On 30 April – 1 May, a training organised by the Polaris Programme “Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine” took place in Poltava, bringing together 27 starostas from partner hromadas to strengthen their leadership roles, exchange experiences, and gain practical tools for community development.
The event served as a platform to boost institutional capacity, enhance communication with residents, and explore new solutions for the development of starosta districts. The training aimed to equip starostas with practical instruments for strengthening their role within hromadas, promoting territorial development, supporting veterans, ensuring gender equality, and improving citizen engagement.
Identifying Residents’ Needs: The Foundation for Hromada Development
The training began with a focus on identifying the needs and interests of residents in starosta districts. Natalia Mamchak, an expert of the Polaris Programme, emphasised that territorial development is impossible without a true understanding of what people need.
“In my view, real development starts with understanding people’s needs, working together, and having the capacity to make responsible decisions. Finances are important, but they’re not the deciding factor. The starosta is not just a representative but a bridge between residents and governance,” said Natalia Mamchak. “That’s why we discussed how starostas can be involved in the community budgeting process, with a step-by-step guide to actions and communications.”
Practical exercises helped participants explore real-life methods for gathering and analysing residents’ input and translating it into local development initiatives.
The Legal Status of the Starosta: Rights, Responsibilities, and Challenges
The next topic covered was a thorough understanding of the legal framework governing starostas. Olga Kalinichenko, a Polaris expert, outlined the official responsibilities of these local leaders and discussed the specifics of legal regulation in their work, placing particular focus on preventing conflicts of interest.
Participants analysed real-life cases related to starosta accountability and reviewed decisions that could create risks in terms of legality.
Communication as a Leadership Tool
The training then turned to the theme of communication. Pavlo Pushchenko, a Polaris expert, highlighted the importance of strengthening the starosta’s role in engaging citizens and addressing local issues:
“The so-called People’s Power Law more clearly defines the rights and powers of starostas when preparing and holding public hearings or general residents’ meetings. It’s important that both starostas and residents know how to use these mechanisms effectively,” said Pushchenko.
During the session, participants received instant feedback on real communication samples in a “crash test” format, helping them refine messages and better understand their audiences. The session also explored tools for engaging citizens through meetings, surveys, and bulletins.
Leadership in action: communication and leadership skills
Andrii Matsokin, Team leader of the Polaris Programme’s team on institutional capacity development of starostas, facilitated a practical workshop on strengthening leadership skills and effective interaction.
“A strong starosta is someone who can unite residents, executive authorities, deputies and managers to address local issues. They must also use their knowledge, authority and networks to attract investment and resources for development,” said Matsokin.
The participants completed team assignments, practised setting joint priorities, and learned to defend their decisions in front of the community.
Gender sensitivity in starosta work
Day two opened with a session on gender-responsive approaches. Expert Yuliia Savelieva presented core principles of gender equality in identifying the needs of different population groups. The expert believes that a strong hromada is one that hears all its members – regardless of gender, age, or social status.
Participants were introduced to tools for gender-sensitive planning of local programmes and services.
Veteran Policy at the Local Level
Special attention was given to engagement with the veteran community. Expert Kateryna Timakina spoke about the importance of respectful communication and the need to consider the specific needs of veterans in hromadas. In her view, respect for veterans and understanding their needs must become an integral part of the starosta’s role.
Participants discussed real-life scenarios and learned how to establish meaningful dialogue with veterans, support their reintegration, and involve them in the life of the hromada.
From Knowledge to Action
The final session of the training focused on planning starosta activities, preparing reports on the execution of their responsibilities, and reflecting on the knowledge gained.
The training “The Role of the Starosta in the Hromada” served not only as a platform for professional development, but also as a significant event that united local leaders around a shared goal – strengthening local self-government and improving the quality of life at the community level.
