On 22 September, experts of the “Citizen Engagement at the Local Level” area of the Polaris Programme, Pavlo Pushchenko and Natalia Chuiko, made working visits to two partner hromadas in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast – Solone and Krynychky.
The purpose of the visits was to familiarise themselves with the work of local councils and working groups developing draft Statutes of the territorial hromadas, as well as to provide consultations on introducing modern mechanisms for citizen participation in decision-making processes.
How the visits were structured
Each trip included several stages:
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a meeting with hromada leadership and a presentation of cooperation opportunities with the Polaris Programme;
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an information session for deputies, starostas, activists, and representatives of civil society organisations;
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joint work with the local working groups on draft Statutes, discussion of citizen participation tools and new legislative requirements;
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consultations on organising public hearings and designing information campaigns to explain the Statute and the democratic instruments it enshrines.
Key discussion points
In the hromadas, there were active discussions about the implementation of the updated Law “On Local Self-Government”, which strengthens the role of residents in local processes. Among other things, the conversations focused on the new requirements for mayors, deputies, and executive bodies to report publicly to residents, as well as on mechanisms for conducting public hearings, consultations, and assemblies.
Natalia Chuiko, expert of the “Citizen Engagement at the Local Level” area of the Polaris Programme, emphasised:
“The new legislation brings not only additional obligations for hromadas but also new opportunities. It is important that community Statutes reflect these norms in a way that ensures they work in practice and truly involve residents in decision-making. This gives a chance to make the hromada more open and responsive to people’s needs.”
The working groups of Solone and Krynychky hromadas have already prepared draft Statutes and will soon present them for public discussion.
Pavlo Pushchenko, coordinator of the “Citizen Engagement at the Local Level” area of the Polaris Programme, added:
“Since a hromada’s Statute is primarily a document about interaction between residents and local self-government bodies, it is crucial to conduct thorough discussions and receive feedback directly from residents. This will make the Statutes more understandable, transparent, and effective.”
Practical implementation
The Polaris Programme supports hromadas not only in drafting their Statutes but also in conducting information and awareness campaigns. This includes training activities, information materials, and assistance with communication initiatives to explain the importance of the Statute and the new forms of participation it introduces.
In this way, Solone and Krynychky hromadas have joined the first group of 10 Polaris partner hromadas that are systematically implementing the updated legislation on people’s power, building more transparent, accountable, and democratic governance at the local level.
