improving the quality of life in rural
areas of Volyn region".
During the seminar the EU-funded project “Recovery of amelioration network to boost economic growth in
rural areas of Volyn region” presented the results of its work in September 2014 to February 2016. During this
period the project cleaned and restored over 85 km of reclamation canals, held 8 workshops on effective
technologies for drained lands use for owners of farms, and provided 20 lessons on careful attitude to
amelioration facilities at secondary schools of Ratne and Kovel districts in Volyn region. The project team also
demonstrated the results of agrochemical, pedological, hydrogeologic and soil amelioration research
performed within the project.
Dutch and Belarus experts shared their experience in recovering amelioration networks. The seminar was as
well attended by the experts of the EU-funded project «Support to Ukraine’s Regional Development Policy»,
representatives of local self-government authorities, structural subdivisions of Regional State Administration,
territorial divisions of government establishments, specialised scientific institutions and universities.
For more information about the project, please contact: Iryna Dubnyak, project manager assistant, tel.:
+38 050-6788010, e-mail: pumba24@mail.ru
Background information: The EU-funded project «Recovery of amelioration network to boost economic growth in
rural areas of Volyn region» is implemented within the EU Programme «Support to Ukraine’s Regional Development
Policy» with the budget of €1,5 million. The coordinator of the project is Department for International Cooperation
and European Integration of Volyn Regional State Administration. To learn more about the project, please visit:
www.amelvolyn.com.ua
Project is implemented
by Volyn Regional State
Administration
Address: 9, Kyivskyy Maidan
43010 Lutsk, Ukraine
Tel.: + 380 332 778 248
Fax: + 380 332 778 221