On 28–29 May in Ternopil, the Swedish-Ukrainian Polaris Programme hosted a two-day training titled “The Role of the Starosta in a Hromada: Tools for Strengthening Institutional Capacity”. The event brought together nearly 50 representatives of partner hromadas from across Ukraine – including starostas, heads of structural departments, and local self-government professionals.
Over the course of two days, participants explored new governance tools, worked in teams, discussed the everyday challenges starostas face, and searched for shared solutions to strengthen starosta-led districts.
A Practical Training Focused on Local Needs
The training covered the key responsibilities of starostas – from budget participation and community communication to gender-sensitive spatial planning, legal responsibilities of officeholders, and work with veterans. According to Andrii Matsokin, Team Leader of the Polaris Strengthening the Starosta Institution team, the aim was not just to provide theory, but to create a space for live peer exchange and real-life scenario work.
“A starosta is not just the ‘face of government’ in the community. They are communicators, organisers, and advocates for residents’ interests. Our task is to equip them with tools to perform these roles effectively,” – emphasised Andrii Matsokin.
Finance and Trust: How Starostas Can Shape Local Development
The first day focused heavily on financial capacity and the role of starostas in local budgeting. Polaris expert Nataliia Mamchak led a hands-on session on “Budgeting, Investment, and Territorial Development”. Participants not only discussed the starosta’s role in planning but also engaged with tools for community budgeting.
A highlight was the interactive exercise “Identifying Residents’ Priorities and Budget Interaction”, where participants practised building dialogue between residents, local deputies, and executive bodies. They developed a clear action plan – from identifying a local issue to preparing a justified budget request.
This session helped participants better understand their potential as development agents – capable of initiating changes not just in the social realm, but also in the financial and economic life of their hromadas.
Communication That Works
One of the most dynamic sessions was led by Pavlo Pushchenko, Polaris Programme expert on citizen engagement. Together with participants, he explored best practices in effective messaging, communication techniques, and feedback management.
“A starosta is not just a bureaucrat. They must be someone who listens and speaks the language of the people. We need to foster a culture of open and human-centred communication at the local level,” – said Pavlo Pushchenko, Polaris expert.
People and Interaction at the Centre
Another key session addressed the gender component in local governance. Expert Nataliia Chuiko emphasised the importance of recognising the different needs of diverse population groups when planning local development:
“Gender-sensitive governance isn’t about political correctness – it’s about effectiveness. If a starosta doesn’t know what truly matters to women, elderly people, or youth in their district, they won’t be able to plan meaningful change,” – Nataliia Chuiko, trainer.
This session sparked active discussion and helped participants reconceptualise their roles – not only as administrators, but as facilitators of local change and community support.
Leadership Built on Trust
The final day included a dedicated session on working with war veterans, led by trainer Kateryna Timakina, who shared guidance on respectful and effective interaction with veterans and their families.
A separate session on the legal status and responsibilities of starostas, led by Polaris senior expert Olha Kalinichenko, tackled the topic of conflicts of interest. Using real-world examples, participants learned prevention techniques and decision-making algorithms for navigating such challenges at the local level.
“In many cases, the work of a starosta involves a potential conflict of interest that, under certain conditions, can become a real one. That’s why it is essential that starostas strictly follow rules on preventing and managing conflicts of interest,” – Olha Kalinichenko, Polaris senior legal expert.
This session sparked active discussion and helped participants reconceptualise their roles – not only as administrators, but as facilitators of local change and community support.
Reflections and Results
The training concluded with a reflection session. Participants expressed gratitude to the Polaris team for a rich programme, practical casework, and a safe professional environment for open exchange.
Improving public service delivery in starosta districts requires a systematic approach and continuous professional development of those who serve their hromadas on the frontlines. Trainings like the one in Ternopil demonstrate one clear truth: strong hromadas begin with capable starostas.
