On 20 May, experts from the Swedish-Ukrainian Programme Polaris “Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine” paid a working visit to the Bobrovytsia hromada in Chernihiv oblast. The purpose of the visit was to deepen partnership, exchange experience, and deliver a practical training for community starostas and local government officials.
The visit began with a meeting with the hromada leadership to discuss future areas of cooperation in strengthening local self-government, improving the quality of administrative services, and involving residents in decision-making processes.
The key element of the programme was a roundtable training session on “The Role of the Elder in the Hrodada and the Provision of Public Services in Starosta Districts”. Around 20 participants took part in the event – including starostas, local councillors, executives of local government bodies, and municipal staff.
During the training, participants explored the role of starosta as a key link between residents and local authorities, and shared best practices for delivering services in remote areas.
“Starostas play a crucial role in the development of communities. They are the first to hear the needs of residents and must be capable of responding quickly. That’s why our trainings focus on enhancing the professional capacity of starostas and local government staff,” said Andrii Matsokin, Team Leader of the Strengthening the Starosta Institution Team at Polaris.
Particular attention was paid to the legal aspects of the starostas’ work, their communication with residents, and practical tools for effective local management.
“We aim to speak in simple terms about complex matters. It’s not just about legislation – it’s about everyday decisions that directly affect the quality of life in villages and settlements,” added Olha Kalinichenko, Senior Expert of the Polaris Programme.
After the training, experts and local representatives visited several starosta districts to observe service delivery practices and speak directly with residents.
The team also visited the local Administrative Services Centre (ASC), focusing on service organisation and the challenges related to accessibility and service quality.
“It was a real pleasure to work with the starostas of Bobrovytsia. I was especially impressed by Olha Shylko, Head of the local ASC. Her energy, leadership, and partnerships with international programmes are helping expand access to quality services for all residents. You can feel that this hromada draws strength from its people – something the starostas are especially proud of,” shared Olha Kalinichenko.
This working visit to the Bobrovytsia hromada marked another important step towards sustainable local self-government in Ukraine and the strengthening of hromadas’ role in the public administration system. The Polaris Programme remains committed to supporting municipalities in building effective, transparent, and people-centred governance.
