1 Cooperation of Local Authorities and Civil Society in Ukraine Mykhaylo NAKHOD, Strasbourg, June 5, 2014

 Background for cooperation of local authorities and civil society in post revolutionary Ukraine  Positive examples of cooperation  Barriers for active cooperation  Examples of joint projects and support of international donors  Recommendations and perspectives for international community on LGA and CSO cooperation development of in Ukraine Main aspects that illustrate cooperation

 Ukrainian legislation provides the right of local communities to participate in the decision-making process  Inability to implement legally defined tools of local democracy  As a result of winter protests , local activists understood that only active people can influence on the development of their communities. Expectation for more active use of participation tools  Decentralization and local government reform became one of the main topics of national agenda  Lack of real powers of regional authorities was one of the reasons of separatist protests in the East of Ukraine Background for cooperation of LGA and CS in post revolutionary Ukraine

 establishment of public councils of state and local authorities  projects contests of local governments for NGOs and municipalities  development and adoption of the regional programs of civil society development  participation CSO in local development strategies preparation  joint projects implementation  establishment and support of local governments associations  Reanimation Package of Reforms public initiative Positive examples of cooperation

 Lack of powers and resources in local governments  Fear and misunderstanding of cooperation by local authorities  Politicization of local governments, conflicts along the lines “Chairperson – Council members”  Lack of resources in civil society organizations  Low level of the culture of people’s participation in decision-making process  Underdeveloped philanthropy and fundraising abilities in local communities Barriers for active cooperation

National projects:  Community Based Approach to Local Development Project  Open City: Strengthening Citizens’ Participation in the Local Community Development Local projects:  Monitoring of Citizens’ Access to the Cities General Plans  Monitoring of Local Councils and Councilors’ Activity  Establishment and Support of Peoples’ Self-Organization Authorities  Strategic Planning and Promoting Economic Development Examples of joint projects and support of international donors

 Establishing LDA in Dnepropetrovsk by ALDA will give the opportunity to overcome to the higher level of local governments and civil society cooperation  In the context of signed EU-Ukraine Association Agreement to start more standing programs of cooperation between Ukrainian and EU member states’ local authorities and civil society organizations  Expertise assistance and resources support for decentralization and territorial reform implementation  Establishment and support of the network of NGOs (that are working on local democracy) for strengthening active cooperation and information exchange Recommendations and perspectives for international community on LGA and CSO cooperation development of in Ukraine

8 Thank you for your attention!