Polaris Programme "Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine" (2024-2028) is funded by the Government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and implemented by SALAR International.

The Polaris Programme aims to provide both short-term and long-term support, focusing on addressing the needs of the multilevel governance system while simultaneously enhancing the capacity of hromadas to deliver public services and take an active role in the recovery and reconstruction processes, in line with EU accession requirements.

One component of the Programme involves cooperation with national actors and policy aspects, while another focuses on providing direct support to hromadas.

The Programme provides material support to address the urgent needs of hromadas in crisis and coordinates with other international actors to implement recovery plans.

Polaris encompasses six thematic areas: education, fiscal decentralisation and budgeting, administrative services, locally-led recovery, municipal enterprises and international municipal рartnerships. Gender equality, citizen engagement, and veterans’ perspectives are integrated across all areas of the Programme.

The Programme cooperates with:

• The Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine;
• The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine;
• The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine;
• The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine;
• Relevant Committees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine;
• Regional state administrations;
• Local Government Associations;
• Local self-government bodies;
• ASC management;
• Reform coordination structures;
• Strategic advisory groups, expert communities, etc.

As of 1 July 2026, 122 hromadas across 22 regions of Ukraine are partners of the Polaris Programme.

Donor of the Programme
Sida – the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. Sida does not implement projects, but selects implementers and works with country and sectoral development strategies. Sida has long-term development cooperation with some 35 countries around the world and supports regional projects on most continents. Sida has been working in Ukraine since 1998.

Programme Implementing Organisation
SALAR International – an organisation representing the interests of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) in international activities. All 290 municipalities and 21 regions in Sweden are members of SALAR.

SALAR International works globally to support local democracy and good governance in developing and transitioning countries. Geographically, SALAR International’s projects cover countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, the Middle East and the Sub-Saharan Africa.