AWARD-winning environmental group WestDEN has scored a first, after being invited to work with groups in the Ukraine to help regenerate the country still affected by the Chernobyl disaster.
The Tavistock-based group is being funded by the British Council to work with the community and government of the Ukraine, dealing specifically with the Prydniprovya which suffers heavily from industrial pollution.
Oz Osborne, of WestDEN, said: 'This is the first time that the British Council has funded a community group to carry out this kind of work. They said they were impressed by our track record of project support and development at home and abroad.
'We have a highly regarded staff team that have a well-deserved reputation for their expertise and commitment.
'We are now able to use our experience to assist communities outside West Devon.'
He said the co-ordinator of the partner organisation in the Ukraine will visit West Devon to see how WestDEN sets up and manages regeneration projects with community and other organisations. Staff from WestDEN will then visit the Ukraine to see how these ideas may be adapted and put into practice in the region.
And other international links have been forged. WestDEN is working with community environmental organisations in Albania to help them plan and manage their projects more effectively. Another invitation has come from a consortium in a rural area of Tuscany in Italy, which is working to revitalise agricultural and forestry industries while promoting tourism.
In January, representatives from WestDEN will visit Southern India as part of their Rural Links Project, to share information and experience.
Closer to home, WestDEN has recently been awarded a contract to help plan regeneration schemes in South Molton.
Mr Osborne said: 'Our priority remains the work we do with the people and environment of West Devon, but increasingly our skills and experience are being used as a resource for other organisations around the country and in other parts of the world.