Strengthening Local Leadership: Training for Starostas of Polaris Partner Hromadas Held in Kyiv

Strengthening Local Leadership: Training for Starostas of Polaris Partner Hromadas Held in Kyiv

On 6–7 November, Kyiv hosted a two-day training “The Role of the Starosta in the Hromada: Tools for Strengthening Institutional Capacity” for representatives of four second-cohort Polaris partner hromadas: Rozdilna hromada (Odesa oblast), Kazanka hromada (Mykolaiv oblast), and Obukhiv and Borodianka ...
Preschool Education in the Focus of Change: An Analytical Report by the Polaris Programme and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine

Preschool Education in the Focus of Change: An Analytical Report by the Polaris Programme and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine

The report was developed by the Polaris team with the expertise of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR)
Sarny and Khotyn Hromadas – in the Focus of Educational Transformation under the Polaris Programme

Sarny and Khotyn Hromadas – in the Focus of Educational Transformation under the Polaris Programme

The end of October was an active period for the Education at the Local and Regional Levels area of the Swedish-Ukrainian Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine (Polaris) Programme. Two hromadas – Sarny (Rivne oblast) and Khotyn (Chernivtsi oblast) – became spaces for dialogue, partnership, and ...
Modern ASC – Modern Specialist: How Polaris Helps Build People-Centred Services

Modern ASC – Modern Specialist: How Polaris Helps Build People-Centred Services

From 28 to 30 October in Ivano-Frankivsk, the Swedish-Ukrainian Programme Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine (Polaris) held a training titled “Skills of a Modern ASC Specialist.”
Pedagogical Coworking – a New Format of Professional Growth for Educators from Polaris

Pedagogical Coworking – a New Format of Professional Growth for Educators from Polaris

The Education area of the Polaris Programme is introducing another innovative approach to professional collaboration among educators – pedagogical coworking. On 29–30 October, pedagogical coworkings were held in Obukhiv and Lubny – events that combined creativity, meaningful dialogue, and ...
Sida Director-General Visits Dymer: Locally-Led Recovery in Focus

Sida Director-General Visits Dymer: Locally-Led Recovery in Focus

Jakob Granit, Director-General of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), explored Dymer Hromada’s approaches to recovery and its partnership priorities within the Polaris Programme.
Vacancy: Coordinator for the Pilot Project on Municipal Enterprises

Vacancy: Coordinator for the Pilot Project on Municipal Enterprises

The role includes launching the pilot project, liaising between hromadas and national experts, and shaping and supporting delivery of the municipal enterprise support programme for 2026–2028. Applications are accepted until November 12, 2025
Polaris strengthens regional associations to advance effective multilevel governance

Polaris strengthens regional associations to advance effective multilevel governance

On 22–24 October, the Polaris Programme: Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine conducted a training “Principles and Capacities of Regional Associations in Ukraine in Building Multilevel Dialogue”
Senior Education Policy Advisor

Senior Education Policy Advisor

The Senior Education Policy Advisor will be focusing on the main long-term challenges to the education sector in Ukraine, arising from the unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine. Applications are accepted until November 10, 2025
Polaris Hands Over Five Mobile Service Vehicles to Partner Hromadas

Polaris Hands Over Five Mobile Service Vehicles to Partner Hromadas

The first five equipped vehicles were handed over to the Kherson Oblast Military Administration and the Sumy, Myrhorod, Korop, and Oleksandriia hromadas
Kherson Oblast and the Polaris Programme Strengthen Cooperation for Regional Recovery

Kherson Oblast and the Polaris Programme Strengthen Cooperation for Regional Recovery

The Memorandum of Cooperation outlines joint efforts across several key areas aimed at the recovery and sustainable development of the region.
On the Sails of Opportunities and Inspiration: The First Gymnasium Retreat in Lubny

On the Sails of Opportunities and Inspiration: The First Gymnasium Retreat in Lubny

On October 22, the First Gymnasium named after Matviy Nomyss in Lubny opened its doors for a new educational format – the first gymnasium retreat of the Polaris Program “Gymnasium Opportunities: From Practice to New Horizons,” an event that joined 70 participants.
The Power of Knowledge for Strong Hromadas: Polaris Training for Starostas in Rivne

The Power of Knowledge for Strong Hromadas: Polaris Training for Starostas in Rivne

On 21–22 October, a two-day training titled “The Role of the Starosta in the Hromada: Tools for Strengthening Institutional Capacity” took place in Rivne, organised by the Polaris Programme. The event brought together over 40 starostas from partner hromadas in Zhytomyr and Rivne oblasts.
Education Without a Desk: What You Should Know About Organising Individual Learning in Schools

Education Without a Desk: What You Should Know About Organising Individual Learning in Schools

In today’s context of constant change and new challenges for Ukrainian education, individual learning formats are becoming a key tool for ensuring continuity and quality of education for every student. Read more about individual learning, common school mistakes, and recent legislative changes in Ser ...
Educational Pathways of Development: Polaris Programme Experts Work with the Second Wave of Partner Hromadas

Educational Pathways of Development: Polaris Programme Experts Work with the Second Wave of Partner Hromadas

On 14–16 October, the team of the “Education at the Local and Regional Levels” area of the Polaris Programme continued a series of working visits to hromadas of the second wave of partnership.
Polaris Webinar: Organising Individual Forms of General Secondary Education

