The Council of Europe Office in Ukraine continued its series of consultation meetings with regional and local administrations on the implementation of Ukraine’s legal and policy frameworks on national minorities (communities), the Roma national minority and Indigenous Peoples in the context of the EU accession process.

On 20 August 2026, 20 representatives of the Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration and local authorities took part in the consultation meeting. Participants discussed the implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On National Minorities (Communities) of Ukraine”, the Action Plan for the Protection of the Rights of Persons Belonging to National Minorities (Communities), the State Target National and Cultural Programme “Unity in Diversity” until 2034, the Roma Strategy until 2030 and its Operational Action Plan for 2026–2028.

The discussion focused on current achievements, practical challenges, reporting and good practices at regional and local levels, as well as strengthening the implementation of policies relevant to Cluster 1 of the EU accession negotiations. The consultation also explored areas where additional support from the Council of Europe, national authorities and international partners could further enhance the protection of the rights of national minorities (communities), Roma and Indigenous Peoples.

We thank all participants for their active engagement and valuable contributions to advancing inclusive policies and strengthening diversity, equality and social cohesion in Ukraine.

The consultation meeting was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe project “Supporting the reform of the national minority legal framework and the resilience of national minorities and Roma in Ukraine”.