Technical Assistance Project Research Articles

Modernizing Public Health Data Systems and Workforce Capacity: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed governmental public health's outdated information technology and insufficient data science and informatics workforce capacity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program (PHIFP) is well positioned to strengthen public health data science and informatics workforce capacity. Established in 1996, PHIFP is a 2-year, full-time, on-the-job training program. PHIFP includes a didactic curriculum, applied learning through informatics projects completed at the assigned host site, short-term technical assistance projects, and a final capstone project. Fellows have learned from and bolstered host site informatics capacity through the development or enhancement of information systems, evaluations, data integration, data visualization, and analysis. Among recent graduates, 54% are employed at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 16% are employed at other public health organizations, including local health departments. Fellowships such as PHIFP, which recruit and train promising scientists in public health informatics, are important components of efforts to strengthen public health workforce capacity.

Mobile money, food security and coping strategies in a post-conflict and fragile context: evidence from Burundi

PurposeAttaining the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) of zero hunger continues to be a challenge in most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. However, financial inclusion is seen as a potential pathway for reducing food insecurity among poor households. Mobile money is a financial inclusion instrument that is easily accessible to poor households and has the potential to increase the level of financial inclusion. This paper contributes to the literature by examining the determinants of mobile money adoption, its effects on household food security and the choice of coping strategies in Burundi, a post-conflict and fragile country.Design/methodology/approachUsing survey data that involved 860 households in Burundi, we adopted the Household Hunger Scale (HHS) developed under the Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance Project to measure household food security. We further employ the endogenous switching regression treatment effects model for ordered outcomes and the multivariate probit model to achieve our aims.FindingsThe results of our study reveal that the adoption of mobile money is influenced by factors such as gender, marital status, age, formal education, membership in a social network, area of residence and access to a tarred road network. Additionally, the food security status of a household was determined by marital status, formal education, social network membership, access to tarred roads, off-farm income, access to credit and land tenure security. We confirm that mobile money adoption has a significantly positive effect on the food security status of households with heterogeneity in gender and area of residence. We also find that mobile money adoption reduces the likelihood of households adopting consumption-related coping strategies.Practical implicationsThe promotion of mobile money should, therefore, be included in Burundi’s national food security policies.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the effect of mobile money adoption on household food security and the choice of coping strategies in a post-conflict context.

The risk factors of development of circulatory system diseases according the results of STEPS-study in Belarus in 2016-2017 and 2019-2020: what was succeeded to change?

The article for the first time analyzes and compares data of STEPS-studies in 2016-2017 and 2019-2020 in Belarus. It demonstrates impact of organizational measures and management decisions at level of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus on monitoring indicators of main risk factors of development of non-communicable diseases based on results of the study. The prospects of impact of risk factors of development of diseases of circulatory system on levels of population morbidity is demonstrated. The STEPS-studies of 2016-2017 and 2019-2020 were carried out by the authors as coordinators for the Brest region. In Belarus, the study was part of set of the UN measures implemented by the WHO targeted to ensuring increase in standard of living and well-being of population of Belarus. In 2016-2020, Belarus implemented project "Prevention of noncommunicable diseases, promotion of a healthy lifestyle and modernization of the healthcare system in the Republic of Belarus" (BELMED), funded by the EU as international technical assistance project. Within this project with the support of the WHO, national study was organized on prevalence of main risk factors of development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in population of the Republic of Belarus aged 18-69 years. The article compares and demonstrates dynamics of indicators of main risk factors of development of diseases of circulatory system (BSC) according STEPS-studies of 2016-2017 and 2019-2020. It is demonstrated that organizational and managerial decisions made on the basis of large-scale studies can affect further prevalence of risk factors of NCDs in population. The problems of prospects for further increasing of incidence of BSC in the Republic of Belarus and their relationship with cardiovascular risks are also highlighted.

