The new Law on service in the local self-government

30.04.2026

Legal Corner. April 2026

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 30.04.2026.

#legal corner

#legislation

06.05.2026

Post-construction life cycle of a water main: registration and transfer

Changes in property relations between local self-government bodies and the companies, institutions and organisations they have established raise numerous questions regarding the practical steps accounting departments should take when documenting asset movements. Hence, Svitlana Listrova, an expert with the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, provides clarification on the registration of a newly constructed water main by a local self-government body and its transfer to a municipal utility company under the right of usufruct.

#news

#legislation

23.04.2026

What is the correct procedure for writing off municipal property transferred to budgetary institutions under the right of usufruct?

Changes in property relations between local self-government bodies and the companies, institutions and organisations they have established raise numerous questions regarding the practical steps accounting departments should take when documenting asset movements, so Svitlana Listrova, an expert with the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, provides clarification on the procedure for writing off property held under the right of usufruct.

#news

#legislation

#municipal property

31.03.2026

Legal Corner. March 2026

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.03.2026.

#legal corner

#legislation

01.04.2026

Land-related matters: how municipalities can make the most of their key asset

Efficient land management is a key priority for local residents, who expect every hectare to be transformed into a tangible resource for development. Recognising the important nature of this issue, the Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in Volyn Oblast held a partnership session for local self-government bodies in Volyn Oblast, in collaboration with Volyn Regional Branch of the Centre for the State Land Cadastre.

#news

#legislation

#community dialog

28.02.2026

Legal Corner. February 2026

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 28.02.2026.

#legal corner

#legislation

02.03.2026

The Commercial Code repealed: how municipalities are preparing for the change

The Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in Chernivtsi Oblast hosted a meeting of the heads of local municipalities to discuss key legislative changes that would determine the functioning of local self-government bodies in 2026. Among the issues on the agenda was the repeal of the Commercial Code of Ukraine and the transition period for its implementation.

#news

#legislation

20.02.2026

Updated internal regulations for the local self-government: practical guidelines for implementation at the local level

Developing new internal regulations for local self-government bodies is an important step in implementing the Law of Ukraine “On Service in Bodies of Local Self-Government” No. 3077-ІХ.

#news

#legislation

19.02.2026

Practical considerations for implementing usufruct of municipal property: how municipalities have been applying the new rules

The transition to using usufruct as a derivative property right for the use of municipal property by the municipality’s institutions, enterprises and facilities is gradually shifting from a norm to practice. At the U-LEAD informational session, municipalities delved into the specifics of administrative decisions rather than definitions: what to do with property that has already been transferred, whether exceptions are possible, and how to avoid mistakes during the transition period.

#news

#legislation

31.01.2026

Legal Corner. January 2026

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.01.2026.

#legal corner

#legislation

31.12.2025

Legal Corner. December 2025

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.12.2025.

#legal corner

#legislation

06.01.2026

Labour disputes in local self-government bodies: causes, case law and practical considerations for municipalities

Labour disputes in local self-government bodies are a sensitive issue for municipalities, given that staffing decisions without proper justification may have legal and financial consequences for local budgets. This issue was discussed at the infosession held by U-LEAD with Europe, which brought together HR specialists, lawyers and municipal officials from different oblasts of Ukraine.

#news

#legislation

#working issues

30.11.2025

Legal Corner. November 2025

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 30.11.2025.

#legal corner

#legislation

04.12.2025

Usufruct: how municipalities are preparing for a new legal mechanism for managing municipal property

Usufruct will be a key tool for transferring property to local self-government bodies, municipal institutions, municipal non-profit enterprises and other legal entities founded by the municipality. The new mechanism is better regulated and sets out clear requirements for transfer, control and reporting procedures. The experience of the municipalities of Liubar and Trostianets shows how municipalities are dealing with these changes.

#news

#legislation

31.10.2025

Legal Corner. October 2025

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.10.2025.

#legal corner

#legislation

30.09.2025

Legal Corner. September 2025

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 30.09.2025.

