Project "Strengthening local democratic governance in Ukraine"
Ukraine’s ambition for enhancing decentralisation and local self-government reforms is supported by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in the framework of the project “Strengthening local democratic governance in Ukraine”, launched in October 2021.
The project has been redesigned to meet the needs of Ukrainian local authorities and improve the support through further collaboration to better cope with the unprecedented humanitarian, social, economic and environmental challenges they face as the consequence of war.
Local and regional authorities in Ukraine have a key role in addressing these consequences. Therefore, the project will facilitate the creation of a sustainable, inclusive and accountable local self-government, fostering good local governance and upholding democratic values as the necessary foundation for the post-war renewal.
The Congress has reinforced the multi-level dialogue and co-operation with relevant European associations, the Ukrainian Government and Parliament, Ukrainian local and regional authorities and their national associations, as well as a wide range of stakeholders that contribute to the Congress activities in the field.
Strengthening local democratic governance in Ukraine ( October 2021 – December 2022)
Project summary
In consultation with local authorities and their associations, the project will aim to improve the rebuilding capacities of local authorities to address the unprecedented crisis Ukraine and its citizens are going through, caused by the Russian Federation’s war against Ukrainian people. This project represents a demand-driven proposal based on the needs and recommendations voiced by the relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries during the implementation of the project “Strengthening democracy and building trust at local level in Ukraine” (July 2018 to September 2021).
The following outcomes are expected to be reached:
Reconstruct democracy and rebuild resilience at local level, while helping to implement war and post-war recovery measures in Ukraine.
Support the rebuilding capacities of local authorities and their national associations to address the unprecedented humanitarian, social, economic and environmental challenges they face as a cause of the war.
Facilitate the creation of a sustainable, inclusive and accountable local self-government that responds to citizens needs and expectations, thus increase their trust in public institutions.
Methodology
The project aims to rebuild democracy at a local level in Ukraine through the strengthening of the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC), the provision of national and international expert support, the organisation of roundtables and workshops, promoting the platform Cities4Cities, the development of a manual on good examples of post war recovery policies and strategies and through a continuous political dialogue on the promotion of open government and local resilience.
This constructive dialogue will be ensured through the involvement of all national associations of local and regional authorities in the relevant project activities.
Expected results
National associations, in particular the Association of Ukrainian Cities, improve their capacities to advocate and safeguard the interest of local and regional authorities;
Ukrainian local authorities and other European municipalities and associations strengthen their partnership and cooperation in order to cope with humanitarian, social and other issues caused by war;
Local authorities strengthen their institutional capacities to protect human rights and respond to citizen’s needs and expectations;
Local authorities and civil society strengthen their alliances through the development and application of collaborative mechanisms of citizens engagement, including youth and IDPs, in order to enhance recovery goals;
Local authorities adopt and implement legal and policy frameworks to promote a gender perspective in local political action and equal opportunities for women and men to participate in local political life;
The trust of the citizens, and especially of minority groups, in their local and political institutions increases.
Partners and beneficiaries
Local and regional authorities, mayors and councillors
National associations of local and regional authorities
Civil society organisations and media
Representatives of the Government and the Parliament of Ukraine
By having an impact on democratic sustainability and promoting ethical decision-making and more citizen-oriented, inclusive, responsive and transparent local governance, the project “Strengthening local democratic governance in Ukraine” contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender equality), 10 (Reduced inequalities), 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), 16 (Peace, justice and strong Institutions) and 17 (Partnership for the goals) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Co-operation activities in Ukraine
These projects follow on the Roadmap agreed between the Congress and the Ukrainian authorities in May 2015 for the implementation of Recommendation 348 (2013) on Local and regional democracy in Ukraine and regular political dialogue. The projects developed in Ukraine are built upon the results of the Congress co-operation activities carried out in Ukraine since 2014. They are based on the needs and recommendations voiced by relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries during their implementation, and grounded on the Council of Europe Action Plans for the country.
Results of previous projects implemented in Ukraine
“Promoting Local Democracy in Ukraine”
Period: 01.07.2015 – 28.02.2018
Partners: Government of Ukraine, local authorities and their associations
“Strengthening the capacity of local authorities in Ukraine”
Period: 1.04.2014 – 31.05.2015
Partners: Government of Ukraine, local authorities and their associations.
“Co-operation with Ukraine – Immediate measures package”
Period: 15.04.2014 – 31.12.2014
Partners: Government of Ukraine, local authorities and their associations.
Helping Ukraine - Cities4Cities
