Conference “New Approaches to Development and Support of Social Initiative at Rural Community Level” took place 16 February in Kyiv (36, Vasylkivska Street) . It was hosted by Kyiv Oblast Rural Advisory Service. The Conference dealt with social initiatives implemented by rural community organizations.

In view of reduced state funding for culture, education, and health institutions, it is anticipated that NGO activities will increase significantly in this sphere. However, the public sector has no adequate resources to bear the financial burden as a result of distribution or delegation of powers and tasks as well as the necessity of decision making in order to meet special needs. Therefore, local authorities should provide them with financial or material support from budgetary funds.

A number of NGOs were established under the Ukraine Rural Livelihood Programme in Donetsk, Kyiv, Odesa and Luhansk oblasts, including also primary organisations of the NGO “Donetsk Agrarian Development” .