Ensuring the Strategy Doesn't Remain on Paper: How Odessa Is Planning Its Development

On September 12, the Odesa Strategy Conference 2026 was held through the efforts of civil society organizations. The one-day event brought together more than 140 participants and 40 experts from local government, the business community, civil society, and academic and professional circles.

PHOTO: Odesa Strategy Conference 2026

This event marked the first public discussion of the city’s development strategy. The strategy was approved in February of this year and covers the period from 2026 to 2027. Since July, 25 civil society organizations—including the “DOBRO” Community Development Fund, the “ZMISTOM” NGO, and the “Odesa Strategy” Public Association—have been actively participating in discussions about the strategy and planning its implementation.

The conference consisted of an opening session, eight parallel panels, and a final discussion on the city’s development strategy. Presumably, the strategic goal of organizing the panels was to bring together quite diverse groups of Odessa residents within a single event and to raise real issues facing the city. In particular, some panels were dedicated to veterans’ issues and youth work in Odessa.

Of course, the purpose of the conference was to hold a public discussion of the Odessa Development Strategy. It is important to understand that the development strategies of individual Ukrainian cities are components of Ukraine’s national Development Strategy. In other words, the Strategy is a document that must be implemented. Furthermore, the Strategy serves as a key document for the subsequent formulation of the city budget. This last point is very important. It effectively encourages various segments of the population to become more actively involved in the work on the Strategy. According to Andriy Rozov, head of the Department of Economic Development, there has already been feedback from businesses that have taken an interest in the Strategy.

Andriy Rozov. PHOTO: Odesa Strategy Conference 2026

One of the challenges that representatives of civil society organizations and city authorities are currently trying to address is uniting different segments of the city around the Strategy and convincing them of its value. In particular, Oleksandr Slavskyi, a member of the Odesa City Council and one of the founders of the “Odesa Strategy” civic association, called on conference participants to join their civic initiative or to create their own civic associations to work for the good of the city. To ensure effective work, it is necessary to establish clear, systematic communication between the government, representatives of active civil society, the business community, and other influential groups. It is also necessary to make the Strategy as public as possible so that it does not become just another document for internal bureaucratic use. Only then will the Strategy have a chance of success.

Oleksandr Slavskyi. PHOTO: Odesa Strategy Conference 2026

Civic activist and entrepreneur Volodymyr Oros emphasized that, at this stage, the Strategy should be viewed not as the result of efforts, but as a gradual process. He shared his experience that the launch of the strategy in the Donetsk region led people to communicate more actively and join forces. In his view, this is exactly how things should unfold in Odesa as well. First, research must be conducted to assess the current state of affairs. Next, indicators must be identified that will allow for an objective evaluation of the Strategy’s effectiveness. This will help make the document public, as it will enable the general public to monitor the Strategy’s implementation. The openness and transparency of the process will help engage more and more people in the Strategy. “We are ready to continue holding regular meetings, involve experts, and propose solutions,” said Volodymyr Oros.

Volodymyr Oros. PHOTO: Odesa Strategy Conference 2026

Thus, the first public meeting on the Odesa Development Strategy has taken place. It is clear that work on the Strategy is ongoing. Perhaps its effectiveness will depend precisely on our collective efforts and attention.

This article was prepared by Intent as part of a partnership within the “Circle of Influence” project. The editorial team independently determines the content, focus, and conclusions of this publication.

The initiative is being implemented by the NGO “Community Development Fund ‘DOBRO’” in collaboration with the NGO “STEP” as part of the “Circle of Influence” project, with support from NED. Project partners: the NGO “Zmistom,” the Public Association “Odessa Strategy,” the Odesa City Council’s Department of Economic Development, the Odesa City Council’s Department of Labor and Social Policy, the social communications agency “Shchiro,” and the media outlet “Intent.”

Валерій Болган