#legal corner

#legislation

31.08.2025

Legal Corner. August 2025

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.08.2025.

#legal corner

#legislation

04.09.2025

Screening bidders for anti-competitive practices: application of Clause 47 of the Aspects

In this article, we would like to highlight a situation that is becoming increasingly common in open bidding: a bidder who is “blacklisted” by the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine is allowed to participate in the bidding process.

#news

#legislation

04.09.2025

“Transparent Construction”: documents to be prepared and made public by procuring entities

Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Public Procurement”, known as “Transparent Construction”, came into force in October 2024. They are aimed at transparency and efficiency in the use of budget funds and mandate procuring entities to disclose contracts and prices for material resources in machine-readable format.

#news

#legislation

26.08.2025

Are public hearings different from public discussions?

In this article, we will examine the differences between these tools and the situations in which they should be used.

#news

#community dialog

#legislation

11.08.2025

Expert examination of the design and estimate documentation (DED) and its subsequent approval

How to properly organize the examination and approval of design and cost estimate documentation, which legal regulations govern this process, what common mistakes are most frequently identified by regulatory authorities, and how to avoid them to ensure legality, quality, and a timely start of construction work - -read more in the article.

#new

#legislation

31.07.2025

Legal Corner. July 2025

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.07.2025.

#legal corner

#legislation

29.07.2025

New rules for land under water objects: who owns the ponds and what municipalities need to know

New legislation came into effect in Ukraine in November 2024. From that date on, all land plots under water objects of national importance are state-owned. It means that local self-government bodies or executive authorities are not required to adopt additional decisions thereon.

#news

#legislation

17.07.2025

Technical supervision in construction: ensuring quality and avoiding common mistakes

U-LEAD experts continue to offer guidance on public procurement to municipalities.

#news

#legislation

17.07.2025

How to avoid non-compliance in capital construction contracts: advice for municipalities

U-LEAD experts continue to offer guidance on public procurement to municipalities.

#news

#legislation

#procurement

30.06.2025

Legal Corner. June 2025

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 30.06.2025.

#legal corner

#legislation

02.07.2025

Regulatory policy in wartime: practical advice for the municipalities of Kharkiv Oblast

Municipal employees of Kharkiv Oblast joined an informational session on regulatory activities of local self-government under the martial law. The event was hosted by the team of the Regional Office of U-LEAD in Kharkiv Oblast in partnership with Eastern Interregional Sector of State Regulatory Service of Ukraine.

#news

#legislation

19.06.2025

Complete and simplified procedure: regulatory acts of local self-government bodies under the martial law

More than 70 municipal officials in Kirovohrad Oblast learned when to apply the fast-track procedure at the infosession "Regulatory Activities of Local Self-Government and their Implementation under the Martial Law."

#advice

#news

10.06.2025

U-LEAD’s recently released Concept Paper is a strategic tool for aligning Ukraine’s regional development policy with the EU accession focus

The recently released U-LEAD Concept Paper offers guidelines for Ukraine towards better regional policy alignment with the EU requirements.

#news

#legislation

31.05.2025

Legal Corner. May 2025

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.05.2025.

#legal corner

#legislation

30.04.2025

Legal Corner. April 2025

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 30.04.2025.

#legal corner

#legislation

31.03.2025

Legal Corner. March 2025

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.03.2025.

#legal corner

#legislation

28.02.2025

Legal Corner. February 2025

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 28.02.2025.

#legal corner

#legislation

24.02.2025

Updates to the public participation legislation and their impact on local self-government

The new law strengthens democracy at the local level, expanding the formats of public participation and enshrining the binding nature of municipality charters and the accountability of local authorities. Local self-government bodies must already bring their decision-making in line with the changes. Learn more about this at our info sessions, Wednesdays with U-LEAD!

#analytics

#legislation

04.02.2025

Legal Corner. January 2025

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.01.2025.

#legal corner

#legislation

01.01.2025

Legal Corner. December 2024

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.12.2024.