ГРАНТИ ПРОЕКТУ МІЖНАРОДНОЇ ТЕХНІЧНОЇ ДОПОМОГИ «НАЙКРАЩІ ДОСТУПНІ ТЕХНОЛОГІЇ ТА МЕТОДИ УПРАВЛІННЯ ДЛЯ УКРАЇНИ»

The article analyzes the grant opportunities of the international technical assistance project "Best Available Techniques and Management Practices for Ukraine" implemented by the Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) on behalf of the German government. It is demonstrated that the project is aimed at business companies in Ukraine that seek to eco-modernize their production facilities. The study analyzes the main objectives and priorities of the Project and its grant program, in particular; identifies the peculiarities of participation of Ukrainian enterprises in the competitive selection of the Program for grant funding; on this basis, recommendations for applicant organizations for obtaining grants for eco-modernization projects have been developed. The study notes that the grant instruments of the international technical assistance project "Best Available Techniques and Management Practices for Ukraine" are aimed at encouraging Ukrainian businesses to eco-modernize even before the full launch of the reform to minimize and control the negative impact of industrial pollution on the environment in Ukraine. It is demonstrated that Ukrainian enterprises that plan to implement from scratch or complete an eco-modernization project can apply for grant funding of up to EUR 1 million. The peculiarity of this financing instrument has been established, namely: projects should combine grants with loans in the amount of 20% to 80%. It is summarized that if Ukrainian organizations can effectively use these grant and loan funds, their projects will contribute to environmental protection and pollution reduction, increase production efficiency and profitability, and increase the competitiveness of enterprises in the Ukrainian and European markets. The successful implementation of the grant program will also play an important role in highlighting the readiness of Ukrainian businesses to attract investment financing for modernization, even in the context of the military conflict, which will signal to international donors and financial organizations the potential and ability of Ukrainian enterprises to receive financial support.

International cooperation for nursing human resource development in Lao PDR: Investing in nursing leadership.

Strengthening nursing leadership in health systems has been identified as a priority for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). We aimed to analyse the characteristics of Japanese technical assistance projects for nursing human resource development in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and suggest directions for future assistance. An upgrading program, as part of human resource development, was initiated in the 1990s; it has contributed to the development of nursing leaders. Moreover, technical assistance from development partners has had synergistic effects by consistently promoting the involvement of nursing leaders in administration, education, and clinical practice to establish a functional regulatory system. In resource-limited settings, the application of both edge-pulling (leadership development) and bottom-up (quality improvement of the mass population) strategies are required. From a long-term perspective, development partners should continue to invest in increasing the number and quality of nursing leaders by upgrading the courses and leadership training programs, starting from the younger generation.

Identifying and Prioritizing Barriers to Climate Technology International Cooperation from the Perspective of Korea

Climate technology development and transfer have gained significant attention as a means to combat climate change and promote sustainable development. However, there is a lack of studies that systematically identify, categorize, and prioritize the barriers to technology transfer, especially within international cooperation projects. This paper addresses this literature gap by conducting an in-depth analysis of closure reports from Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) technical assistance projects and incorporating the perspectives of Korea which has the largest number of CTCN members. The 204 barriers identified from the 77 reports were grouped into 10 categories, and the information and awareness category had the largest number of barriers, followed by the institutional and organizational capacity and the technical categories. When prioritizing the 32 survey responses, the top three difficulties were economic and financial, legal and regulatory; category-level difficulties included ‘technical barriers,’ and sub-category-level difficulties included ‘COVID-19 restrictions’, ‘challenges in gathering good data’, and ‘limited budget.’ These findings will enhance the understanding of policymakers and practitioners on the significance of resource allocation, capacity-building efforts, and risk management strategies to improve the effectiveness of climate technology international cooperation projects.

Concepts, models and features of the development of ecological tourism in the Carpathian region of

The main concepts of ecological tourism are analyzed. Ecotourism models in the world were considered, and the most optimal option for the Carpathian region of Ukraine was proposed. Since the recreational and touristic potential of the Carpathian region is almost limitless for the possibilities of organizing ecological tourism. Ecological tourism is not a separate species, it is a direction of development of the tourism industry, which is based on the principles of sustainable development. Ukraine has significant tourist and recreational potential, and with the right approach, ecological tourism can become one of the locomotives for filling the state treasury. The strengths and weaknesses of the development of ecological tourism in the Carpathian region are given. The strengths are: the presence of naturally protected territories and objects, preserved environment, unique flora and fauna, specialized structures and departments have been created in national parks, forestry companies that are engaged in the arrangement of ecological trails, the favorable geographical location of the region facilitates the creation of interregional and international hiking tours and routes, active cooperation between protected areas and public organizations in the development and implementation of international technical assistance projects. Weaknesses are also identified: there is no uniform marking system of eco-trails in each park, low quality of equipped stops and tourist shelters on eco-trails, lack of the necessary number of instructors, lack of comprehensive information on the possibilities of ecotourism in the region, non-compliance by tourists with the rules of staying in protected areas, a small number of tourist enterprises that offer eco-friendly tours. An analysis of the main problematic issues was made, and the ways of their solution were identified. Keywords: ecological tourism, tourist activity, steady development, natural environment.

