Do you already know all the regions covered by the Interreg NEXT Programme Poland – Ukraine 2021-2027? If not, we invite you to our series of short articles – today we take you to the west of Ukraine, to the unique Zakarpattya oblast!
Zakarpattya is a unique Programme region, located at the crossroads of four European countries: Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Poland. Its complex history, influenced by various cultures and empires, has created a unique mosaic of languages and traditions. Its geographic position in proximity to European capitals makes the region open to cooperation, dialogue, and experience exchange. Because of its mild, warm climate and numerous sunny days, Zakarpattya is often described as “sunny land”. The nature is lavish; the land produces a variety of fruits. The visitors are attracted by breath-taking sceneries, charming towns and castles and well-preserved traditions.
The region is a true gem for tourists. More than 80% of its territory is covered by mountains, stretching from northwest to southeast, covered with mixed forests, rivers, waterfalls, and picturesque natural lakes. Unique ecosystems are preserved in three national parks—Uzhanskyi, Synevyr, and Enchanted Land, as well as in the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, which is part of UNESCO’s global network.
Zakarpattya is considered one of Ukraine’s top destinations for health and wellness. Its unique mineral springs and thermal waters, fresh mountain air, and unforgettable landscapes attract tourists year-round. It is home to Dragobrat—the highest ski resort in Ukraine—and Lake Synevyr, the largest and most mystical lake in the Carpathians., along with the beauty of Carpathian nature, attract tourists year-round. Dragobrat is the highest-altitude ski resort in Ukraine, and Synevyr Lake is the largest mountain lake in Ukraine, located at the height of 989 m above sea.
The region’s past is reflected in its unique architecture, with 12 castles, each sharing its fascinating story. There are also ancient churches, including wooden ones, two of which are UNESCO-listed, which tell stories of centuries, people, and events. Many towns preserve original layouts from various periods and styles. One can plunge into the past and learn more about the past of this region in the numerous museums including open-air ones.
Zakarpattya is a land of living traditions. People here still weave with willow, embroider, weave textiles, and sing the way it was done centuries ago. And, of course, they cook! Local cuisine is a unique blend of culinary traditions from the peoples who have lived here: Hungarians, Slovaks, Romanians, Jews, Germans, and Ukrainians. The dishes are vibrant, spicy and nourishing. Every village has its own way of cooking, which is why culinary festivals have become an integral part of the cultural calendar, each event dedicated to specific foods such as stuffed cabbage rolls, lekvar (a special plum jam), bryndza cheese, fish soup, honey, wine, apples etc.
Zakarpattya is also a land of winemakers. The winemaking is a continuing tradition and local wines are flavourful, natural, and worthy of the most discerning palates. The region is also famous for quality local eco-products such as cheese, honey, herbal teas and many other products.
Recent years have seen a revival of cultural life, with dozens of initiatives in tourism, culture, and creative industries. Zakarpattya is increasingly becoming a filming location for Ukrainian and international films, highlighting its growing creative potential.
Economically, the region thrives in sectors such as timber harvesting and processing, food and beverage production, mechanical engineering, spa and wellness services, tourism, and agriculture. Enterprises founded with investments from well-known international companies operate successfully here, underscoring the region’s economic attractiveness. Numerous banks and their branches, chambers of commerce and industry and other market infrastructure institutions operate here.
Zakarpattya is a region where history and modernity, nature and humanity, tradition and innovation come together in harmony, creating a unique space for living, growth, and discovery.
Population: 1.3 million people
PROJECTS
Although Zakarpattya has no border crossing with Poland, in recent years it has managed to establish strong cross-border ties with Polish regions and implement a number of successful initiatives. Projects implemented within Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2014-2020 (PBU) covered all thematic objectives and priorities.
PBU PROJECTS IN ZAKARPATTYA
*the budget and co-financing relate only partners from the Zakarpattya oblast
Thanks to the RRTB project, people suffering from tuberculosis were able to receive qualified medical care in accordance with modern methods. Another medical project, HealthyCities, focused on school students. As part of it, school health posts were renovated and primary examinations were conducted among children.
Well-being of people is impossible without proper treatment of homeless animals. The CBC4animals project set a new quality standard in this area and proposed a number of innovative solutions. The newly built animal control centre in Vynohradiv has become a place where up to a hundred four-legged friends receive the necessary medical services and can find new owners.
Zakarpattya is an initiator of innovative solutions in other areas as well – for example, the Uzhhorod-based NGO FORZA initiated the SUMCITYNET project, which generated new solutions in the field of better accessibility of cities.
