Ivano-Frankivsk became a space of inspiration and professional growth for starostas from Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil and Chernivtsi oblasts. On 9–10 October, the training “The Role of the Starosta in the Hromada: Tools for Strengthening Institutional Capacity” was held as part of the Polaris Programme – Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine.
The event brought together 45 starostas from partner hromadas – people who work daily to solve residents’ issues and strengthen trust in local government. For them, the training was not just a learning session but an opportunity to exchange experience and look at their work more broadly – as a process of managing territorial development through understanding local needs, building cooperation between executive bodies, and taking responsibility for community-level decisions.
With a welcoming address, Vitalii Fedoriv, Deputy Mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk and Director of the Department for Youth Policy, Sports, Territorial Development and Work with Internally Displaced Persons, highlighted the importance of such events for the professional growth of starostas and the development of local self-government. He emphasised that starostas are “the face of local authority” in their territories, as they best understand people’s needs and can turn them into concrete management decisions.
Day One. Trust as the Foundation of Cooperation
The training began with presentations from participating hromadas and a joint discussion of expectations. The Programme experts emphasised that a starosta is a person who creates an atmosphere of trust in the hromada, builds bridges between authorities and residents, and feels the pulse of local life.
The first thematic block focused on a particularly sensitive topic – “Veterans in the Hromada: Features of Communication and Interaction.” Programme expert Kateryna Timakina shared practical communication tools, spoke about the emotional challenges veterans face upon returning home, and the role of starostas in creating a safe and respectful environment.
“A starosta can be the person who helps a veteran find support and trust within the hromada. It’s important not to fear conversations – to listen, even to difficult stories, and search for solutions together. A safe, respectful environment begins with everyday trust,” said Kateryna Timakina.
Participants discussed real-life cases, modelled dialogue situations, and learned to hear the human story behind every word.
The final session of the day focused on preventing conflicts of interest. Programme expert Olha Kalinichenko explained how to identify potential risks, avoid violations, and act with integrity in complex situations.
“Public trust is built on openness and predictability. When a starosta clearly explains their decisions, it prevents misunderstandings, avoids conflicts of interest, and strengthens the credibility of local governance,” noted Olha Kalinichenko.
In the afternoon, the starostas joined the celebration of Ivano-Frankivsk Hromada Day, where they learned about local initiatives and community engagement practices.
Day Two. Communication, Budget, and the Hromada Through People’s Eyes
The second day began with reflection – participants shared insights and discoveries from the first day.
The first session, “The Starosta and Communication”, was led by Pavlo Pushchenko, an expert in public engagement. He explained how to prepare effective public messages, build open communication channels, and involve residents in addressing local issues.
“When a starosta explains what’s happening, which decisions are being made and why – that’s the best way to prevent mistrust and rumours,” said Pavlo Pushchenko.
The next block, “Budget, Investment, and Territorial Development”, was led by Programme expert Nataliia Mamchak, who helped participants understand how to identify residents’ priorities and reflect them in the budget process, forming shared development goals.
“A starosta must understand processes, tools, and opportunities to act in people’s interests. Knowing how budgets, grants, partnerships and resources work – and how to cooperate with others – gives real influence over local development,” emphasised Nataliia Mamchak.
The following session, facilitated by Kateryna Rostovska, the Programme’s gender expert, focused on gender-sensitive and spatial planning. Through practical exercises, participants learned to view public spaces through the eyes of diverse community groups – women and men, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
“A hromada becomes truly inclusive when care for its residents is not seen as ‘extra’, but as a foundation of planning – both budgetary and spatial,” highlighted Kateryna Rostovska.
The final session, “The Starosta: Legal Status and Execution of Powers”, was delivered by Andrii Matsokin, Head of the Programme’s direction on strengthening institutional capacity of starostas. He focused on the legal framework and practical mechanisms of local decision-making.
“A starosta is not just a technical executor or the mayor’s assistant. They are an authorised community representative entrusted to defend the interests of their residents,” stressed Andrii Matsokin.
The training concluded with a reflection session, where participants discussed the knowledge they gained and how it could improve community life.
“Such training initiatives are an excellent opportunity for local self-government representatives to enhance professional competencies, exchange experience, and take another step toward strengthening institutional capacity and Ukraine’s integration into the European community,” said Vadym Boiarskyi, Head of Shumsk Hromada in Ternopil Oblast.
Postscript. Starostas Who Create Change
The two-day training in Ivano-Frankivsk became more than a learning event – it was a joint laboratory of leadership and trust. Starostas not only gained new skills but also saw themselves as key agents of development – those who can unite their hromadas around people-centred solutions.
The training showed that effective change begins with the combination of knowledge and understanding – when legal tools are supported by dialogue, trust and respect. This is how a new culture of local governance is taking shape in Ukraine.
