Three partner local self-government bodies have been selected to receive comprehensive expert and methodological support in implementing citizens’ assemblies in 2025-2026.

The Council of Europe project “Strengthening multilevel governance and local democracy to support Ukraine’s recovery” has completed the selection of local authorities to receive comprehensive support in implementing citizens’ assemblies — an innovative tool of deliberative democracy.

Following an open call, three citizens’ assemblies will be organised: in the Obolon district of Kyiv in 2025, and in the Rivne territorial community and the Lviv agglomeration in 2026.

The Council of Europe project will provide methodological and organisational support at every stage of the development and implementation of the citizens' assemblies. All steps will be carried out in accordance with the methodology, standards and recommendations of the Council of Europe, with the expert support of an international consultant – organisation FIDE (Federation For Innovation In Democracy Europe).

Citizens’ assembly is one of the most widely used tools of deliberative democracy, increasingly adopted in many countries at both local and national levels. It brings together randomly selected, representative members of the community who, with the support of experts, study important social issues, engage in discussion, and work towards finding common solutions.

Citizens’ assemblies enhance the legitimacy of political decisions and help develop solutions to complex issues. Members formulate collective proposals, ensuring broader public interests are considered, while authorities gain insight into citizens’ views and consensus points. Deliberations foster mutual understanding, solidarity, and cooperation, draw attention to key community issues, and make decision-making more open and inclusive.

In 2024, Ukraine's first citizens’ assemblies, supported by the Council of Europe, were held in Zviahel and Slavutych communities, marking an important milestone in the development of deliberative democracy in Ukraine.

The citizens’ assemblies will be implemented within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction”  for 2023-2026 and the project “Strengthening multilevel governance and local democracy to support Ukraine’s recovery”, implemented by the Council of Europe Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.