Chernihiv, 9 July 2018 – How does one inspire young people to be active participants in the life of their hromadas, and make sure they are not left behind during the decentralisation process? Engaging youth in the policy-making process in the context of ongoing reforms is crucial for the successful development of amalgamated hromadas (AHs). A survey on Youth in Ukraine conducted in 2017 says that 62 percent of young people want to live in Ukraine, 56 percent have a positive attitude towards the decentralisation reform, and 52 percent are ready to personally engage in initiatives in the life of a hromada.

In September 2017, UNDP supported an initiative of the CSO “Mart” to boost young people’s capacity to have their voice heard in the policy- and decision-making process. Piloted in the Chernihiv Oblast, this initiative engaged representatives of five AHs in the oblast, selected on a competitive basis.

Over almost one year, the participants from the Kiptivska, Koryukivska, Losynivska, Sosnytska, and Koropska AHs attended numerous training sessions and workshops on such topics as human rights and democracy, a human-rights-based approach for young people, and international and national best practices of engaging young people in policy-making process. The participants went on to apply all of these skills in drafting possible solutions and regulatory acts for their AHs.

On 9 July, representatives of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, the oblast authorities, UNDP, partner AHs, NGOs and civic activists came to Chernihiv to sum-up the results of the initiative, and to discuss key issues and possible solutions for engaging young people in the decision-making process in the context of decentralisation.

“One of the key priorities for us is to create a mechanism and environment for engaging young people in the decision-making process at the local level. This year it will be the topic of Parliamentary Hearings. I hope that the hromadas that participated in this initiative will share their experience in the Parliament,” said Oleksandr Yarema, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.

Since launching, all five AHs have set up Youth Councils in their hromadas - a mechanism to engage young people in the decision-making process. This is the result of teamwork by civic activists, local authorities, youth organisations and young activists. Now the young leaders of these amalgamated hromadas have access to the local authorities, and can directly discuss with them their most pressing issues, share innovative ideas, and help to develop their hromadas.

The initiative was implemented by the CO “MART” with a support of the UNDP in Ukraine project “Civil Society for Enhanced Democracy and Human Rights in Ukraine” financed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.