Ukrainian municipalities lead democratic innovations amid wartime
With the direct support of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, ten municipalities are implementing local initiatives to foster democratic innovations and open government, as well as to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights.
Bilhorod–Dnistrovskyi, Bilshivtsi, Dunaivtsi, Fastiv, Kamianets–Podilskyi, Kyiv, Poltava, Shpola, Ternopil and Zviahel work with citizens, civil society representatives and the private sector to strengthen good governance and local democracy, paving the way for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.
These local initiatives are implemented as part of the Congress’ project “Strengthening multi-level governance, democracy and human rights at local level in Ukraine” within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” for 2023–2026. The project aims to strengthen dialogue, partnership, and consultation between different levels of government; enhance collaborative governance and citizen participation in line with the principles of local democracy and open government; and promote and guarantee the right to equality and non-discrimination at local level, for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.
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Congress supports 10 Ukrainian municipalities in rights-based inclusive decision-making
War is not an obstacle: how local communities implement innovative practices
Creation of the “City Centre for Civil Rights” in Bilhorod–Dnistrovskyi (Odesa region)
The centre boosts the participation of residents and internally displaced persons (IDPs) and increase trust in local governance through dialogue and legal support.
The City Centre for Civil Rights holds informational meeting for IDPs, about the provision of social, psychological, and legal assistance. The Center assesses the community’s needs in terms of capacity building and legal support, with special attention to the involvement of youth, women and IDPs in community life.
Open access to decision making in the Bilshivtsi community (Ivano-Frankivsk region)
This initiative seeks to improve transparency through enhanced communication channels and e-governance tools to facilitate citizen participation in decision making.
As many as 256 out of nearly 2,000 residents of this community indicated in a survey their wish for more e-governance tools, participatory budgeting and online surveys. Measures are implemented to increase the community’s digital presence, including the launch of a new official website and social media profiles to better inform and interact with citizens. In addition, the “Voice” e-voting tool and livestreaming equipment have been put in operation to ensure transparency in village council meetings. Among the next steps, the territorial community will develop documents that govern the application of these innovations and a promotional campaign for e-governance tools.
Anthill community centre in Dunaivtsi (Khmelnytskyi region)
The newly established Anthill Community Centre provides a space for diverse social groups to collaborate, engage and realise their creative potential, with a focus on integrating IDPs into community life.
The centre serves as an important venue for residents to provide mutual support and mount joint action for the development of their community. Since its opening, activities enabled children and adult to boost their creativity, (63 schoolchildren participated in a contest to design the centre’s logo) and the centre hosted social and cultural events dedicated to gender equality and the integration of IDPs. Ceremonies to commemorate fallen heroes with their families were also organised. Activities around mental health support as well as further cultural and leisure activities are scheduled for the upcoming months.
Towards a corruption-free community in Fastiv (Kyiv region)
This initiative focuses on preventing corruption and enhancing transparency through community engagement, education and feedback mechanisms.
On its path to building a corruption-free community, Fastiv launched an awareness-raising campaign among its residents about anti-corruption . With the involvement of experts and representatives of the civil society, law enforcement and the National Agency on Corruption Prevention – and following extensive discussions with community members – the Fastiv territorial community started developing its Anti-Corruption Code. The month of June 2024 also saw the launch of the “AntiCor” chatbot: a tool for reporting and supporting the handling of alleged corruption cases and risks.
Public participation in Kamianets-Podilskyi (Khmelnytskyi region): from book pages to innovation works
The local government and residents in Kamianets-Podilskyi have increased their interaction by creating an innovative space within the municipal library.
The community transformed its municipal library into a space, where citizens, local authorities and businesses can engage in open dialogue, co-operation and partnership building. The renovated and re-equipped space is used as a venue for educational and cultural events. About 300 people have been involved in project activities so far and more is planned to boost civic participation, such as participatory budgeting, online consultations and e-petitions, among others.
Establishment of a local democracy engagement hub in Kyiv
Kyiv established an Educational Centre within the city council to engage underrepresented groups in local policymaking.
The local initiative enables underrepresented groups such as IDPs, women and youth to participate in interactive educational events on policymaking,. Kyiv’s local initiative has a special focus on supporting the Kyiv City Youth Council to ensure youth co-operation with local authorities.
Community Centre for veterans and their families in Poltava
The Poltava community created a centre for veterans and their families to support veterans’ reintegration.
Following an assessment of the veterans’ needs, the centre welcomed its first visitors in May 2024 after its premises had undergone reconstruction works and had been fully equipped. It already handled more than 118 inquiries from veterans, military personnel, and their families, seeking consultation on legal matters, employment, available social benefits , as well as physical and psychological rehabilitation, support in locating missing persons, and leisure activities. The centre provides a great location for the target groups to attend various awareness-raising events, presentations, lectures, and workshops.
Solidarity School in Shpola (Cherkasy region)
This initiative seeks to effectively integrate IDPs and youth into community governance and decision-making processes.
Having prepared the space and ensured the project’s visibility on social media, Shpola’s Solidarity School already hosted more than 15 events for internally displaced women and youth aged 10-17 years, including lectures, seminars, training sessions and discussions on open governance issues. Young people also benefitted from events that focus primarily on developing their entrepreneurial potential, while women were involved in activities designed to help them integrate into both the local labour market and civil society.
E-Ternopil: introducing open government at local level
The Ternopil community introduced a “Residents' portal” for accessing municipal services online and to promote e-democracy.
Citizens of Ternopil expressed great interest in the implementation of this initiative supporting the digitalisation of administrative services, such as providing civil status documents, or social, housing and utility services. A user-friendly web solution has already been developed, allowing for its further integration into a dedicated smartphone application, which is currently being tested. The community is also piloting the newly introduced “E-Democracy Tools” section, which will be used for public surveys and discussions. The second phase of the implementation will involve expanding the range of digital services available to citizens and promoting the portal’s functionality through trainings and information sessions.
Sustainable development of rural areas in Zviahel (Zhytomyr region)
Zviahel’s initiative created a youth space within the library to promote community development, cultural enrichment, and healthy living.
The initiative encouraged youth, women and IDPs to participate in community life. Some of the current achievements include active youth engagement in project planning and implementation, closer interaction between the rural population and local authorities, higher level of public trust in the local government, as well as improved emotional state and environmental awareness of the population.