A delegation from Kryvyi Rih Raion conducted a working visit to Lublin (Poland) to explore practical tools for attracting investment and implementing intermunicipal projects. The visit was initiated by the Executive Committee of the Kryvyi Rih City Council within the framework of the project KRYTSIA: Support for the recovery of Kryvyi Rih Raion, funded by The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by LuxDev – the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency – in partnership with Proman and the NDI.
The delegation included representatives of city, raion, and regional authorities, development institutions, and communities of Kryvyi Rih Raion. This composition ensured not only exposure to best practices, but also alignment on next steps at the regional level.
In Lublin, the team focused on practical cases. At the City Hall and the Marshal’s Office of the Lublin Voivodeship, participants examined how strategic planning is structured and how regional authorities support municipalities in accessing EU funding. Particular attention was given to infrastructure solutions designed to serve multiple communities simultaneously. The Lublin bus station stood out as an example of an agglomeration-level investment that addresses transport, environmental, and logistical needs across a wider area.
Field visits to the gminas of Strzyżewice and Niedrzwica Duża demonstrated how such cooperation works in practice. Communities retain their autonomy and identity while gaining access to the resources and capacities needed to implement large-scale projects that would be difficult to achieve individually.
This approach is particularly relevant for Kryvyi Rih Raion. The agglomeration model enables access to a different scale of projects — from joint energy solutions to an integrated transport network and major infrastructure serving the entire region.
Petro Sehedii, Head of Sofiivska Community, emphasized that agglomeration is about partnership, not loss of autonomy: “Each community remains independent but gains greater development opportunities. It is about uniting around a shared vision and delivering tangible results.”
The insights gained during the visit will inform the development of joint investment projects and strengthen cooperation among communities within the Kryvyi Rih agglomeration.
