On 21–22 October, a two-day training titled “The Role of the Starosta in the Hromada: Tools for Strengthening Institutional Capacity” took place in Rivne, organised by the Polaris Programme. The event brought together over 40 starostas from partner hromadas in Zhytomyr and Rivne oblasts. Over two days, participants engaged in practical sessions, discussing the starosta’s role in community development, effective communication, budget interaction, integration of the gender approach, working with veterans, and upholding ethical standards in public service.
Day One: Communication, Development and Legal Aspects of the Starosta’s Work
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Leonid Korzun, Head of the Kurnen hromada (Zhytomyr oblast):
“Each hromada faces its own challenges, and overcoming them successfully requires knowledge. Training for starostas and the exchange of experience between hromadas help strengthen management skills, find new approaches to solving local issues, and improve effectiveness in everyday community work.”
During the introductory session, participants presented their hromadas and shared their learning expectations, while the Programme experts outlined the training goals – to strengthen starostas’ professional capacity and develop practical skills in management and communication.
The Starosta and Communication
The first session was led by Pavlo Pushchenko, Citizen Engagement Expert of the Polaris Programme. He discussed the principles of effective public communication, structuring messages, and tools for involving residents in decision-making in line with new legislation on local democracy.
“It’s the starosta’s communication duty to identify from the vast flow of information and documents what matters most to residents of their administrative area – and convey it simply, clearly and promptly through diverse communication channels,” emphasised Pavlo Pushchenko.
Participants analysed real examples of public messages and discussed communication challenges from their own hromadas.
Veterans in the Hromada: Dialogue and Cooperation
One of the most emotionally engaging sessions was led by Kateryna Timakina, Programme Expert, focusing on interaction with veterans. The group discussed social reintegration, communication with military families, and cooperation with veterans’ organisations.
“Veterans are not only those who need support – they are those who can provide it. A starosta should see them as partners and active citizens capable of uniting people around shared values,” highlighted Kateryna Timakina.
The session concluded with participants developing short action plans for engaging veterans in community life.
Legal Status and Powers of the Starosta
The final session of the first day was delivered by Andrii Matsokin, Head of the Starosta Capacity Development Area of the Polaris Programme. He outlined key legal provisions regulating the starosta’s work, emphasising the importance of proper documentation and legal accountability.
“In their daily work, it’s vital for starostas to clearly understand the legal boundaries of their powers – this ensures consistency, legality, and trust in local decision-making,” stressed Andrii Matsokin.
Day Two: The Human Dimension of the Starosta’s Work
Gender Perspective and Mapping Needs
The second day began with a practical session led by Yuliia Savelieva, Gender Expert. She emphasised the importance of considering the needs of all social groups – women, men, youth, persons with disabilities, veterans, and others – when planning local development.
“Every local decision affects different groups differently. The starosta’s task is to recognise these differences and plan community development based on fairness and equality,” noted Yuliia Savelieva.
Examples from hromadas showed how even universal services may need fine-tuning for specific population groups. For instance, postal services might need to differ for young people seeking fast delivery and for elderly residents who rely on the post office for pensions and utility payments.
Participants created “needs maps” for their areas, identified groups requiring additional attention, and discussed ways to integrate gender-sensitive approaches into their development planning.
Budget, Investment, and Territorial Development
In the afternoon, starostas worked with Nataliia Mamchak, Programme Expert, exploring local budgets and resource mobilisation for community development. Combining theory and practice, participants simulated identifying residents’ needs, prioritising projects, and justifying budget decisions.
“A starosta is a bridge between the hromada, the city council, and executive bodies. Understanding the budgeting process enables them to help residents formulate initiatives and implement them jointly with local authorities, fostering their community’s growth,” explained Nataliia Mamchak.
Starosta and Conflict of Interest
A vital session – “The Starosta and Conflict of Interest” – was led by Olha Kalinichenko, Programme Expert. Through interactive discussion, participants learned to recognise potential conflicts of interest, act in line with anti-corruption law, and maintain ethical standards in public service.
Training Outcomes
Participants noted that the training provided not only knowledge but also practical tools for their daily work – from effective communication and budget justification to ethical management and social engagement.
The training became a platform for professional growth, experience exchange, and practical solutions that will help starostas strengthen cooperation with residents and drive the development of their hromadas.
