LOCAL GOVERNANCE FOR DEMOCRACY DEVELOPMENT

This project is aimed to raise awareness of active citizens and local authorities on the importance of decentralization policy and educate them how to effectively implement it through creation of bodies of self-organization of population, show their effectiveness and efficiency in the development of local governance and the well-being of communities.

A body of self-organization of population (BSOP) – is one of the forms of participation of territorial community members: villages, settlements, cities and districts in cities in the solution of different local issues. Building, street, quarter committees, committees of micro-districts, committees of districts in cities, rural and settlement committees are the bodies of self-organization of population. These structures are recognized by experts as the most effective lever for the development of civil society in communities and for involving the local population in the decision-making process.

The Goal of the Project is development of civil society in small towns by direct inclusion of citizens in the work of local governance, for which the following measures will be implemented:

✔ Conduction of awareness-raising and educational campaigns for population of small towns on decentralization tools and legislation.
✔ Forming teams of leaders that will create efficient local bodies of self-organization of population in their communities.
✔ Drawing attention of media to the importance of development of BSOPs and their connecting role in cooperation between local authorities and community members.
✔ Creation of a methodological platform for both local authorities and communities with theoretical basis and practical examples on successful organization and work of BSOPs.

The project offers self-sustainable measures in development of local governance and decentralization in Ukraine. After attending the trainings, communities’ activists will have knowledge and practical skills in creation of bodies of self-organization of population and effective communication with local authorities, which will serve for the implementation of decentralization reform and building of democracy at a local level. Media will recognize the importance of implemented measures and their impact on the development of civil society and will share this information with the masses. Local authorities will learn on practice how to effectively delegate part of their authority, saving money, improving the quality of cooperation with citizens and the effectiveness of community development.

Moreover, a bridge of cooperation between local authorities and local communities will be built and serve as a basis for united territorial communities creation, which is required as part of the decentralization reform. Recommendations for local authorities how to do it with better efficiency will be prepared and published in the form of methodological booklet. The overall level of transparency within society will be increased and democracy at the local level will be built.

The project is implemented in a partnership with German organization "Media in Cooperation and Transition" using the German Federal Foreign Office resources.