The goal of the UKRAINE MUNICIPAL LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (MLED) is to improve economic opportunities for Ukrainians in a strengthened democracy through inclusive and effective local governments that meet the needs of their citizens and their business communities with support from strengthened enabling institutions. The program began in January 2010 and will be completed by December 2014. MLED Project is implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and funded by the Government of Canada. FCM will implement MLED on national level in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry for Regional Development, Construction and Housing of Ukraine and the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC). At the regional and municipal level, MLED will provide technical assistance to improve planning and support for the delivery of services that foster and support economic growth in thirteen (12) cities in two Ukrainian oblasts (Lviv and Dnipropetrovsk), either directly or through partnerships. MLED’s municipal partners in Ukraine include Lviv, Chervonograd, Drogobych as well as Novyi Rozdil – Zhydachiv – Mykolaiv as an economic cluster in Lviv Oblast; and Dnipropetrovsk, Nikopol, Kryvyi Rih and an economic cluster of Pavlograd – Pershotravensk – Ternivka in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.