Next one in a series of Round Table discussions “Reform of local self-government and territorial organisation of power in Ukraine: achievements and new tasks” took place yesterday, on 30 May, in Chernivtsi. This was the second event on this topic in May 2017 organised by the Council of Europe Programme “Decentralisation and Territorial Consolidation in Ukraine” in co-operation with the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Municipal Economy of Ukraine. The Parliamentary Committee on State Building, Regional Policy and Local Self-Government became a partner in organising this discussion too. Participants exchanged their views on achievements of the reform, its further prospects, challenges and new tasks. The very specific attention was paid to showcasing the success stories and development of local democracy. The mayors from various regions and various scale communities presented their practices, including:

• Mr Oleksii KASPRUK, Mayor of Chernivtsi,
• Ms Velina ZAYATS, Dunaivtsi Town Mayor (Khmelnytska oblast),
• Mr Hryhorii VANZURIAK, Hlyboka Settlement Mayor (Chernivetska oblast), head of the Association of local authorities in Chernivetska oblast,
• Mr Oleh HORBATIUK, Rukshyn Village Mayor (Chernivetska oblast),
• Ms Oleksandra LENYTSKA, Trostianets Village Mayor (Lviv oblast).

Within a separate section, a special focus was put on interrelation of decentralisation and cultural diversity at local level.

About 150 people took part in the event representing different groups of stakeholders, including members of the Parliament of Ukraine, representatives of the line ministries, executive authorities and local self-government bodies of all levels from Chernivetska and neighbouring oblasts as well as civil society representatives.