On 6 June, the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils (UADRC) held a general assembly of its members with the support of the Polaris Programme. The event marked another step in the development of democratic, member-driven local self-government associations – one of the Programme’s key focus areas.
As part of the meeting, the UADRC Development Strategy for 2025–2027 was adopted, outlining the association’s key goals and directions for the coming three years, particularly in the areas of EU integration, strengthening the capacity of regional self-government, and inter-association cooperation.
Tetiana Yehorova-Lutsenko, President of UADRC and Chair of the Kharkiv Oblast Council, commented: “District and regional councils demonstrate that local self-government can be not only effective, but also strategic. UADRC works to strengthen the institutional capacity of our councils — through training, partnerships, and participation in processes that are transforming the country. This is the European approach to governance: bottom-up, not top-down.”
During the event, the Polaris team also conducted a facilitated session on the role of local government associations in EU integration processes, focusing on UADRC’s potential in this area. Since 80% of EU legislation is implemented at the local level, local government associations can serve as key drivers of change, enhancing the institutional capacity of local authorities and ensuring that the local perspective is reflected in EU integration policies.
Sergii Tereshko, Deputy Ambassador of Ukraine’s Mission to the EU, outlined the role of the regional and subregional levels in Ukraine’s EU accession process and emphasised the importance of partnerships for effective integration.
Bohdan Kilichavyi, Board Member and Head of the International Cooperation Platform for Hromadas, stressed the importance of close cooperation and coordinated action among associations in the area of EU integration, noting that such synergy is essential for effectively representing hromadas and supporting the implementation of EU standards at the local level.
The Polaris Programme also provided UADRC with recommendations on improving democratic procedures and leadership within the association. Special attention during the meeting was given to discussing the next steps under the memorandum of cooperation between Polaris and UADRC. Key topics included gender equality, education in occupied and frontline territories, division of powers between local self-government bodies, and cooperation among all local government associations.
“Democratic and member-driven local government associations are key to ensuring a strong voice for local self-government in EU integration and Ukraine’s recovery. A united voice of hromadas, amplified through association cooperation, is a voice that influences decisions, shapes policies, and defines the future. This is why we support the consolidation of association positions as a strategically important step for local governance, EU integration, and Ukraine’s reconstruction,” said Aider Seitosmanov, Team Leader for “Support for Self-Government Associations” of the Polaris Programme.
