Lviv, 6 October 2016 – “Whether in old or new local democracies, in cities or villages, every mayor is looking for opportunities to increase democracy. We can truly make a difference!” stressed Aat B.L. De Jonge, Mayor of Dronten, the Netherlands, to the participants of a two-day workshop “Mayors, leaders for change”, including 17 mayors gathered together from four regions in Ukraine (Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Lviv and Zakarpattya). “Building trust is the key to success in all our public activities. It drives co-operation in our communities and helps to strengthen good governance. But trust can be built only through dialogue, transparency and accountability towards citizens”, emphasised Robert Biedron, member of the Congress (Poland, SOC), Mayor of Slupsk.

Mayors exchanged on the challenges faced by Ukrainian local authorities in the context of reforms, the scope of their responsibilities, the efficient management of financial resources, and co-operation between different levels of power. Ethical dilemmas in decision-making and the importance of citizen participation were among the key-topics discussed.

This event was organised by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe within the project “Promoting local democracy in Ukraine”, which is part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2015-2017.  

Ukraine joined the Council of Europe on 9 November 1995, ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government on 11 September 1997 and its Additional Protocol on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority on 2 September 2014. Countries which have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter imposes compliance with a minimum number of rights and principles, which are the European bedrock of local self-government. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe ensures respect for these principles.

Contact:

Marité Moras, Head of the Co-operation Activities Unit, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Tel: +33 3 88 41 22 33

Svitlana Gryshchenko, Project Manager, Council of Europe Office in Kyiv, Tel: +380 96 340 13 83