#legislation

#legal corner

27.01.2025

U-LEAD invites you to participate in the training program «Steps for Specialists. Service in local self-government bodies»

Do you want to improve your professional skills in the field of personnel work? Do you want to know about new approaches to human resources management in local governments? Learn how to work with HR documents in accordance with modern standards and gain valuable experience in interacting with colleagues and experts in this field?

#lsg

#announcements

17.01.2025

Efficient internal controls and audit at the local level: international practices

Let's learn from the examples of our Western partners! Internal control and audit at the local level are the basis of efficient public finance management. The experience of EU countries demonstrates the importance of transparency, avoiding conflicts of interest, and flexible approaches to organizing control, adapted to the needs of local authorities.

#analytics

#advice

07.01.2025

Erasmus+ for Ukraine-2025: step-by-step beginner’s guide

The end of the year and the beginning of a new one marks the start of a season of grant and project opportunities. During an info session for municipal officials, at the invitation of U-LEAD, Kateryna Zhdanova, Project Manager of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine, spoke about one of the largest European programmes, Erasmus+, its priorities, features, how to sign up and practical cases of its participants.

#Erasmus+

#grant

#advice

27.12.2024

Legislative changes: Municipal utility companies can now receive humanitarian aid

Utility companies and critical infrastructure operators have recently been empowered to be beneficiaries of humanitarian aid due to updates in the legislation. These changes should ensure the uninterrupted provision of utility services and expedite the restoration of critical infrastructure.

#advice

#legislation

#international support

17.12.2024

Keep the after-school activities and see success: Velyka Bahachka Fosters Active Public Participation

Rather than expense, after-school education is an investment in human capital. After all, people are the key driving force of municipal development, and all infrastructure projects and municipal services are viewed through the lens of the human dimension. This is the perspective with which the municipality of Velyka Bahachka, Poltava Oblast, approaches after-school education.

#education

#advice

12.12.2024

5 tips for Development and approval of the Charter of Municipality

Liudmyla Hurba, Head of the Working Group on Public Participation — Coordinator of the Support Programme “Development of the Charter of Municipality”, Adviser on Decentralisation and Local Self-Government at the Regional Office of U-LEAD in the Vinnytsia Oblast, prepared some clarifications and advice on the approval of the Charter of Municipality.

#advice

#legal issues

11.12.2024

Synergistic approach: How is veteran support set up in the municipality of Kalush?

How does the mechanism for supporting war veterans and their families work at the municipality level? What are the success cases? What challenges does local self-government face? All this was discussed using the Kalush municipality as an example at a dialogue meeting with the heads of municipalities in the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast that was hosted by U-LEAD.

#support for veterans

#advice

30.11.2024

Legal Corner. November 2024

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 30.11.2024.

#legal corner

#legislation

04.12.2024

Cooperation between local self-government bodies and NGOs in the Chernihiv Oblast has gained ground

The so-called Digital Shield, a hybrid power plant on the roof and bomb shelters in schools, cultural projects only a few examples of the initiatives implemented by local self-government bodies and NGOs in municipalities. Participants of the event at the Regional Office of U-LEAD in the Chernihiv Oblast shared how to learn to work with donors and attract money for development.

#lsg

#intermunicipal cooperation

#news

03.12.2024

Influence of the martial law on the local budgets in Khmelnytskyi Oblast

Counsellor in the issues of municipal finance and administration of U-LEAD Regional office in Khmelnytskyi Oblast Nataliia Liubchenko analysed the income and expenditure parts of the local budgets in January – September 2022, 2023 and 2024.

#finances

#advice

#war

02.12.2024

Municipal business environment assessment: you can only manage what you measure

Just as business success can be measured by profitability ratios, the constructive nature of the business environment in a municipality can be assessed according to certain criteria. This means that its development can be managed to benefit local residents. Together with experts from U-LEAD with Europe, municipalities learned how local self-government bodies can conduct the assessment independently and how to choose tools for business environment development.

