On 8–9 April, experts from the Polaris Programme conducted a working visit to the Uzhhorod City Council to familiarise themselves with the Council's work and provide recommendations for further development of the Administrative Service Centre (ASC). The visit was initiated by the city’s leadership to strengthen dialogue between representatives of local self-government, civil society organisations, and the active members of the hromada.
The visit covered a wide range of topics – from analysing the quality of administrative services at the ASC and reviewing staffing policies, to practical aspects of informing and engaging residents. Particular attention was given to assessing compliance of procedures with current legislation, the functioning of front and back offices, improving communication with civil society organisations, and enhancing the institutional capacity of the hromada. A key component of the visit was a training session for local officials and city councillors on best practices for engaging with residents.
Focus of the Meeting – Effective Cooperation Between Government and Civil Society
The meeting brought together representatives of civil society organisations, the Uzhhorod Youth Council, the Sieverskyi Donets Crisis Media Centre, as well as representatives of city council departments. Key discussion topics included:
- development of democratic participation tools, such as new forms of direct democracy under the Law on Popular Power in Hromadas, which came into force in January 2025
- networking and mutual support among civil society organisations
- application of participatory budgeting in wartime conditions
- support for volunteer projects and school-based public budgets
- implementation of the National Strategy for the Development of Civil Society
Pavlo Pushchenko, an expert with the Polaris Programme, highlighted:
“Successful partnerships between the civic sector and local authorities are built on mutual trust, transparency, clearly defined responsibilities, and shared motivation. Uzhhorod already presents a positive example – particularly in its work with internally displaced persons – that could serve as a model for other hromadas across Ukraine. The success of a hromada depends on the local government’s ability to adapt to legislative changes, coordinate efforts across departments, and maintain an active civil society environment.”
City Council – On the ASC and Cooperation With Civil Society
Uzhhorod’s Administrative Service Centre (ASC) currently provides 366 services, most of which are available through a single visit. In 2024, the centre delivered over 51,000 services.
Deputy Mayor Mykhailo Marhita noted:
“We invited experts from the Polaris Programme to gain a professional perspective on the operation of our ASC and find ways to improve engagement with residents. We’re particularly interested in practical expertise – legislation combined with real success stories – that can help make the ASC more effective and useful for the hromada.”
Joint Steps Towards Partnership
Yuliana Bokoch, Head of the Investment and Cooperation with Charitable Organisations Department, shared the city’s experience in implementing grant-funded projects in partnership with civil society organisations.
Participants shared their own project experiences, reflected on current challenges, and suggested ways to deepen cooperation – including joint training in grant writing and participation in national and international networks such as the Civic Initiatives Club.
These discussions laid the foundation for continued collaboration between the Polaris Programme and the Uzhhorod hromada.
The visit marked another step towards a resilient and open dialogue between local authorities and the hromada – enabling joint responses to local needs and improving the quality of life for Uzhhorod residents.
