The Congress project “Strengthening democracy and building trust at local level in Ukraine” continues providing expert support to 13 Ukrainian local authorities in the implementation of local initiatives on ethical, innovative and inclusive policies and practices. In order to heed the current precautionary measures derived from the COVID-19 pandemic, national and international experts are undertaking distance coaching by means of videoconference calls and other teleworking tools.
A team of international and Ukrainian experts is providing guidance to local authorities in the implementation of 13 local initiatives on ethical, transparent and participatory decision-making; engagement of under-represented groups; and equal opportunities for women and men to participate in local political life. The experts visited the municipalities for the first time in February 2020 and will resume on-site visits and follow-up activities in the foreseeable future, as soon as the situation permits.
Expert support includes coaching on methodologic approaches to ensure sustainability and measure the change; monitoring and evaluation plans as well as plans for inclusive consultation of local communities. Assistance is also provided for the preparation of relevant local decisions, policies and by-laws needed for the implementation of the initiatives.
The selected 13 Ukrainian local authorities will conclude the implementation of local initiatives in autumn 2020, as per the joint agreements signed with the Congress in December 2019.
The local initiatives are being implemented in the framework of the project “Strengthening democracy and building trust at local level in Ukraine”, implemented by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2018 – 2021. The project aims to improve the quality of local democracy in Ukraine by strengthening institutional frameworks and by supporting local authorities and their national associations in their efforts to promote ethical decision-making and more citizen-oriented, inclusive and transparent local governance.
