What are the current challenges for Ukrainian public service? What should be done during the public service reform to ensure barrier free public service, integrity building for public servants and local officials, promoting 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) and its projects in Ukraine have been assisting 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 Assessment toolkit for public officials in Ukraine and will provide its legal advice on implementation of the new law “On Local Government Service”.

The CEGG supports the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service through its Programme “Strengthening Good Democratic Governance and Resilience in Ukraine”.

Speaking at the Forum's opening, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office, Mr Erlend Falch, emphasised that the Organisation would continue to support democratic reforms in Ukraine, contribute to reconstruction and recovery processes with the aim of strengthening public service resilience, respecting human rights, the rule of law and democracy. “The Council of Europe's Action Plan for Ukraine, "Resilience, Recovery, and Reconstruction" for 2023-2026, includes support for reforms within the European perspective of the country. Investments in improving the public service are investments in Ukraine's future”, – Mr. Erlend Falch noted.