On 5 August, representatives of 13 partner hromadas of the Polaris Programme under the “Locally-led Recovery” component took part in an online training session on “Informing Residents about the Recovery Process”.
The training aimed to enhance the capacity of local self-government specialists to communicate the development of strategic and spatial planning documents effectively, transparently and inclusively. Particular attention was paid to how to present complex technical information in an accessible, understandable and engaging way for various target audiences.
In his opening remarks, Pavlo Pushchenko, a Polaris Programme expert on citizen engagement, emphasised the critical role of high-quality communication at the early planning stages:
“When developing strategic spatial documents, it’s essential to share information with the widest possible range of stakeholders – to spark their interest and involve them in the process. To do this, hromadas must have a clear communication plan: define the goal, identify the key target groups, and choose the most appropriate communication channels and formats,” said Pavlo Pushchenko, trainer and Programme expert.
Participants discussed in detail the principles of transparency, accessibility, clarity, and proactivity in communication. As highlighted during the presentation, it’s important not to wait for public concerns to arise but to provide explanations in advance – before misunderstandings occur.
One section of the webinar focused on the types of information-sharing – from announcing the start of document development to providing feedback to those involved in the process. The importance of civic education in the field of spatial planning was also emphasised.
The communication formats discussed included both digital channels (social media, messengers, chatbots, hromada websites) and traditional ones (leaflets, announcements, printed newsletters, and face-to-face communication via local elders or public meetings). During the training, Pavlo Pushchenko stressed the importance of tailoring messages to different groups of residents, considering factors such as age and internet access.
The webinar also paid significant attention to gender-sensitive communication – avoiding stereotypes, using gender-inclusive language, and ensuring balanced representation of women and men in the information space.
At the end of the session, participants raised several questions about applying the recommendations in their own hromadas, tools for monitoring communication effectiveness, and real-life examples.
The event confirmed the growing demand among hromadas for clear, accessible and strategic communication with residents about issues that shape their future. As practice shows, effective engagement begins with quality dialogue – speaking plainly about complex matters.
It is worth noting that “Public Engagement” is a cross-cutting theme of the Polaris Programme – along with gender equality and the integration of veteran perspectives into local policy. These themes underpin the Programme’s activities and are implemented in close cooperation with partner hromadas.
