The national initiative “The State is Nearby. Starostas” is set to launch in early December. It aims to bring essential services closer to the local population and help starostas respond more effectively to residents’ requests.

The Minister for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons of Ukraine Vitalii Bezgin announced this during the IV Forum of Starostas of Zhytomyr Region, which was held in  Andrushivka community.

According to the Minister, starostas are closest to the people and are often the first to know what help they need. It is therefore important to strengthen cooperation between the Ministry and Members of Parliament with starostas and to provide them with effective support tools.

The Forum also addressed the Budget for 2027: what priorities communities should take into account and how to stabilise the situation with local budgets already this year.

Vitalii Bezgin referred to the example of Zhytomyr region, where starostas themselves selected 10 projects for implementation and secured the support of businesses willing to contribute to their realisation.

The Minister thanked the starostas, Members of Parliament, and residents of the region for their frank discussion and concrete proposals.