On 16-17 April 2026, a strategic scenario planning session was held in Mykolaiv to update the Kherson Region Development Strategy for 2021–2027. The event was organised as part of a partnership between the Kherson Regional Military Administration and the Polaris Programme ‘Support for Multilevel Governance in Ukraine’.
Over two days, representatives from the Kherson Regional State Administration, military administrations, relevant departments, the expert community, the civil society sector and the Polaris team worked together to update the strategic vision for the region’s development, taking into account military risks, security challenges and the needs of future recovery. The strategic session was attended by 38 participants, who were divided into four working groups.
The discussion was based on analytical findings. In particular, participants were presented with a SWOT analysis of the Kherson region, which outlines the region’s strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats, as well as a list of key drivers that will influence its development. These include the intensity of security threats, the pace of demining, the restoration of infrastructure and logistics, the return of the population, the structural transformation of the economy, the level of investment, and the strengthening of institutional capacity.
Special focus was placed on developing decisions that would remain relevant under various possible scenarios. Participants modelled four scenarios for the region’s future – ranging from a deterioration in the security situation to full recovery following the achievement of a just peace. This approach allows not only for a response to current challenges, but also for the identification of strategic development goals for the Kherson region for the next 10–15 years.
“Today, the Kherson region truly needs a clear and realistic plan for recovery and sustainable development, one that takes into account all the specific circumstances and the situation in the region. We are grateful to our partners from the Polaris Programme for their professional guidance in shaping the future of our region,” said Dmytro Butriі, First Deputy Head of the Kherson Regional State Administration.
The strategic session marked a continuation of the cooperation between the Kherson Regional State Administration and the Polaris Programme, as set out in the Memorandum of Partnership, which provides for support for strategic planning and the region’s recovery.
The next step will be to refine the developed scenarios, have them verified by a working group, and integrate the results to update the Kherson Region Development Strategy.
