Under the leadership of the Institute for National Strategy Research – and with the participation of partners including the Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County Council, the Tisza European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation, the Satu Mare County Intercommunity Development Association, and the Association of Local Border Authorities of Transcarpathia – the European project Planning4U was launched on January 1, 2025, under the motto “PARTNERSHIP WITHOUT BORDERS.”
This initiative focuses on analyzing the socio-economic impact of the Russo-Ukrainian war on the region, the consequences of administrative reforms in Ukraine, establishing development directions for the border region, and fostering cross-border cooperation. The project is co-financed through the Interreg VI-A NEXT Hungary–Slovakia–Romania–Ukraine Program 2021-2027, with the European Union contributing a total of EUR 600,327.63, and the implementation will be completed by December 31, 2026.
The Planning4U project targets the border region between Hungary, Romania, and Ukraine, with a particular focus on the microregions of Transcarpathia. As a result of the war, Transcarpathia’s role within Ukraine has become much more important, as – being the country’s westernmost region – it has also become the safest. Over the past three years, Transcarpathia has undergone significant socio-economic transformations: it has been characterized by a strong migration process, with several Ukrainian companies relocating their headquarters and production activities to this region, leading to economic growth – contrary to national trends. Thus, the region has become Ukraine’s western gateway, not only geographically but also economically.
At the same time, the border areas included in the project are located on the periphery of the three involved countries, sharing very similar environmental and social conditions, which accentuate their interdependence.
The recent administrative reform in Ukraine requires newly established local authorities to develop development plans in line with national and regional strategic documents. However, in many cases, the authorities lack the necessary knowledge, expertise, and resources. Moreover, due to the war, Transcarpathia and neighboring regions in the EU are facing new challenges and opportunities. Therefore, it is necessary to update development plans for the 2021-2027 period and assess the socio-economic situation of the HU-RO-UA region and cross-border cooperations.
The overall objective of the project is to develop cross-border development plans and impact studies for the Hungary-Romania-Ukraine border area, as a response to the lack of institutional capacities, the administrative reform in Ukraine, and the challenges generated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war. The partnership network and joint actions will contribute to strengthening cooperation between regions, transferring knowledge, and eliminating legal obstacles and other difficulties.
Within the project, development plans and cross-border impact assessments will be carried out in Transcarpathia and Satu Mare County, alongside training courses in territorial development, project management, and project writing. These activities will support the strengthening of cross-border institutional and business relations and facilitate Ukraine’s preparation for European Union accession. The individuals participating in the training will be able to develop and implement development plans, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the region.
As a result of the project, 14 development plans for microregions in Transcarpathia will be prepared, providing local authorities with the necessary foundation for drafting strategic documents required by legislation. Additionally, in Satu Mare County, development plans for 3 border towns will be developed. The synthesis of these documents will support future joint planning activities in the program area and, in general, in the European Union.
According to Szász Jenő, president of the Institute for National Strategy Research, the need for the development of plans has been consistently expressed by partners in Transcarpathia, particularly by the Beregovo District Council and the Association of Local Border Authorities in Transcarpathia. After the outbreak of the war, this need became even more evident. “These requests were later confirmed in discussions with the regional leadership in Uzhhorod. Considering that analyzing the new socio-economic situation in Transcarpathia and developing a development strategy based on it is fully aligned with the mission of our Institute, we decided to take on this challenge. We also found partners for this activity, to whom I am grateful for their collaboration, as well as the Joint Secretariat of the Program for the support provided,” added the president of NSKI.
This press release was produced with the financial support of the European Union. The Institute for National Strategy Research takes full responsibility for its content, which does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union.