The East Europe Foundation and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Project Coordinator in Ukraine awarded two new projects at more than $45,000 to support the growth of small and medium businesses in Slavutych, in the Kyiv oblast and in Bar, in the Vinnytsia oblast through their joint Local Economic Development (LEAD) program.
To stimulate employment in rural areas of the Vinnytsia oblast by promoting green tourism and traditional crafts, the Union to Promote Green Tourism in Ukraine, a Bar, Vinnytsia oblast based NGO, will use their $22,721 grant to help local communities improve local entrepreneurship through tourism. EEF also awarded a $23,140 grant to the Slavutych City Foundation for Entrepreneurs’ Support to modernize business development procedures by computerizing government regulations, including permit applications. For more information click here.

East Europe Foundation president Andrew Wilson spoke to the European Business Association (EBA) Corporate Social Responsibility Committee July 29 on the challenges of promoting CSR in Ukraine’s regions. In his presentation, Mr. Wilson stressed that the development of CSR is critical for Ukraine, particularly in the regions. The continued development of the non-profit sector depends on CSR since international aid agencies are shifting priorities to other countries, Mr. Wilson noted. Based on international practice, regional CSR development can have a substantial impact on the socio-economic development of Ukraine. He illustrated his presentation with examples of successful programs developed by EEF in cooperation with local businesses, authorities, NGOs and communities. “EEF has found a method that is effective in creating sustainable public-private CSR partnerships. It is a three-pronged approach, by which local authorities, NGOs and businesses work together to solve local challenges,” Mr. Wilson said. Participants followed the presentations with a question and answer session on prospects for future development and recommendations.

Simone Kozuharov joins EFF as Communications Manager to oversee public and media relations. Previously, Simone served as the Ukraine communications officer at Eastern European Outreach, a charitable foundation working with at-risk children and foster families. Prior to that, she worked as a journalist in Russia, where she covered business and the AIDS crisis before becoming an editor for Russia's premier English-language, real-time newswire. She has been involved in Ukraine for more than 10 years. Ms. Kozuharov graduated from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School of Journalism with a degree in print journalism and Russian.

Telenor Ukraine and the East Europe Foundation have awarded a grant to the Agency for Economic Development of the city of Voznesensk to introduce a system of organic waste management to help the local community separate organic waste to produce compost and fuel pellets. The grantee will install a new energy-efficient boiler in a municipal building. Supported by Telenor Ukraine and the U.S. Agency for International Development through Eurasia Foundation, this project will introduce alternative energy sources and help protect the environment.

 On July 10, Victor Liakh, Executive Director met with the Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown MP to present the results of the John Smith Fellowship Program 2008.  Mr. Liakh, a John Smith Fellow, also presented EEF’s program on “Opportunities for Underprivileged Youth” to representatives of the Department for Constitutional Affairs, the John Smith Memorial Trust and the British Council at 10 Downing Street in London.

The Creative Union of Scientific and Engineering Societies of Crimea will develop and promote solar power technology. Click here for the full announcement.

In July 2008, EEF joined the Global Compact in Ukraine, a network-based initiative that promotes responsible corporate citizenship and enlists the support of the business sector to achieve a more sustainable and equitable global economy. Click here for more information.

The East Europe Foundation (EEF) announced today that it will award the Small Business Laboratory of Slavutich city with a $22,487 grant to work with local public officials to implement energy saving applications for municipal buildings. Continue reading.