In August, the team of experts from the “Support for Accessibility of Administrative Services” direction of the Polaris Programme continued working visits to the 35 hromadas selected to participate in the partnership programme aimed at developing a high-quality system for delivering administrative services. From 5 to 8 August, they visited six hromadas in Mykolaiv Oblast – Chornomorsk, Voskresensk, Kazankiv, Doroshivka, Prybuzhany and Syniukhyn Brid, and also began cooperation with the Korop hromada in Chernihiv Oblast.
Working Visits to Hromadas in Mykolaiv Oblast: Detailed Analysis and Practical Support
The team, consisting of Petro Makarenko and Alla Kovalchuk, visited the partner hromadas of Mykolaiv Oblast, where they met with local leadership, council members, starostas, representatives of executive bodies, and Administrative Services Centres (ASC), with the support of the Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration.
During the week, the experts assessed the capacity to establish ASCs in hromadas where such institutions have not yet been created, thoroughly examined the organisation of work in existing ASCs and their administrative service delivery processes, and discussed next steps for effective partnership with each hromada. Based on the results of these visits, a roadmap for creating or developing ASCs will be prepared for each hromada.
Petro Makarenko emphasised: “Working directly in the hromadas allows us not only to assess the current state of service delivery but also to understand the real needs of people and the potential for growth. We aim to make administrative services as transparent, convenient and accessible as possible.”
Start of Cooperation with the Korop Hromada: New Opportunities for Quality Administrative Services
Alongside the visits in Mykolaiv Oblast, on 6–7 August, Polaris Programme experts Olha Kalinichenko and Yulia Savelieva met with the team of the Korop hromada in Chernihiv Oblast.
The meeting was attended by hromada head Volodymyr Kunitsyn, head of the ASC Halyna Lavryk, the ASC team, and hromada starostas. The experts immediately began analysing the ASC’s operations to identify opportunities for further development and to improve accessibility of administrative services. The hromada comprises 50 settlements, and each resident requires high-quality, user-friendly services.
Halyna Lavryk noted: “The first stage of work has already been completed – together with the experts, we analysed the space where administrative services are provided and identified practices that need improvement, expansion of accessibility, and enhancement of service quality, including the creation of remote workplaces. This is a strong foundation for further development of our ASC.”
A particularly important part of the visit was the training on “Inclusion, Accessibility and the Gender Dimension in the Provision of Public Services”, held on 7 August. Participants included starostas, clerks, ASC staff, and social protection workers.
Gender expert Yulia Savelieva highlighted the importance of the social aspect: “Inclusion and accessibility are not trends – they are real opportunities to make services available to everyone: older people, those limited by caring responsibilities for children or other family members, people with disabilities, and residents of remote villages. Every ASC should implement solutions that minimise these barriers.”
The knowledge gained will help make hromada services more open and accessible to all population groups.
Organisation of Work and Plans for the Future
Through close cooperation with hromadas, professional analysis, and practical training, the Programme supports the creation of a modern, transparent, and accessible administrative service system. Inclusion, accessibility, and gender-sensitive approaches are becoming priorities in ASC operations, opening new opportunities for all population groups.
The further development of these initiatives will bring Ukrainian governance closer to European standards, ensuring quality services and increasing public trust in local authorities.
Photos of Programme experts and hromada websites
