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Back Meeting between the Secretary General of the Congress and the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine

Meeting between the Secretary General of the Congress and the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine

The decentralisation reforms currently under way in Ukraine and co-operation with the Congress in this area were discussed at a meeting between the Secretary General of the Congress, Andreas Kiefer, and the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, in Strasbourg on 27 February 2019.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed her gratitude for the Congress’s support in implementing the reform and emphasised how important it was to make this an irreversible process. The Secretary General reaffirmed the Congress’s commitment to developing local and regional democracy in Ukraine through the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and co-operation activities on the ground.

The Deputy Prime Minister also highlighted the need for continued action by the Congress on gender equality at local level in Ukraine, particularly awareness-raising among local and regional elected representatives about Council of Europe standards and practices in this sphere.

Co-operation on the ground with Ukraine forms part of the « Promoting Local Democracy in Ukraine » project, run by the Congress through the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2018-2021.

Secretary General | Strasbourg, France 27 February 2019
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About the project

Project summary

The project "Strengthening democracy and building trust at local level in Ukraine" aims to improve the quality of local democracy in Ukraine by strengthening institutional frameworks and by supporting local authorities and their national associations in their efforts to promote ethical decision-making and more citizen-oriented, inclusive, responsive and transparent local governance.

The project is implemented by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities as part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2018-2021, and in line with the principles enshrined in the European Charter of Local Self-Government (ETS No. 122) and its Additional Protocol on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority (CETS No. 207).

Outcomes

The following outcomes are expected to be reached:

 Genuine decentralisation and local self-government reforms are implemented through regular and effective consultation mechanisms between local authorities, their associations, and the national authorities

 Local elected representatives implement ethical, innovative and inclusive policies and practices in their municipalities

Methodology

The project supports decentralisation and the implementation of good practices on local democracy through local and international expertise and capacity-building activities, including trainings, workshops, study visits, and peer-to-peer exchanges with the participation of members of the Congress, both from Ukraine and other member states of the Council of Europe.

Expected results

 The national associations of local and regional authorities, and in particular the Association of Ukrainian Cities, strengthen their capacities to advocate and enhance services to their members

 Local and regional authorities and their associations strengthen their leadership and institutional capacities to enable a rich dialogue between all stakeholders towards the establishment of a sustainable multilevel governance system

 Local authorities adopt policies and practices to promote ethical, transparent and participatory decision-making as a means to increase citizens’ trust in local political actors and institutions

 Local authorities adopt and implement legal and policy frameworks to promote a gender perspective in local political action and equal opportunities for women and men to participate in local political life

 Local authorities adopt policies and practices to foster human rights and the engagement of under-represented groups (in particular Roma, national and ethnic minorities, and internally displaced persons) in local affairs, and introduce positive measures to enhance resilience at local level

Partners and beneficiaries

 Local and regional authorities, mayors and councillors

 National associations of local and regional authorities

 Civil society organisations and media

 Representatives of the Government and the Parliament of Ukraine

Local initiatives

13 local authorities in Ukraine have been selected to receive expert support from the Congress in the implementation of ethical, innovative and inclusive policies and practices in their municipalities. Special attention is given to open, transparent and participatory local decision-making, the engagement of under-represented groups and gender equality, thereby building public trust and resilient communities.

Find out more

Thematic Areas

Consultation and advocacy

The Congress provides expert support and capacity building to strengthen institutional frameworks for local self-government and advocacy in Ukraine.

Read more

Open government and public ethics

The Congress promotes ethical, transparent and participatory decision-making as a means to increase citizens' trust in local elected officials and representatives. 

 Read more

Human rights at local level

The Congress supports local authorities and their national associations in their efforts to promote inclusiveness and to ensure equal opportunities for all citizens.

 Read more

Past cooperation projects

“Promoting Local Democracy in Ukraine”
Period: 01.07.2015 – 28.02.2018
Partners: Government of Ukraine, local authorities and their associations

“Strengthening the capacity of local authorities in Ukraine”
Period: 01.04.2014 – 31.05.2015
Partners: Government of Ukraine, local authorities and their associations.

“Co-operation with Ukraine – Immediate measures package”
Period: 15.04.2014 – 31.12.2014
Partners: Government of Ukraine, local authorities and their associations.

Calendar

17–21 May – Open Government Week

Leaflets
Project Key achievements
Tools

bE-Open: Open Local Government | A tool for action
[ English | Ukrainian ]
Preventing and Combatting Sexism at Local Level in Ukraine: Guide for Women and Men in Local Politics
[ English | Ukrainian ]
Management of Change: Tool Guide for Local Authorities
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Congress adopted texts

Guides and Booklets

Leaflet on Public Ethics
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Administrative resources and fair elections
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Conflicts of interest at local and regional levels
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Making public procurement transparent at local and regional levels
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Fighting nepotism within local and regional authorities
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Transparency and open government
[ English | Ukrainian ]

The protection of whistleblowers
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Local Voting rights for the integration of migrants and IDPs
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Reference Documents

European Charter of Local Self-Government
[ English | Ukrainian ]

European Code of Conduct for all Persons Involved in Local and Regional Governance
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Recommendation 437 (2019) on The role of local and regional governments in protecting internally displaced persons (IDPs)
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Resolution 437 (2018) on The consultation of local authorities by higher levels of government
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Recommendation 419 (2018) on Voting rights at local level as an element of successful long-term integration of migrants and IDPs in Europe’s municipalities and regions
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Recommendation 386 (2016) on Observation of local elections in Ukraine
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Post-monitoring Roadmap (2015)
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Recommendation 348 (2013) on Local and regional democracy in Ukraine
[ English | Ukrainian ]

Mediabox and Useful links
Contacts

Council of Europe Office in Ukraine

8, Illinska Street, entrance 7, floor 5, Kyiv, 04070, Ukraine

 

Svitlana GRYSHCHENKO
Project Manager,
Council of Europe Office in Kyiv

Marité MORAS
Head of Unit, Co-operation and External Relations Division, Secretariat of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

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