As part of the Swiss-Ukrainian project “Cohesion and Regional Development of Ukraine” (UCORD), a two-day training titled “Project Concept: From Ideas to Solutions with the UCORD IT Tool — the KROKUS Online Learning Platform”was held. The event brought together representatives of 11 Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), including both pilot and non-pilot regions.
The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of RDAs to develop high-quality public investment projects, enhance practical skills in using the KROKUS platform, and create a space for knowledge exchange and professional networking. An important outcome was not only the development of concrete project ideas, but also the formation of a pool of professionals who can serve as mentors to their stakeholders in the regions.
“At the heart of the KROKUS platform is, above all, the individual and their idea. KROKUS is a tool that helps develop that idea and turn it into a successful outcome. It is important that after this training, you return to your regions and transform the knowledge gained into practical value for communities, businesses, and civil society organizations—becoming hubs of expertise and opportunity for development,” said Maryna Bryl, UCORD Project Leader.
KROKUS is a digital platform of the UCORD project that guides users step by step in transforming ideas into high-quality project concepts, ready for funding and implementation.
The training had a strong practical focus. On the first day, participants explored approaches to project development and the platform’s functionality, while on the second day they worked in teams to develop their own concepts and presented them in a pitching format.
The final day marked the culmination of the training—a space for ideas, solutions, and practical outcomes. Participants presented project concepts addressing current challenges and the development needs of their regions. Among them were initiatives in the following areas:
- development of healthcare infrastructure, expanding access to services, and supporting professional communities in the medical field;
- tourism development, including the creation of regional tourism clusters and routes;
- support for the processing industry and fostering business collaboration;
- strengthening export potential and promoting craft production;
- development and promotion of regional brands;
- creation of an inclusive, barrier-free environment and implementation of socially important educational initiatives;
- preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage;
- community support through local institutional development;
- implementation of solutions to improve the quality of distance learning.
Special attention was given to participants’ feedback on the KROKUS platform—these insights will serve as a foundation for its further improvement.
The training demonstrated that KROKUS is not merely a digital tool, but a comprehensive working environment that helps structure ideas, develop high-quality project concepts, and enhance the overall culture of project-based thinking at the regional level.
The event concluded with the awarding of certificates to participants; however, the work on the projects continues, including their further refinement, development, and implementation in the regions.
The UCORD project is implemented with the support of Switzerland by NIRAS Sweden AB.