On 25 November 2025, the Chernihiv Regional Development Agency, with the support of the Swiss Foundation for Technical Cooperation “Swisscontact,” held a Craft Producers Fair-Forum of Chernihiv region.
The event was organised within the signed memorandum of cooperation to promote small-scale entrepreneurship and local craft production.
The Forum became the final event of the two-month “INFLUENCE: ACCELERATOR” programme, which included a series of training sessions aimed at strengthening local craft businesses.
The event gathered artisans, craftsmen, and local brands of the region, creating a shared space for networking, exchange, and inspiration.
During the panel discussion, participants explored the development of the craft sector and the cooperation between agriculture, science, and local authorities together with:
Vitalii Radko, Senior Technical Advisor at Swisscontact, Head of the Empower AgriWomen Project;
Tetiana Korzhynska, Head of the Tourism Department of Chernihiv City Council;
Liudmyla Shandrenko, Head of the NGO “Women of Chernihiv Region”;
Maryna Hrytsyk, livestock farmer and craft cheese producer.
The discussion was moderated by Iryna Simonova, Director of the Regional Development Agency.
Guests had the opportunity to meet local producers, take part in workshops, exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and unite efforts for further development.
Such events help communities stay resilient during wartime, support people living under constant shelling in the border region, and give space to plan for the future.
Swisscontact continues supporting entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector through capacity-building and hands-on training to improve people’s livelihoods — and plans to further expand this support.