The region has also implemented a number of interesting projects, where the rich cultural and natural heritage has become the ground for tourism development. Examples of such projects are BRAND, aimed at promoting the Uzhhorod district, HISTrength, which popularizes the historical heritage of Khust, WoodenTreasure, which solves the problems of preserving and promoting wooden sacral architecture, the WineAcademy project, which was engaged in popularizing the heritage of winemaking in this region. The CarpathianSky project is unique in its kind, offering a completely new type of tourism – stargazing in the Uzhhorod National Park. As part of another project – CarpathianBee, another interesting tourist attraction appeared here – an open-air museum-apiary and a number of measures were taken to preserve the autochthonous breed of bees – the Carpathian bee.
As part of Rosettes project, a culture and art centre was built in the village of Kolochava, which became a place for cultural events and art classes for children. The 2cultures and HemarHeritage projects focused on theatrical heritage. The children’s and youth theatre groups staged plays based on the works of Polish playwrights – “The Dog That Broke the Chain” and “The Miracle of Poor People”. Another project – Moviecities was an attempt to see cities through the eyes of teenagers and tell about tourist attractions through cinema and animation. The unique traditions and history of the Lemkos were researched and popularized as part of the EthnoTour project.
The SECINCARP project provided security in the region, which purchased fire engines and improved the skills of rescuers.
PL-UA PROJECTS IN ZAKARPATTYA
*the budget and co-financing relate only partners from the Zakarpattya oblast
In the new phase of the Interreg NEXT Poland-Ukraine 2021-2027 Programme, 10 regular projects in the priorities HEALTH and ENVIRONMENT, as well as 3 large infrastructure projects (LIPs) in the priorities ENVIRONMENT and ACCESSIBILITY will be implemented in the region.
Two LIPs in the priority ENVIRONMENT have already started implementation. UP2FireSafety is a unique initiative, as it unites four Ukrainian oblasts (Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Zakarpattya and Ternopil) and the Podkarpacie Voivodeship in Poland and aims to create a joint Ukrainian-Polish integrated system for monitoring, preventing and responding to forest fires in the Carpathian region. Thanks to WATER LIP, the water supply and sewage systems in Svalyava will be improved, which will have a positive impact on the environment.
Similar activities are also planned in two regular projects – Water4Life and RiverCare. Within WaterGardens project, activities include the development of a joint concept of actions for adaptation to climate change, the modernization of existing and the creation of new environmental monitoring systems, as well as the creation of a threats map for Uzhhorod.
Two projects are being implemented in the field of environmental protection and biodiversity in the Zakarpattya region. BioGreenInfra develops green infrastructure around hospitals, creates therapeutic gardens and green alleys, and also conducts joint research and training on environmental topics. Youth4EcoEdu will conduct a comprehensive audit of national natural parks, the results of which will become the basis for the development of effective strategies for their restoration. Interactive educational centres are also being created on both sides of the border, which will turn learning into an interesting adventure
SAFETY project, in which the Kolochava Village Council is a partner, aims to increase the safety of the environment and the population of border areas by strengthening the capabilities and increasing the efficiency of services during rescue operations. The project will create 2 modular safety centers, purchase rescue equipment and 3 fire and rescue vehicles, and the partners will organise joint training.
The quality of medical services will be improved thanks to the Future4Kids, NonInvasiveCare, CROSSDIAM and RescueFirstAid projects. The initiatives include the reconstruction of the operating room, the purchase of modern medical and rescue equipment, as well as joint activities to improve the competence of medical personnel, including joint trainings, conferences and study visits.
To get to know this unique region even better, we invite you to a conversation with Vasyl Ivancho, First Deputy Head of Zakarpattya Oblast State Administration, who is a member of the Programme Monitoring Committee.
Looking back at Zakarpattya Oblast’s previous experience in the Programme, how would you assess the results of project implementation and the region’s overall involvement?
A number of interesting and innovative projects are being implemented in Zakarpattya during the current programming period. Which of them, in your opinion, will have the most significant long-term impact?
In your opinion, which areas hold the greatest potential for cooperation between institutions in Zakarpattya and their Polish partners? Which regional needs can be addressed through international projects, and at the same time, what can Ukrainian beneficiaries bring to such partnerships?
Zakarpattya does not have a border crossing with Poland, nor does it have long-standing historical or cultural ties. Yet in every edition of the Programme, beneficiaries manage to find common ideas and successfully implement joint projects. What, in your opinion, truly connects Zakarpattya with Polish regions, and what could serve as a reliable foundation for cooperation?
Follow our Programme website – we will publish the next articles of the series “Get to know the PL-UA Programme regions”
You can find previous articles of these series under the following links:
Get to know the PL-UA Programme regions – Podlaskie Voivodeship
Get to know the PL-UA Programme regions – Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast
Get to know the PL-UA Programme regions – Mazowieckie Voivodeship
