The Polaris Programme “Supporting Multi-level Governance in Ukraine” has announced the selection results for partner hromadas under the “Local Recovery” initiative. With the support of the Programme, local authorities will gain additional opportunities to attract investment, restore infrastructure, and improve service delivery.
The “Local Recovery” initiative is implemented in partnership with and with the advisory support of the Ministry for Development of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure of Ukraine.
A total of 121 hromadas from 12 oblasts participated in the selection process, and 13 hromadas from seven oblasts were chosen:
- Blyzniuky rural hromada – Kharkiv oblast
- Vasylkivka rural hromada – Dnipropetrovsk oblast
- Vilniansk city hromada – Zaporizhzhia oblast
- Dymer rural hromada – Kyiv oblast
- Zlatopil city hromada – Kharkiv oblast
- Kobleve rural hromada – Mykolaiv oblast
- Konotop city hromada – Sumy oblast
- Novyi Buh city hromada – Mykolaiv oblast
- Oleksandrivka rural hromada – Donetsk oblast
- Pavlivske rural hromada – Zaporizhzhia oblast
- Samar city hromada – Dnipropetrovsk oblast
- Solonе rural hromada – Dnipropetrovsk oblast
- Khmelivka rural hromada – Sumy oblast
“The recovery of hromadas is not just about rebuilding infrastructure—it is a comprehensive transformation that encompasses social cohesion, local economic development, and a sustainable approach to spatial planning. Thanks to the Polaris Programme, hromadas receive expert support in implementing integrated planning based on environmental principles, as well as in developing projects aimed at attracting investment. This ensures that recovery efforts meet the real needs of all residents and lay the foundation for long-term resilience. We are pleased to collaborate with these 13 partner hromadas and look forward to expanding this support in the future,” said Susanna Dellans, Head of the Polaris Programme in Ukraine and Representative of SALAR International in Ukraine.
Under this partnership, hromadas will receive expert and technical assistance to plan comprehensive recovery, identify projects to stimulate local development during and after the war.
Support will be tailored to the specific needs of each hromada, considering various approaches to integrated recovery planning. It will focus on resilience, sustainable development, and gradual integration with European standards and practices.
Each selected hromada faces unique challenges and opportunities, with both rural and urban communities ranging in population from 5,000 to over 90,000 residents. During the selection process, which began in December 2024, the Polaris team visited many hromadas that demonstrated their challenges and motivation to join the partnership. The Programme will provide support based on the needs of each hromada and aims to extend its benefits to as many communities as possible. New opportunities for collaboration will be announced in due course.
The “Local Recovery” initiative will include:
- Expert guidance in developing the most relevant regulatory documents for each hromada’s strategic and spatial planning, from analysis to implementation mechanisms and synchronisation when needed. This includes Comprehensive Recovery Programmes, Recovery and Development Plans, Development Strategies, Integrated Spatial Development Concepts, and Comprehensive Spatial Plans.
- Assessment and capacity-building for local government specialists in strategic and spatial planning, as well as in implementing recovery projects.
- Recommendations on funding opportunities for the implementation of recovery projects outlined in strategic and spatial planning documents.
- Training programmes for architects, land management specialists, and local government officials responsible for the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and updating of strategic and spatial documents.
- Institutional support, advisory assistance, and implementation guidance to improve governance structures for strategic and spatial planning, as well as skills in working with geospatial data.
- Knowledge exchange and best practice sharing among Polaris Programme partner hromadas.
On 26 March, the “Recovery in Action: Evidence-Based Planning at the Local Level” conference will take place. During the event, the Programme will present its approach to cooperation with hromadas and sign partnership memoranda.
