In the time of war, public authorities are forced to make rapid decisions addressing most pressing problems. Engagement of citizens, CSOs and stakeholders concerned in formulation proposals to policies and decisions in the recovery and reconstruction process can help authorities address humanitarian crisis, address public priorities and needs and increase quality, suitability and impact of policies, decisions and services, strengthen the resilience of democratic processes.

With this aim, 40 local officials from the project partner municipalities of Slavutych, Nizhyn, Lviv, Brusyliv, Mukachevo, Kyiv, Kamianske, Poltava, Novoyavorivsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lutsk, Zhovkva, Zvyahel were invited to participate in a three-week Academy of civic engagement.

Through a series of thematic and practical online seminars, the participants enhanced their knowledge of the decision-making cycle, strategies and methods of engagement of stakeholders, access to public information and open data vs martial law restrictions.