On 12–13 June, the inspiring atmosphere of Chernihiv’s Art Museum was filled with the energy of professional development. These days were dedicated to the training of local self-government officials who represent the closest level of government to residents – the starostas. Fifty starostas from Bobrovytsia, Mena, Kozelets hromadas of Chernihiv oblast and Popivka hromada of Sumy oblast took part in the training.
Starosta – More Than an Administrator or Manager
Today, the role of the starosta in Ukrainian hromadas goes far beyond simple administration or management. Starostas help residents resolve daily issues, know their joys, concerns, and needs, and maintain constant communication. They serve as the voice of the community, communicators, advisors, crisis managers, facilitators of change, and much more.
The Polaris experts worked with participants to explore this wide range of starosta responsibilities throughout the training.
“A starosta is a local leader who keeps the hromada at the centre of attention every day. Their task is to create conditions for people’s lives, listen, support, involve residents in problem-solving, and most importantly – see the prospects for the development of their starosta district,” emphasised Andrii Matsokin, Head of the Institutional Capacity Development of Starostas component of the Polaris Programme.
Budget Processes Through the Lens of Residents’ Needs
The training placed particular emphasis on financial literacy for starostas. Expert Nataliia Mamchak shared practical cases on how to transform residents’ requests into well-substantiated budget initiatives and find a balance between the community’s financial capacity and the real needs of its people.
“The budget is always about priorities. If a starosta can fully understand the hromada’s needs and competently formulate them for decision-making – it means that budget policy works not on paper, but for the people,” Nataliia Mamchak stressed.
Participants practiced working with budget requests, communicating with council members, and effectively advocating for the needs of their districts before the local authorities.
Communication – the Foundation of Trust
A separate session focused on developing effective communication skills for starostas. Together with expert Pavlo Pushchenko, participants discussed real-life situations, difficult conversations, handling criticism, conflicts, and receiving feedback from residents.
“Openness, accessibility, and the ability to explain one’s decisions are the foundation of trust in local government. The starosta is not a person hidden in an office, but someone who is with residents daily – in the shop, on the street, in church or at the sports ground. Their communication is a channel for understanding, diffusing tension, and building community unity,” noted Pavlo Pushchenko.
Special Focus on Working with Veterans and Preventing Conflicts
Unfortunately, the war continues to affect communities, increasing the number of veterans and their families. A vital part of the training was a session led by expert Kateryna Timakina, dedicated to ethical communication with veterans, providing psychological support, and organising proper interaction.
“When a person returns from war, they are not simply returning home – they are searching for their new place within the hromada. The starosta must be the one who supports them on this path while preserving dignity and humanity,” stated Kateryna Timakina.
Another important topic was conflict of interest prevention in starostas’ work. Senior expert Olha Kalinichenko emphasised: “A starosta is about trust. And trust emerges where a person clearly knows the limits of their authority and operates within the legal framework. Adhering to ethical standards and conflict-of-interest regulations is the foundation for respect towards local authorities.”
Knowledge That Builds Strong Communities
The participants left Chernihiv with professional support, practical tools, and renewed confidence in their roles.
The Polaris Programme continues to systematically develop the potential of starostas as key agents of change in Ukraine’s multilevel governance system.
