On 17 April, experts from the Polaris Programme “Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine” conducted a working visit to the Skvyra urban territorial hromada in Kyiv oblast. This hromada has travelled a transformative path — from modelling starosta districts and defining their powers to auditing the Centre for Administrative Services (CAS) and ensuring real access to services in remote settlements within starosta districts. It’s a compelling example of how effective partnership can help hromadas not only solve practical challenges, but also reimagine their strategic development.
From Service Accessibility Modelling to Systemic Change
Polaris experts began working with Skvyra hromada in 2023 under the PROSTO project implemented in Ukraine by SALAR International until 2024. The initial challenge was to clarify the role of starostas and the system for delivering public services. Based on a thorough analysis of documentation and local decisions, Polaris expert Olha Kalinichenko proposed a new model that ultimately transformed not only how public services were delivered, but the very approach to the starosta institution.
“In Skvyra hromada, starostas were overloaded – performing duties that should have belonged to the CAS structure. This led to systemic failures and resident complaints. We proposed introducing remote CNAP administrator workstations – and it worked. Starostas could finally focus on local development,” – said Andrii Matsokin, Team Leader of Strengthening the Starosta Institution team.
The new division of responsibilities helped reduce the workload on starostas, improve service quality, strengthen links with the CAS, and decrease complaints. As a result, starostas began playing a more active role in local development, paid more attention to budgeting, and started systematically gathering residents’ needs and acting in their interests.
New Stage of Cooperation: CAS Audit
In 2025, the hromada contacted the Polaris Expert Support Service for Local Authorities with a new request — an audit of their CAS. As the hromada evolved, so did its needs: a new CAS building had been established, and now the goal was to organise its work effectively, ensuring accessibility for all resident groups.
“What matters is that the hromada didn’t stop at early successes –they keep improving. Our job is to support them where it’s most needed: now it’s about audits, zoning, process evaluation, and community engagement,” – explained Olha Kalinichenko, Polaris Programme expert.
During the visit, experts met with local leadership, assessed the accessibility and convenience of the CAS building, held discussions with starostas, and delivered a training session on “Recent Legislative Changes Affecting Starosta Activity”.
The day concluded with a strategic session with hromada leadership to summarise the visit and outline the next steps in cooperation. Starostas unanimously noted that, prior to implementing Polaris’ recommendations and establishing a unified, decentralised administrative service delivery system – both in the centre and former village councils – there had been a clear backlog in demand. With remote CAS administrator offices now in place, residents across all settlements receive services of equal quality and volume.
Partnership That Drives Progress
Polaris supports hromadas at every stage – from first steps to systemic service modernisation. Skvyra hromada shows how consistent work, openness to change, and professional dialogue lead to sustainable development.
“We work with each hromada not by the book, but according to their unique context, pace, and needs. That’s what builds trust and genuine partnership,” – concluded Olha Kalinichenko.
Skvyra proves that change happens where there’s a shared vision, a clear request, and a reliable partnership.
On 1 May, Polaris will open a new call for hromadas seeking expert support for the development of the starosta institution.
Stay tuned for our announcements.