10World Bank Inspection Panel: The Inspection Panel Report and Recommendation on a Request for Inspection: Republic of Cameroon Nachtigal Hydropower Project (P157734) and Hydropower Development on the Sanaga River Technical Assistance Project (P157733), Report No. Report No. 176365-cm, 27 September 2022

10World Bank Inspection Panel: The Inspection Panel Report and Recommendation on a Request for Inspection: Republic of Cameroon Nachtigal Hydropower Project (P157734) and Hydropower Development on the Sanaga River Technical Assistance Project (P157733), Report No. Report No. 176365-cm, 27 September 2022

State Deafblind Technical Assistance Project Staffs’ Reported Use and Perceived Skill of Implementing the System of Least Prompts with Students Who Are Deafblind

This study evaluated state deafblind project technical assistance providers (TA) reported use of systematic instruction, specifically the system of least prompts (SLP), and examined perceptions of implementation and accuracy of description of components. In a census, 151 TA providers were asked to report instructional methods used. A majority of respondents reported using systematic response prompting historically. Fewer than half reported providing TA with the goal of increasing others’ use; of this group, 78.9% rated themselves as confident that they could coach others in use of the SLP. Only one respondent accurately answered all questions about components of the SLP. TA providers reported emphasizing modifications and adaptations to the environment based on child characteristics. Instructional methods reportedly employed highlighted child-guided methods. Overall, responses suggested systematic instruction is not commonly or accurately used. We discuss implications of limited use for children with deafblindness, make suggestions to increase use, and suggest future research.

A way forward for climate technology transfer and sustainable development goals

The 2015 Paris Agreement, which was a global effort to address climate change and meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), established the Technology Mechanism Initiative as the key to facilitating technology transfer; however, the target SDGs of this initiative have not been identified. This study reviewed technical assistance (TA) project documents of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), an organization under the Technology Mechanism Initiative, to analyze the general status of climate technology implementation, identify the targeted SDGs using sectoral classification, and examine the current national SDG statuses of TA-participating countries. While sectoral classifications have specific relationships with certain goals, SDGs 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry Innovation and Infrastructure), and 13 (Climate Action) were primarily referenced as they focused on energy and cross-sector applications. The evaluations also revealed that countries should prioritize poverty- and food-related SDGs. Therefore, expanding TA contributions to SDGs by better grouping sectoral classifications based on regional and local needs was essential because SDGs were linked to both sector-specific and climate technologies. Thus, a climate technology package based on sectoral classifications was proposed to bridge the gap between SDG attainment and the climate change objectives proposed by the Paris Agreement.

A technical assistance program approach for pharmacist clinical services integration in primary care organizations

BackgroundLittle is known about the use of technical assistance (TA) programs to facilitate the integration of pharmacist clinical services in primary care settings. ObjectiveDesign, implement, and evaluate a TA program to advance pharmacist integration and clinical services in primary care. Practice descriptionStructured TA program for developing new or enhancing current integrated pharmacist services was utilized in 4 primary care organizations (i.e., federally qualified health center, accountable care organization, and an academic and regional health system). Practice innovationHolistic TA program with a logic model, organizational stages of pharmacist integration, project prioritization, and implementation plans. Evaluation methodsA mixed-methods contextual inquiry approach for integration of pharmacist clinical services. Quantitative analysis was used for TA program activities, time spent, pilot project data, and a web-based survey for post-TA program assessment. Coincidence analysis was used to assess organizational commitment to TA services. Qualitative analysis was used for data collected through semi-structured key informant interviews and team meeting activity reports. ResultsTA program team spent 1872 hours over 11 months on program development, logistics, implementation, and project oversight. TA services included 88 onsite and virtual meetings, 11 onsite pharmacist coaching sessions, 6 workflow mapping sessions, and updating online learning resources. Primary care organizations that had already hired a pharmacist were more likely to uptake TA services. Most useful TA methods were webinar meetings (89%) and on-site pharmacist coaching (88%). TA project results were used for strategic planning (73%), pharmacist value/impact assessment (72%), pharmacist capacity modeling (68%), and workflow design (65%). A key learning from the TA program was the importance of a qualified pharmacist with clinical service experience in primary care settings and population health teams. ConclusionTA program for the pharmacist clinical service integration has broad application to primary care organizations with diverse organizational structures, payer mixes, and practice settings.

