The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a list of indicators and requirements to classify Ukrainian communities into different functional territory types. This decision introduces an important tool for regional state policy: an analytical framework that will enable territories to be developed in a targeted manner, based on a precise understanding of their condition and needs.

Oleksii Riabykin, Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, explained that this decision paves the way for a more thorough and honest evaluation of each community’s situation:

‘This creates an analytical framework for regional policy and allows for a comprehensive assessment of each community’s potential, challenges and needs, taking into account demographic factors, economic development and the impact of the war,’ he said.

According to the Deputy Minister, the new approach will enable the state to provide more targeted support to territories in need.

Functional types of territories (FTT) cover a wide range of realities in which communities live today:

• – those in need of restoration after war damage;
• – rural and mountainous areas;
• – communities with high forest cover;
• – territories affected by man-made disasters;
• – centres of regional growth.

The introduction of this system forms part of Ukraine’s fulfilment of its obligations under Section 22 of the negotiation process with the EU.

According to Oleksii Riabykin, in 2025 the Ministry for Development will determine the composition of communities by functional territory type. A targeted programmatic approach to development and recovery will then be implemented for each FTT and macro-region.