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On-going reforms in Ukraine: Congress supports decentralisation of powers, capable mayors and their national associations

Political will and operational support, trust in institutions and a critical mass of reform-minded local leaders were identified as four key elements of successful implementation of the on-going reforms in Ukraine during the sixth meeting of the European Committee of the Regions' Task Force on Ukraine held in Brussels, Belgium, on 13 February 2019.

“Constitutional and legislative aspects are only one part of the decentralisation which will see no progress without capable and committed mayors, councillors and municipal servants. This critical mass of reform-minded local leaders exists in Ukraine, and the Congress stands ready to support building stronger institutions on local level both through its political and operational work, to make the decentralisation in Ukraine a success and irreversible,” stated Andreas KIEFER, Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.

“The improved analytical capacities of national associations of local and regional authorities in Ukraine, coupled with the openness of national authorities, creates a precondition for the establishment of a genuine consultation mechanism, which needs to be pursued further.” With this statement, Secretary General of the Congress called upon Ukrainian stakeholders to foster a trustful dialogue that will allow for concerns of local authorities to be attentively considered by national institutions.

Mr KIEFER underlined the complementarity of the work of the Council of Europe and its Congress on the one hand and of the European Union and the Committee of the Regions on the other in supporting the Ukrainian government, parliament, regions (oblast), cities and municipalities.

On the ground, the Congress provides direct support to local authorities and their national associations through its co-operation activities, in particular through the project “Strengthening democracy and building trust at local level in Ukraine”. In addition, the Congress continues the political dialogue with the Ukrainian Government and will conduct the next monitoring mission on local democracy in Ukraine in November/December 2019 in order to assess the progress made.

The meeting of the Task Force Ukraine was chaired by Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ, President of the Committee of Regions and co-chaired by Deputy Minister of regional development, construction, housing and communal services of Ukraine Vyacheslav NEHODA, and Markku MARKKULA, First Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions.

Photo by the European Committee of the Regions

Brussels, Belgium 23 July 2019
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About the project
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.

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Thematic Areas
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

1721 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
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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