#business

#training programmes

#lsg

#advice

29.11.2024

Partner event: strengthening education in the Volyn Oblast

The Regional Office of U-LEAD in the Volyn Oblast, jointly with the local Department of the State Education Quality Service, hosted an info session for the region’s municipal officials. The event aimed to discuss pressing matters related to ensuring the quality of educational services, as well as to explore the communication between founders and educational institutions when assessing their performance.

#education

#lsg

#advice

20.11.2024

Soft skills development: completing of the programme and two techniques for our readers

The training programme “Steps for Specialists. Soft skills development” for the local self-government officials aimed at mastering the skills of effective functioning and psychological balance, has come to an end.

#lsg

#steps for specialists

#training programmes

#advice

19.11.2024

Municipalities of Kirovohrad Oblast need to develop and implement development strategies

Availability of a development strategy opens up new opportunities for municipalities. This was discussed during an information session for the municipalities of Kirovohrad Oblast.

#development strategy

#lsg

#advice

19.11.2024

The future of the municipality is in the hands of a young generation: The Youth Council has been established

The Malolyubashanska municipality of Rivne Oblast has made an important step towards active involvement of young people in the life of the municipality by establishing a Youth Council. This became possible with the support of the U-LEAD Programme, which provided several months of theoretical and practical training for municipality representatives and young people themselves.

#youth councils

#news

#lsg

14.11.2024

Humanitarian Hubs of the Kherson Oblast: the need for new approaches

In times of war, humanitarian hubs become lifelines for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and those affected by hostilities. A recent visit by municipal officials of the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson Oblasts to the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast was an important step toward finding new approaches to organising such humanitarian hubs.

#war

#lsg

#study visit

#intermunicipal cooperation

#internally displaced persons

13.11.2024

How can the employer dismiss an employee?

Earlier, the U-LEAD with Europe Programme held an event for municipal officials on the legal aspects of the employer dismissing employees under martial law. The event brought together representatives of local self-government bodies to explain the legal framework and procedures for dismissal in detail.

#legislation

#lsg

#advice

08.11.2024

The Shpola municipality supports and fosters its volunteer environment

In the municipality of Shpola, Cherkasy Oblast, hundreds of people have joined the volunteer movement to help IDPs and locals who took up arms to defend their country.

#volunteering

#lsg

#war

06.11.2024

Groundbreaking law on “transparent construction”: What should be made public and how to do so?

Following the amendments to the law on public procurement, in addition to the changes in the documentary forms, there is now also a requirement for the publication of estimates, as well as the format of this information and clear publication deadlines. At the info session “Transparent Construction: Legislative Updates”, U-LEAD experts explained what to make public after a public procurement in construction and the procedure to do so.

#legislation

#advice

06.11.2024

Project activities in the Ternopil Oblast: first steps and achievements

The team of the Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in the Ternopil U-LEAD organised a dialogue event for municipal leaders of the region to explore tools for attracting additional resources.

#project management

#finances

#lsg

01.11.2024

Where do the municipalities of the Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson Oblasts create humanitarian hubs?

Municipal officials of the Donetsk, Kherson, and Luhansk Oblasts visited the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, where they learned about the activities of humanitarian hubs for residents relocated from their oblasts. The visit was supported by U-LEAD with Europe.

#war

#study visit

#lsg

24.10.2024

What affects the land rent?

Oleksandr Prydatko, expert in the management of land and other natural resources at the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, explained how to adjust the amount of the rent under a land lease agreement and account for the factor of the regulatory monetary value of a land plot.

#municipal property

#legislation

#advice

#lsg

23.10.2024

International assistance empowers municipalities of Dnipro Oblast

Progress in implementing international technical assistance (ITA) projects has become a major topic of discussion among the heads of municipalities of Dnipro Oblast. Initiated by the U-LEAD with Europe Regional Office, the meeting provided a valuable platform for sharing experiences and defining an action plan for attracting and efficiently implementing this assistance in municipalities.

#war

#international support

#lsg

22.10.2024

Publication of local council meeting video records: Tips for local government bodies

The U-LEAD experts explained to officials the algorithm of actions with restricted information during the publication of video recordings of plenary sessions of councils and meetings of permanent commissions under martial law, as well as the new requirements of the law on ensuring the transparency of local self-government and on the restrictions on access to public information provided by law.

