On 26 June, an online presentation of the model Charter for territorial hromadas was held for partner hromadas of the Swedish-Ukrainian programme Polaris. The Charter is being developed by a working group under the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine. The event brought together representatives of 10 partner hromadas from across Ukraine, national experts on local democracy, local government officials and civil society organisations.
Law Requires – Hromadas Act
As emphasised by Maksym Latsyba, expert from the Ukrainian Independent Centre for Political Research (UICPR), under updated legislation, all Ukrainian territorial hromadas must adopt revised versions of their charters by the end of 2026. These new documents must not only comply with modern legal standards, but also serve as practical tools for citizen engagement in addressing local issues.
Key provisions must include four mandatory public participation mechanisms:
- General meetings of residents
- Public hearings
- Local initiatives
- Public evaluation of local government performance
Additionally, public hearings on budget planning and the introduction of electronic participation tools must become obligatory and accessible to every resident.
“A charter is not just a technical document. It’s a tool for building open governance that establishes clear rules, involves residents, and enhances accountability,” said Maksym Latsyba.
Accountability at the Core
The discussion also highlighted accountability requirements for local government bodies. According to Article 70(5) of the Law of Ukraine “On Local Self-Government”, heads of councils and executive bodies must report to the public twice a year, and deputies at least once. Reporting must be public, allowing residents to ask questions, and, where possible, use digital platforms.
Next Steps: Action Plan for Hromadas
Polaris programme expert Pavlo Pushchenko presented a step-by-step roadmap for developing individual charter drafts for each partner hromada. By the end of July, hromadas are expected to:
- Establish working groups
- Collect statistical data and relevant background information
- Outline the list of participation tools tailored to their local context
In August, the draft charters prepared by UICPR experts will be merged with locally developed contributions. In the autumn, information campaigns and public consultations will take place, after which the final drafts will be submitted for approval by local councils.
“Our goal, together with national experts, is to prepare individualised recommendations for each partner hromada and support local working groups in adapting the charters to their specific context,” noted Pavlo Pushchenko.
From Formality to Real Participation
Throughout the meeting, it was repeatedly stressed: a modern hromada charter should be a living document that fosters openness, trust, and cooperation. This means engaging youth, entrepreneurs, NGOs, and effectively communicating with residents via municipal websites and social media.
The Polaris programme will support hromadas at all stages – from expert analysis to assistance in holding public hearings and implementing the final charters.
As early as this autumn, the first partner hromadas will have updated, effective charters that lay the foundation for strong, citizen-centred local democracy.
