Education Financing in 2027: Key Approaches Discussed at a Polaris Workshop in Lviv

Education Financing in 2027: Key Approaches Discussed at a Polaris Workshop in Lviv

At the end of August, the Polaris Programme held a two-day workshop in Lviv on education financing and the distribution of the education subvention from the state budget to local budgets in 2027
The Women in Governance Network focused on practical advocacy for women’s rights at its latest meeting

The Women in Governance Network focused on practical advocacy for women’s rights at its latest meeting

On 27–28 August, a meeting of the Women in Governance Network of political leaders who are women in local self-government took place in Pirnove, Kyiv Oblast
Invitation to Hromadas for Partnership in "Integrating Veterans’ Perspectives into Municipal Work"

Invitation to Hromadas for Partnership in "Integrating Veterans’ Perspectives into Municipal Work"

The Polaris Programme invites territorial hromadas to partner in developing and implementing effective veteran policies and creating high-quality services for veterans and their families
How to Build Dialogue with Residents: Polaris Training for Starostas Continued in Rivne and Zhytomyr Oblasts

How to Build Dialogue with Residents: Polaris Training for Starostas Continued in Rivne and Zhytomyr Oblasts

At the end of August, the Polaris Programme held training sessions “From Information to Joint Decisions: Communication and Participation Tools for Starostas” in Rivne and Zhytomyr Oblasts
From Challenges to Effective Solutions: Development of Veteran Services at ASC's Discussed in Kropyvnytskyi

From Challenges to Effective Solutions: Development of Veteran Services at ASC's Discussed in Kropyvnytskyi

The Polaris Programme, together with the Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration, held the regional event “Veteran Policy at Administrative Services Centres: From Challenges to Effective Solutions”, which brought together around 70 representatives from 24 hromadas
Nine hromadas and a six-hromada cluster become Polaris partners under the International Municipal Cooperation track

Nine hromadas and a six-hromada cluster become Polaris partners under the International Municipal Cooperation track

The 10 participants, representing 10 oblasts of Ukraine, were selected from 107 applications. The new partners include rural, settlement and urban hromadas with between 5,000 and 34,000 residents
From Rules and Regulations to Practical Solution: Results of Polaris Management Practicums in Odesa and Mykolaiv Oblasts

From Rules and Regulations to Practical Solution: Results of Polaris Management Practicums in Odesa and Mykolaiv Oblasts

The Polaris Education Team held Management Practicums in Pivdenne hromada (Odesa Oblast) and Kobleve hromada (Mykolaiv Oblast)
Regional associations are strengthening their cooperation: a national training seminar was held in Zhytomyr

Regional associations are strengthening their cooperation: a national training seminar was held in Zhytomyr

Participants in the training seminar discussed how regional associations and regional branches of all-Ukrainian associations can collaborate more effectively, allocate roles, and jointly represent the interests of hromadas
Happy Independence Day of Ukraine!

Happy Independence Day of Ukraine!

Polaris wishes Ukraine a dignified peace, and local governments the strength, resilience, and opportunities to move forward. Happy Independence Day of Ukraine!
How Starostas Can Engage More Effectively with Residents: Polaris Launches a Series of Trainings in Partner Hromadas

How Starostas Can Engage More Effectively with Residents: Polaris Launches a Series of Trainings in Partner Hromadas

How can starostas maintain regular communication with residents, better understand their needs, and involve them in addressing issues in their hromadas? These topics were the focus of a series of Polaris trainings for starostas from partner hromadas
Invitation to Hromadas for Partnership in Municipal Enterprise Reform

Invitation to Hromadas for Partnership in Municipal Enterprise Reform

The Polaris Programme is expanding its support for municipal enterprise reform and invites hromadas to become partners
Invitation to Hromadas for Partnership in Fiscal Decentralisation

Invitation to Hromadas for Partnership in Fiscal Decentralisation

The Polaris Programme invites hromadas from the Volyn, Zhytomyr, Odesa, Ternopil, Chernivtsi, and Cherkasy oblasts to become partners in Fiscal Decentralisation 
Inclusive Education in Upper Secondary School: Comprehensive Solutions for Children with Special Educational Needs

Inclusive Education in Upper Secondary School: Comprehensive Solutions for Children with Special Educational Needs

Participants of the networking event “Inclusive Education in Upper Secondary School” discussed how to ensure the right of students with special educational needs to access upper secondary education and create opportunities for them to fully pursue their individual educational pathways within the lea ...
How to Prepare a School for the New Academic Year: Polaris Management Practicums in Hromadas of Chernivtsi Oblast

How to Prepare a School for the New Academic Year: Polaris Management Practicums in Hromadas of Chernivtsi Oblast

The Polaris education team continues to conduct Management Practicums — a format of practical support for hromada education management teams and heads of educational institutions in addressing specific management challenges. This time, the practicums took place in Chernivtsi Oblast
Polaris Will Provide Partner Hromadas with Expert Support in Developing Hromada Charters

Polaris Will Provide Partner Hromadas with Expert Support in Developing Hromada Charters

From 1 January 2027, adopting a Hromada Charter will become mandatory for every territorial hromada. With support from Polaris, 19 hromadas from 13 oblasts of Ukraine will receive expert assistance in developing a draft Charter.
Training Platform for ASC Heads: Eighth Cohort Starts