Legal and practical aspects of international cooperation of territorial communities through the prism of the implementation of the european neighbourhood policy

The legal grounds for establishing cooperation between local self-government bodies and territorial communities of foreign countries, which are subjects of cross-border cooperation are considered in the article.
 It has been established that local self-government bodies carry out their activities in accordance with and within the limits of current legislation. The basic international legal acts and legal acts of Ukraine, which regulate the process of formation and functioning of local self-government bodies, define the list of functions and powers exercised by such bodies independently, determine the role and place of territorial communities in the development of cross-border cooperation.
 The main factors that influence nowadays the formation and effective functioning of local communities are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the communities located within the Transcarpathian region on the state border with the member countries of the European Union. It has been established that such a geographical position, in turn, leads to the intensification of international and cross-border cooperation and contributes to the further sustainable development of territories.
 The subject of Ukraine's participation in the programs of the European Neighbourhood Policy (hereinafter - ENP) is disclosed, the main advantages are characterized and the existing shortcomings are identified. It has been studied that Ukraine takes part in a number of cross-border programs within the framework of the ENP and contributes both to the Europeanization of Ukrainian society and to an increase in the standard of living of the population in the border areas of countries that are partners in cross-border projects through international technical assistance projects.
 Another opportunity for the participation of local communities in the development of international cooperation, which is membership in the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is considered. A special role is given here to cities in communities and the wide possibilities of establishing municipal partnerships and the formation of national and international associations. It has been proven that the creation of such organizational forms of international cooperation and the participation of territorial communities in them is an additional stimulus for the development and implementation of joint international programs and projects between municipalities.

How can we strengthen partnership and coordination for health system emergency preparedness and response? Findings from a synthesis of experience across countries facing shocks

BackgroundDiscussions of health system resilience and emergency management often highlight the importance of coordination and partnership across government and with other stakeholders. However, both coordination and partnership have been identified as areas requiring further research. This paper identifies characteristics and enablers of effective coordination for emergency preparedness and response, drawing on experience from different countries with a range of shocks, including floods, drought, and COVID-19.MethodsThe paper synthesises evidence from a set of reports related to research, evaluation and technical assistance projects, bringing together evidence from 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Methods for the original reports included primary data collection through interviews, focus groups and workshop discussions, analysis of secondary data, and document review. Reports were synthesised using a coding framework, and quality of evidence was considered for reliability of the findings.ResultsThe reports highlighted the role played by coordination and partnership in preparedness and response, and identified four key areas that characterise and enable effective coordination. First, coordination needs to be inclusive, bringing together different government sectors and levels, and stakeholders such as development agencies, universities, the private sector, local leaders and civil society, with equitable gender representation. Second, structural aspects of coordination bodies are important, including availability of coordination structures and regular meeting fora; clear roles, mandates and sufficient authority; the value of building on existing coordination mechanisms; and ongoing functioning of coordination bodies, before and after crises. Third, organisations responsible for coordination require sufficient capacity, including staff, funding, communication infrastructure and other resources, and learning from previous emergencies. Fourth, effective coordination is supported by high-level political leadership and incentives for collaboration. Country experience also highlighted interactions between these components, and with the wider health system and governance architecture, pointing to the need to consider coordination as part of a complex adaptive system.ConclusionCOVID-19 and other shocks have highlighted the importance of effective coordination and partnership across government and with other stakeholders. Using country experience, the paper identifies a set of recommendations to strengthen coordination for health system resilience and emergency management.

