The Polaris Programme "Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine" has announced the results of the selection of partner hromadas under the Local civic engagement component.

With support from the Polaris Programme, local self-government bodies will gain additional opportunities to strengthen resident engagement in addressing local issues.

A total of 55 hromadas from 18 oblasts participated in the competitive selection. Based on the results, the Polaris Programme selected 10 hromadas from 8 oblasts:

• Bar city hromada – Vinnytsia oblast
• Boryslav city hromada – Lviv oblast
• Dobroslav settlement hromada – Odesa oblast
• Korets city hromada – Rivne oblast
• Krynychky settlement hromada – Dnipropetrovsk oblast
• Kuyalnyk rural hromada – Odesa oblast
• Lokachi settlement hromada – Volyn oblast
• Solone settlement hromada – Dnipropetrovsk oblast
• Khotyn city hromada – Chernivtsi oblast
• Shumsk city hromada – Ternopil oblast

The selected hromadas include both rural and urban ones, with populations ranging from 13,000 to nearly 50,000 residents.

As part of the partnership, the hromadas will receive expert support in developing and implementing new or improved mechanisms for civic participation in addressing matters of local importance. This includes consideration for vulnerable groups, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and new legal norms on local democracy.

Cooperation under the “Local civic engagement” component will include:

• Conducting expert analysis of documents/decisions regulating resident engagement and practices of their implementation;
• Preparing recommendations for improving existing and introducing new participation mechanisms;
• Developing hromada Charters in line with new legislative requirements;
• Organising training activities for hromada officials responsible for informing and engaging residents;
• Supporting information campaigns to explain local democracy mechanisms and educate residents on the effective use of participation tools;
• Facilitating experience-sharing and best practice exchange among partner hromadas.

The Polaris Programme will provide support to each partner hromada based on their specific needs and communication dynamics with residents.