Decentralization and civic consciousness: journalists learned to work with the topic of creating of bodies of self-organization of population in Dnipro

On November 7-8, training for media was implemented in Dnipro. Journalists from different Ukrainian regions gathered to acquire knowledge about the activities of bodies of self-organization of population (BSOPs), preparation of journalistic investigations and decision-making journalism.

Trainers:
- Oleksandr Kurbatov – editor-in-chief of journalistic investigative projects, cooperates with independent investigative projects "Slidstvo.Info" and "Our Money" produced by BIHUS.INFO. Winner of the professional journalism competitions "Professional Honour" in 2016 and 2017 for the best presentation of resonant material, winner of investigative journalists' festival "Mezhyhiria Fest 2016" for the best report.
- Yevhen Lebedev – expert of the Centre for Urban Development on working with local authorities and the creation of BSOPs.
- Luibov Lebedeva – stock market specialist, financial expert of the Centre for Urban Development.

Trainers talked to the group about the following:
- Decentralization reform. History of BSOPs. The main tasks that can be solved with the help of BSOPs. Forms of civic associations and their functions. Why do local authorities need BSOPs?
- Legislation of Ukraine in the field of BSOPs. Laws and bylaws. BSOPs creation algorithms
- Housing cooperatives and other instruments of local self-government. Legislation, creation, functioning
- Analysis of documents: protocols, regulations, financial statements
- Focus of attention: how are BSOPs used?
- Investigation: what it is and how it differs from other types of journalism
- What are the risks for investigators?
- Where to look for investigative topics? Investigation planning
- Where to look for sources of information? Methods for obtaining trustworthy information.

The training was implemented in coperation with German organization "Media in Cooperation and Transition" (MiCT) using the German Federal Foreign Office resources.