The implementation of the new legislation on service in local self-government bodies was discussed during a roundtable discussion organised by the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service and the Verkhovna Rada Committee on State Building, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning. The event was held in cooperation with the Council of Europe Programme “Strengthening Good Democratic Governance and Resilience in Ukraine”.

Members of Parliament of Ukraine, representatives of the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, central authorities, international technical assistance projects, local governments and their associations, academics, experts and other stakeholders were invited to participate.

During the meeting, a roadmap for the implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On Service in Local Self-Government Bodies” of 2 May 2023 No. 3077-IX was presented, in particular, in terms of the preparation of regulations, professional development of local self-government officials, as well as information and methodological support during implementation.

Yuliia Lykhach, Director of the High School of Public Governance, joined the discussion. “The introduction of the new legislation on service in local self-government bodies is an important step in the reform of local self-government in Ukraine. And the School is making every effort to build professional training, to help local government officials adapt to the new conditions and effectively perform their duties,” said Yuliia Lykhach. “In 2023, almost 900 local government officials upgraded their skills at the institution. The online marathon “Topical Issues of Local Self-Government Activities” became a successful educational project. Over the course of six weeks, about 600 participants had a unique opportunity to gain new knowledge and practical skills to improve the efficiency and quality of work through the implementation of effective tools of local self-government and territorial organisation of power in the context of adaptation to new political and socio-economic challenges. We use new training formats, such as trainings, case studies, game technologies, and other practices that will allow local government representatives to acquire the practical skills and competencies necessary for successful work.”

We would like to add that next year, the Highe School will launch a new educational project, the School of Headmen. It is planned to train 50 starostas from the three de-occupied regions of Ukraine – Chernihiv, Kyiv and Sumy. So far, 6 programmes have been developed that will form the basis of the training in 2024. Several train-the-trainer sessions will also be held for representatives of local government HR departments, who will be able to train their employees on the ground. Separate programmes and new educational modules for different target groups will be developed on the basis of the standard programmes, taking into account the requirements of Law No. 3077.

“In the context of the implementation of this legislation, we hope for the support of international partners with whom we cooperate in the framework of developing the capacity of local self-government bodies,” summed up the Director of the High School, “We believe that by working together, the opportunities for professionalising this category of officials will be enhanced. After all, we are focused only on victory!”