International legal frameworks of cooperation between Ukraine and FRONTEX

The article is devoted to the research of the main directions of cooperation between Ukraine and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX). The main acts of international and national legislation that determine the legal framework and regulate the mechanisms of interaction are analyzed. The article notes the dual role of FRONTEX in cooperation with Ukraine, which involves both direct interaction with the national competent authority in the field of migration and border management, and through the provision of support based on international agreements.
 The author points out four main mechanisms of cooperation between the Agency and the SBGS, namely: 1) operational cooperation through information exchange networks; 2) cooperation within EU initiatives; 3) cooperation within technical assistance projects initiated and financed by the Agency; 4) cooperation on the basis of working The author singles out four main mechanisms of cooperation between the Agency and the DPSU, namely: 1) operational cooperation through information exchange networks; 2) cooperation within EU initiatives; 3) cooperation within technical assistance projects initiated and financed by the Agency; 4) cooperation on the basis of working arrangements. The last of the listed mechanisms is the most effective and includes such areas of cooperation as information exchange, personnel training, interaction in the scientific and research sphere, joint operational activities, etc. At the same time, the article notes that changes in migration processes, expansion of the Agency's mandate, strengthening of cooperation between FRONTEX and Ukraine require improvement of legal regulation. It is proposed to review the Working Arrangement on operational cooperation between FRONTEX and the DPSU and to establish in it a number of important elements that will apply to the rules of information exchange, including confidential; processing and protection of personal data; guarantees of protection of fundamental rights; conditions and procedures for financing activities coordinated by the Agency; dispatch of liaison officers, etc.
 The author emphasizes that the conclusion of an updated version of the Working Arrangement on Operational Cooperation and the signing of the Status Agreement should be important measures that will contribute to the approximation of national legislation and law enforcement practice to European standards in the field of protection and surveillance of borders.

Stunting among children aged 24–59 months and associations with sanitation, enteric infections, and environmental enteric dysfunction in rural northwest Ethiopia

Stunting is a public health issue of global concern. Despite, poor sanitation, diarrhea, parasitic infections, and environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) are associated with stunting, their link is poorly understood and has not been investigated in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to assess the associations of stunting with sanitation, enteric infections, and EED among children aged 24–59 months in rural northwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 224 randomly selected children aged 24–59 months in rural areas of the east Dembiya district. We collected information on household food insecurity and dietary diversity using pre-tested questionnaires adopted from the food and nutrition technical assistance (FANTA) project. We used height-for-age-z score (HAZ) to define stunting. We also used the data collected to measure the environmental exposures of children to intestinal parasitic infections and fecal biomarkers of EED. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to assess the association of stunting with sanitation, enteric infections, and EED. Of the 224 children, 33% (95% CI 27, 39%) were stunted. Stunting in children was significantly associated with poor dietary intake (AOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2, 7.3), open defecation practice (AOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2, 7.9), presence of animal excreta in the living environment (AOR 3.4, 95% CI 1.2, 9.9), E. coli contamination of drinking water (AOR 4.2, 95% CI 1.1, 15.3), diarrheal disease incidence (AOR 3.4, 95% CI 1.5, 7.7), intestinal parasites in children (AOR 3.3, 95% CI 1.3, 8.8), and higher EED disease activity scores (AOR 2.9, 95% CI 1.2, 6.7). One-third of the children in the study area were stunted and this high prevalence of stunting was associated with poor dietary intake, poor hygiene and sanitation conditions, enteric infections, and EED. Thus, stunting can be prevented by improving sanitation and hygienic conditions to prevent repeated enteric infections in children and by promoting dietary diversity of children.

Застосування в Україні успішого досвіду країн Європейського Союзу в реформуванні адміністративно-територіального устрою та кар’єрної служби

Проаналізовано шляхи проведення реформ адміністративно-територіального устрою в країнах ЄС (Німеччині, Румунії, Данії, Австрії, Естонії, Грузії, Латвії) у площині застосування в Україні успішного досвіду. Досліджено аспекти співпраці з проектами міжнародної технічної допомоги і міжнародними організаціями. Проаналізовано кар’єрну службу в органах місцевого самоврядування у ФРН.

Not All Paths Are Linear: A Conversation With Erica D. McCray

Dr. Erica McCray is a professor and associate dean for Faculty Affairs, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement in the College of Education at the University of Florida. In addition, she serves as co-principal investigator of the CEEDAR Center, an Office of Special Education Programs technical assistance project, and a National Science Foundation research project to broaden participation in engineering. Dr. McCray shares her non-linear path to higher education, which is driven by her strong desire to make the world a better place, particularly for people with disabilities and individuals from marginalized groups.

