Ten local authorities from eight Ukrainian oblasts celebrated the launch of their local initiatives to implement a human rights-based approach and open government principles at local level, during a workshop on 14-15 February in Lviv, Ukraine.
A peer workshop organised as part of the Congress co-operation project presented an opportunity for exchanges between 21 representatives of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Bilshivtsi, Dunaivtsi, Fastiv, Kamianets-Podilskyi, Kyiv, Poltava, Shpola, Ternopil, and Zviahel. The participants discussed ways to lead the change by embracing innovative and inclusive processes, transparent decision-making, co-creation, and citizen-oriented action. The workshop was also the occasion to reflect on the key components of successful project management and grant implementation. All participants agreed to pursue such exchanges throughout the local initiatives scheme, highlighting the added value of regular peer consultations.
The local initiatives are aimed at developing e-governance tools, fostering the participation of underrepresented groups such as youth and internally displaced persons, protecting the rights of veterans, and reinforcing social cohesion. They will be implemented from February to September 2024. Alongside a grant, the ten selected municipalities will benefit from targeted experts’ support in the development of tools, mechanisms, and policies that will strengthen their democratic innovations, communication skills, and financial management.
The local initiatives are implemented as part of the project “Strengthening multi-level governance, democracy and human rights at local level in Ukraine”, implemented by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” for 2023-2026. The project aims to strengthen the dialogue, partnership and consultation between different levels of government; enhance collaborative governance and citizen participation in line with the principles of local democracy and open government; and promote and guarantee the right to equality and non-discrimination at local level, for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.