What are the current challenges for Ukrainian public service? How to ensure barrier free public service, integrity of public servants and local officials, promote women’s leadership?

These and many other topics of institutional sustainability of public service were discussed during the Annual National Richelieu Hearings in Ukraine on 20-22 September 2023. The Centre of Expertise for Good Governance (CEGG) supported the activity through its Programme “Strengthening Good Democratic Governance and Resilience in Ukraine”.

The event brough together senior officials from central level, local authorities and their associations, academia, civil society, and international organisations.

The CEGG and its projects in Ukraine have been assisting the Ukrainian national authorities in implementation of the public service reform since 2017. Within the on-going Council of Europe Action Plan the priorities for cooperation include improvement of the legal framework, methodological guidance and awareness raising on public service reform. Namely, in 2023 the CEGG will implement its Training Needs Analysis toolkit for public officials focusing on local service in times of crisis. Moreover, it will provide its legal advice on the implementation of the new law “On Local Government Service” and development of relevant by-laws.