Training Platform for ASC Heads: Eighth Cohort Starts

The Polaris Programme invites Administrative Service Centers Heads to participate in The Training Platform. Seven previous training cohorts have already brought together 207 ASCs Heads, forming a strong professional community
Comprehensive Development of Services in the Uman Hromada: Audit of the ASC, Veterans’ Policy, Inclusion, and Accessibility

Comprehensive Development of Services in the Uman Hromada: Audit of the ASC, Veterans’ Policy, Inclusion, and Accessibility

Polaris Programme experts conducted an audit of the ASC in the Uman Hromada and proposed several options for further improving the delivery of services to residents. They also discussed veterans’ policy and gender equality with representatives of the city council
Polaris started cooperation with Khmelnytskyi and Chernivtsi oblasts on the comprehensive development of ASC networks

Polaris started cooperation with Khmelnytskyi and Chernivtsi oblasts on the comprehensive development of ASC networks

The Polaris Programme is expanding its cooperation: two more oblasts have joined the comprehensive planning of ASC network development. Six oblasts are now involved in the initiative
Invitation to Regional and Local Associations of Local Self-Government for Partnership in Strengthening the Starosta Institution

Invitation to Regional and Local Associations of Local Self-Government for Partnership in Strengthening the Starosta Institution

The goal of the initiative is to test a new partnership model, in which regional and local associations of local self-government serve as active participants in the professional development of local government officials and as platforms for the exchange of experiences among hromadas
How to Engage Starostas and Residents in Strategic Planning: Polaris Webinar for the Kolomyia Hromada

How to Engage Starostas and Residents in Strategic Planning: Polaris Webinar for the Kolomyia Hromada

The Polaris Programme expert team held a webinar for the Kolomyia urban territorial hromada “Engaging Starostas in the Development of the Hromada Development Strategy”
Education Practicum in the Drohobych Hromada: How Polaris Strengthens the Management Capacity of School Leaders

Education Practicum in the Drohobych Hromada: How Polaris Strengthens the Management Capacity of School Leaders

The Polaris Programme’s education team piloted the Education Practicum in the Drohobych hromada — a new format of hands-on support for school leaders and local education management teams in preparing for the new school year
Invitation to Hromadas for Partnership in Strengthening the Starosta Institution

Invitation to Hromadas for Partnership in Strengthening the Starosta Institution

One of the Programme’s top priorities is to support hromadas’ capacity to identify needs and ensure the provision of high-quality public services at the level of starosta districts and to define the role of the starosta in the hromada
Passing on Experience: New ASC Professionals Strengthen Their Skills in Kropyvnytskyi

Passing on Experience: New ASC Professionals Strengthen Their Skills in Kropyvnytskyi

Modern standards for administrative service delivery, digital tools, accessibility, and effective communication were the key focus areas of the "Skills for a Modern Administrative Service Centre Professional" training held on 15–17 July in Kropyvnytskyi
Starostas from hromadas in Chernihiv region strengthened their knowledge of preventing and responding to domestic violence

Starostas from hromadas in Chernihiv region strengthened their knowledge of preventing and responding to domestic violence

The Polaris Programme held a study visit and training session “The Role of Starostas in Preventing and Responding to Domestic Violence.” The event brought together around 30 starostas and other representatives of the Mena, Kozelets, and Bobrovytsia hromadas in Chernihiv region
Ensuring All Hromadas Are Ready for EU Integration: What Systemic Readiness Requires

Ensuring All Hromadas Are Ready for EU Integration: What Systemic Readiness Requires

On 15 June, Ukraine opened accession negotiations on the ‘Fundamentals’ cluster, and on 14 July, on the ‘External Relations’ cluster. This marks not only an important stage in the negotiation process with the EU, but also the start of practical preparations for the implementation of European legisla ...
Hromadas' Path to EU Programmes: Key Takeaways from the Brussels Meetings

Hromadas' Path to EU Programmes: Key Takeaways from the Brussels Meetings

During a study visit to Brussels, a Ukrainian delegation took part in a thematic seminar and discussed current and future opportunities for hromadas under EU programmes and instruments with representatives of EU institutions
Invitation to Hromadas for Partnership in International Municipal Cooperation: Mentoring Support

Invitation to Hromadas for Partnership in International Municipal Cooperation: Mentoring Support

Over the period of 10 months (September 2026 – June 2027), 10 hromadas or clusters of hromadas will receive support in developing project ideas, strengthening international communications and establishing contacts with European municipalities and institutions.
 Partnership Opportunities for Hromadas in the Second Phase of the Polaris Programme

Partnership Opportunities for Hromadas in the Second Phase of the Polaris Programme

Polaris Programme thanks its partner hromadas for their cooperation and commitment to driving change. For some hromadas, the current phase of work under the Programme is coming to an end, while with others we continue to work actively in the selected areas of partnership.
Cities4Cities Mentorship: results of the first phase of international capacity-building for hromadas within the framework of the Polaris Programme

Cities4Cities Mentorship: results of the first phase of international capacity-building for hromadas within the framework of the Polaris Programme

Over seven months, ten hromadas strengthened their international capacity, established partnerships with organisations from 14 countries, joined international consortiums and prepared their first grant applications.
Invitation to Hromadas for Partnership in Locally-Led Recovery

Invitation to Hromadas for Partnership in Locally-Led Recovery

Our aim is to promote the sustainable development of hromadas and regions, to foster synergy between local and regional planning, and to support the processes of European integration in Ukraine.

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