On 6–7 November, Kyiv hosted a two-day training “The Role of the Starosta in the Hromada: Tools for Strengthening Institutional Capacity” for representatives of four second-cohort Polaris partner hromadas: Rozdilna hromada (Odesa oblast), Kazanka hromada (Mykolaiv oblast), and Obukhiv and Borodianka hromadas (Kyiv oblast). The training brought together more than 40 starostas.
The event took place within the work of the Polaris Programme’s area on strengthening the institutional capacity of starostas. Its objective was to enhance the professional, communication and managerial competencies of starostas in the context of current challenges facing local self-government – including building effective interaction with residents, working with veterans, integrating gender sensitivity into decision-making, and strengthening cooperation with hromada heads and local councillors.
Day One: Communication and Community Interaction
The participants began by presenting their hromadas and sharing expectations, which made it possible to tailor the training sessions to real local needs.
Kateryna Timakina led a session focused on developing community-based support for veterans – how to build sensitive, partnership-oriented and effective assistance at the local level.
This was followed by a practical session from Pavlo Pushchenko, Polaris expert on community engagement, on preparing public messaging and improving communication between starostas and residents: how to build dialogue, involve citizens in addressing local issues and foster a culture of participation.
Together with Olha Kalinichenko, participants examined the topic of conflict of interest and the specifics of ensuring residents’ access to administrative services within the scope of starosta powers.
Day Two: Budgeting, Local Development and Legal Aspects
The second day opened with a session by Polaris expert Nataliia Mamchak on budgeting processes and tools for attracting investments at the level of starosta districts. Participants discussed opportunities for local economic development and planning territorial priorities.
An important component of the day was a practical exercise moderated by Kateryna Rostovska on integrating gender-sensitive approaches into starosta activities, as well as spatial planning that reflects the needs of different groups within the community.
The training concluded with a session led by Andrii Matsokin, Head of the Polaris area on strengthening starosta institutional capacity, on the legal status and powers of the starosta. The focus was on the starosta as a local leader and representative of the hromada within the starosta district.
“A starosta is the voice and the face of community residents in their locality. It is crucial that this voice is professional, confident, and guided by the interests of people. Our task is to strengthen the capacity of starostas as territorial leaders who can work with residents, support veterans, promote participation, communicate effectively and drive the development of their hromadas,” – emphasized Andrii Matsokin.
Participants highlighted the practicality of the tools gained during the training, their applicability in daily work, and the importance of forming a network of starostas for peer support and knowledge exchange.
“Developing a holistic understanding of the starosta’s role within the modern local self-government system depends on the activity and competence of starostas themselves, as it directly influences the quality of life in the community,” – noted Larysa Ilienko, Secretary of the Obukhiv City Council.