Polaris Webinar: Organising Individual Forms of General Secondary Education

On 16 October, the Polaris Programme held an online webinar “Specifics of Organising General Secondary Education in an Individual Format”. 
Developing Starosta Leadership: October Visits to Rivne Oblast

Developing Starosta Leadership: October Visits to Rivne Oblast

From 13 to 15 October, experts from the “Developing the Institutional Capacity of Starostas” area of Polaris Programme carried out a series of working visits to second-wave partner hromadas selected through a competitive process – Sarny, Rokytne, and Ostroh hromadas of Rivne Oblast.
Together with the Agency for Restoration, SALAR International advances multi-level support for Ukrainian hromadas

Together with the Agency for Restoration, SALAR International advances multi-level support for Ukrainian hromadas

As part of a working visit to Ukraine, Ryan Knox, Managing Director of SALAR International – the organisation implementing the Swedish–Ukrainian Programme Polaris “Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine” – met with Ivan Lukeria, Deputy Head of the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure ...
All-Ukrainian Local Governance Associations at the European Week of Regions and Cities

All-Ukrainian Local Governance Associations at the European Week of Regions and Cities

The European Week of Regions and Cities serves not only as a platform for experience exchange but also as a symbol of unity and shared values with European partners
The Starosta as a Leader of Change: A Two-Day Polaris Programme Training Held in Ivano-Frankivsk

The Starosta as a Leader of Change: A Two-Day Polaris Programme Training Held in Ivano-Frankivsk

Ivano-Frankivsk became a space of inspiration and professional growth for starostas from Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil and Chernivtsi oblasts. On 9–10 October, the training “The Role of the Starosta in the Hromada: Tools for Strengthening Institutional Capacity” was held as part of the Polaris Programme ...
The Fifth Polaris Educational Retreat: Solone Hromada as a Growth Point for the New Ukrainian Education

The Fifth Polaris Educational Retreat: Solone Hromada as a Growth Point for the New Ukrainian Education

On 8–9 October, the fifth educational retreat for 22 partner hromadas of the Swedish-Ukrainian Polaris Programme were held in the Solone Hromada, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The retreats traditionally combined immersion in real-life cases, open discussions, and creative practical sessions.
Polaris — One Year On: 117 Partner Hromadas Advancing Recovery and Development

Polaris — One Year On: 117 Partner Hromadas Advancing Recovery and Development

One year ago, the Polaris Programme Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine was launched
Scenario Planning: How Hromadas Anticipate the Challenges of Recovery

Scenario Planning: How Hromadas Anticipate the Challenges of Recovery

Polaris Programme launched a series of scenario planning workshops for its partner hromadas under the “Locally-led Recovery” area
New Polaris Partners: 15 Municipalities Awarded Grants for Swedish-Ukrainian Initiatives

New Polaris Partners: 15 Municipalities Awarded Grants for Swedish-Ukrainian Initiatives

Fifteen municipalities will receive resources for joint activities with their Swedish counterparts, with a total budget of EUR 150,000
Educational Changes on the Ground: Polaris Experts Visit Hromadas in Khmelnytskyi and Rivne Oblasts

Educational Changes on the Ground: Polaris Experts Visit Hromadas in Khmelnytskyi and Rivne Oblasts

On 29–30 September, experts of the Education area of the Polaris Programme signed Memoranda of Cooperation with the Teofipol hromada in Khmelnytskyi oblast and the Sarny hromada in Rivne oblast. These agreements opened a new stage of partnership for the development of the school network.
Ukrainian Banks and Authorities Seek Solutions for Developing Local Borrowing

Ukrainian Banks and Authorities Seek Solutions for Developing Local Borrowing

The preliminary recommendations of the Polaris Programme, discussed during the event with banks, local government associations, hromadas, and experts, will serve as a starting point for developing a Roadmap for boosting municipal investments
Polaris in Hromadas: September Visits of the Education Team Brought New Partnerships and Educational Solutions

Polaris in Hromadas: September Visits of the Education Team Brought New Partnerships and Educational Solutions

From 23 to 26 September, experts of the Polaris Programme visited Poltava, Ternopil, Lviv and Rivne oblasts to sign Memoranda of Cooperation with new partner hromadas and to launch joint work on senior secondary school reform.
Starostas at the Heart of Hromada: September visits and trainings from Polaris

Starostas at the Heart of Hromada: September visits and trainings from Polaris

In September, experts of the Polaris Programme conducted working meetings, trainings, and field visits to starosta districts across four oblasts of Ukraine, helping hromadas strengthen institutional capacity and develop effective mechanisms of local governance.
Power and equality: women's participation in politics and the future of democracy

Power and equality: women's participation in politics and the future of democracy

The event brought together around 100 leaders, policymakers, and experts from 48 countries to discuss how to strengthen feminist leadership and advance democracy in today’s world
Analytical Review: Local Budgets Under the Pressure of War – Results for the First Half of 2025

Analytical Review: Local Budgets Under the Pressure of War – Results for the First Half of 2025

The analysis of results for the first half of 2025 allows an assessment of how effectively interbudgetary equalization mechanisms are working, which sectors require the most support, and where regional asymmetries are increasing.

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