Energy Efficiency in Urban Context: An Overview of European-Funded Projects with the Analysis of an ELENA Case Study

According to the European Union, buildings are responsible for around 40% of CO2 emissions in the EU area. For this reason, the new regulatory framework Clean Energy for All European Package (2019) supports policies to reduce emissions by increasing energy efficiency in buildings. This is the prosecution of a long-standing policy, which in the past has mainly influenced public authorities, but also aggregations of private bodies and the realization (or renovation) of large strategic investments that impacted and changed the fruition of buildings and relevant infrastructures. The paper aims to offer an overview of the European funds dedicated to the Energy Efficiency initiatives in the past few years, distinguishing funds for financing the project itself and funds for the financing of technical assistance. The overview introduces the analysis of a case study related to technical assistance projects in the Energy Efficiency field, i.e., the European Local Energy assistance (ELENA) Fund; findings connected to the case studies are the main contribution of this paper. The analysis helps to interpret the performance of the funds and to detect the gap between the financing procedures and the subsequent operational implementation of the projects. The case study highlighted critical aspects regarding the potential mismatch between the purpose of the fund and operational barriers in the realization of the initiatives. Such evidence can contribute to helping policy makers redesign and correct funding schemes and, moreover, in evaluating them with a complete information set.

Advancing Hospital‐Based Victim Services Technical Assistance Project (DOJ)

Federal Grants & ContractsVolume 46, Issue 13 p. 5-5 Grants alerts Advancing Hospital-Based Victim Services Technical Assistance Project (DOJ) First published: 30 May 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/fgc.32410Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume46, Issue132 June 2022Pages 5-5 RelatedInformation

Assessment of the Ability of Rural Communities to Prepare High-Quality Development Projects

The development of communities and territories requires significant investment. At their expense, communities can restore existing or build new infrastructure, develop businesses, and launch joint development projects. All this is done to improve the living conditions and well-being of the population in communities. As a rule, there are not enough own funds to solve all tasks: community resources are limited and are largely used to meet priority needs. Rural and village communities, almost always financed on a residual basis, are practically unable to provide not only extended, but even simple reproduction of their territories. Therefore, larger projects are implemented using financial or material and technical resources provided from the state budget and/or through international technical assistance projects. This resource is mainly received on a non-refundable basis. The main requirement is for communities to get a sustainable long-term effect from investment. It is also a confirmation of the ability of territorial entities to independently maintain restored or created infrastructure or projects that have been put into operation. In order for these funds to be received by the most worthy and prepared entities, they are distributed through competitive selection mechanisms. Any communities submit project applications for the competition. The most important thing is that the applications meet the requirements of the competition and contain all the information properly submitted. The EU sectoral support competition is one of the largest, both in terms of coverage of Ukrainian communities, and in terms of development areas that can be funded. The results of the competition allow assessing which development problems seem most urgent in rural areas, and whether rural communities have an understanding of the requirements of project approaches. Conclusions and generalisations can serve as a marker for assessing the competitiveness of rural and village communities in the struggle for project resources. In addition – in terms of forming further policies for the development of rural areas and their institutional support. The purpose of the study – assess the ability of territorial communities (with an emphasis on rural and village communities) to prepare high-quality development projects in accordance with European approaches, and provide proposals for improving this ability. To assess the ability of territorial communities to prepare high-quality development projects, statistical and comparative analysis, systematisation and generalisation of information were carried out. The following methods were applied: synthesis and formalisation, graphical and tabular techniques. A study of the activity of communities (with an emphasis on rural and village ones) in terms of preparing development projects was carried out. Their readiness to participate in competitions is analysed. Based on the submitted project applications, a summary of the key priorities for the development of rural and village communities is made. A number of generalisations have been formed regarding the level of project capacity of territorial communities (primarily rural and village communities). Proposals have been developed to improve the ability of communities to attract resources through competitions of this level and their further effective use. Separately, proposals for the introduction of a “project counselling” system within agricultural advisory services and/or regional development agencies (RDA) are provided. The results of the assessment of the ability of rural and village communities to prepare high-quality development projects, the proposed recommendations for their improvement, can be used by central and local authorities, territorial communities, organisations, international technical assistance projects, whose activities are aimed at the development of communities and territories in the implementation of rural development policies both at the national and local levels.