#war

#lsg

#advice

#legislation

18.10.2024

"Entering professional activity": assistance to beginners of the LSG

The training program, designed to help new specialists of local self-government bodies effectively enter the profession, has successfully come to an end.

#steps for specialists

#training programmes

#lsg

17.10.2024

Digital competence: What is it and why is it so important?

During the U-LEAD event, representatives of municipalities discussed the digital competence of local self-government bodies and considered its key aspects: benefits of e-document management and recommendations for safe work in the digital environment.

#lsg

#safety

#advice

#digitalization

16.10.2024

Do local government bodies know what young people in their community want?

Why it is important to “hear” the youth? How to make youth stay in the community? What cooperation formats are effective? Look for the answers in the article by Liudmyla Hurba, decentralisation and local self-government adviser of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme Office in Vinnytsia oblast.

#youth

#lsg

#advice

15.10.2024

Local budgets 2025: features, priorities, prospects

The main insights into budget planning for municipalities for 2025: changes in the horizontal equalisation of local budgets, the return of medium-term budget planning and the reverse subsidy, as well as new types of interbudgetary transfers.

#local budgets

#finances

#advice

#legislation

30.09.2024

Legal Corner. September 2024

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 30.09.2024.

#legal corner

#legislation

11.10.2024

From online courses to real projects: internships open up new opportunities

In September, six project managers from different parts of Ukraine took U-LEAD internships in the municipalities of Zakarpattia Oblast. They studied the experience of local self-government bodies in the implementation of their current projects and learned about pitfalls and first steps, as well as how to apply theory to solve practical problems.

#steps for specialists

#project management

#lsg

10.10.2024

Developing urban planning documentation in the municipality: an algorithm

At the event, U-LEAD presented a step-by-step procedure for developing urban planning documentation in compliance with the laws. Experts explained the importance of urban planning documents for the rational use of territories, infrastructure development, protection of the municipality’s interests and attracting investment.

#planning

#advice

#lsg

08.10.2024

Stress management and psychological recovery are must-have skills for female municipal leaders

U-LEAD launched a pilot project to support female leadership. The first participants in the training sessions, workshops and consultations with psychologists included the heads of municipalities and employees of local self-government from the Chernihiv and Sumy Oblasts.

#war

#lsg

#health care

07.10.2024

Volunteer management as a solution for the pressing needs of the municipality

U-LEAD experts continue to help municipalities develop effective mechanisms of interaction and cooperation between local self-government and volunteers. This time, municipal officials learned about the basics of volunteering and volunteer management.

#volunteering

#lsg

#advice

04.10.2024

Learn to manage natural resources!

The course from U-LEAD will reveal to the participants the concept of sustainable development, the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to resource management, and will help to acquire land use planning skills. In particular, participants learn about water, forest, land and other resources.

#announcements

#training programmes

#lsg

26.09.2024

How can municipalities prepare housing and utilities infrastructure for the autumn-winter season?

Preparing the housing and utilities infrastructure for the autumn-winter season of 2024–2025 is an essential task. Due to significant damage to the energy infrastructure, this winter may be even more difficult than previous ones. To support municipalities, U-LEAD has implemented a series of activities to ensure that the sector is well-prepared for the cold season.

#war

#energy security

#advice

#utilities

20.09.2024

How to reflect humanitarian aid in financial reporting?

U-LEAD experts Iryna Drozd and Tetiana Larikova explain what humanitarian aid is and what laws regulate its use.

#legislation

#advice

#finances

#volunteering

12.09.2024

The Regional office of the Kherson region does not stop supporting relocated municipalities

U-LEAD with Europe Programme remains a reliable partner for the municipalities of the Kherson oblast even in relocation and martial law conditions. Despite all the challenges, the experts of the Regional Office continue to provide consulting and practical support to the municipalities, helping them adapt to new realities.

#war

#lsg

31.08.2024

Legal Corner. August 2024

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.08.2024.

#legal corner

#legislation

10.09.2024

The final event of the course "Establishment of youth councils in territorial municipalities" took place

Representatives of local self-government and municipality youth studied for 4 months how to create a youth council and develop a youth movement in the municipality. The training program ended with a youth camp.

#training programmes

#youth councils

#lsg

#news

06.09.2024

NAPC is launching the Marathon on Corruption Risk Management

During this event, corruption prevention and detection officials will be able to hone their corruption risk management skills in practice. The organizers promise: a minimum of lectures, a lot of practice and a unique experience await the participants.

#announcements

#anti-corruption

#lsg

05.09.2024

How to register ownerless property?

U-LEAD experts Iryna Drozd and Tetiana Larikova explain what unclaimed property is and what local self-government bodies should do when they discover and identify unclaimed property.

#legislation

#advice

04.09.2024

Local budgets during a full-scale war: a discussion in the Rivne region

Berezniv municipality became a meeting place for village and city municipalities of the Rivne oblast, where LSGs exchanged experience in effective filling and rational use of the local budget in martial law conditions.

#war

#local budgets

#lsg

03.09.2024

Allocation of costs to general production and administrative

How to allocate costs for the enterprise? Experts of the "U-LEAD with Europe" program, Iryna Drozd and Tetyana Larikova, answer this question in detail.

#advice

#legislation

#finances

02.09.2024

The development of rural areas is a priority in strategic planning

How can priorities of rural development according to EU standards be integrated into local strategic documents? What will it bring to a particular municipality? What perspectives does cooperation open during strategic planning? U-LEAD experts told about this in the framework of the seminar dedicated to the integration of the authorized representative of local government to support the rural development of municipalities in the mechanism of strategic planning at the municipality level.

#development strategy

#lsg

30.08.2024

Municipalities of the Cherkasy Oblast developed 50 ideas for potential agreements on inter-municipal cooperation

Inter-municipal cooperation is an important tool for municipal development, enabling effective use of resources, as it opens up opportunities for municipalities to join forces to implement collaborative initiatives.

#intermunicipal cooperation

#news

#lsg

30.08.2024

Citizen Support Centres were a focus of the discussion in the Donetsk Oblast

Their creation and activities were discussed in detail at the meeting organised by U-LEAD.

#lsg

#internally displaced persons

#news

30.08.2024

Monitoring and evaluation of development strategies: U-LEAD introduced a support programme

The main focus of the programme is on the increased capacity of local self-government officials to monitor and evaluate the progress of the Municipal Development Strategy and the Action Plan for its implementation.

#development strategy

#lsg

#training programmes

29.08.2024

Municipalities are working on the strategic environmental assessment for policy documents

Strategic environmental assessment of documents is a tool for implementing environmental policies. The municipalities, together with U-LEAD experts, explored the relevant legal framework and considered the issues that arise during the SEA procedure.

#legislation

#advice

#environment

29.08.2024

Opportunities opened for municipalities by Erasmus+

U-LEAD continues to introduce local self-government to capacity-building opportunities. This time, more than 50 participants of the event learned about the activities of the EU Erasmus+ programme and discussed how the implementation of European practices contributed to the development of municipalities.

#training programmes

#youth

#lsg

29.08.2024

U-LEAD completes “Steps for Specialists. Remuneration of Local Self-Government Employees”

The war and martial law have had a significant impact on human resources, as the large-scale displacement created an acute shortage of professionals, especially in rural municipalities. That is why the U-LEAD Program offers training programmes to support and train municipal officials on various issues.

#training programmes

#steps for specialists

#lsg

#finances

#working issues

22.08.2024

Cash assistance to employees of local self-government

Leave and summer holidays are usually associated with the payment of cash assistance. Experts of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, Iryna Drozd and Tetiana Larikova, answer the question of how to tax these payments.

#advice

#legislation

#lsg

#finances

22.08.2024

Looking out for the best interest of the child is the task of local self-government bodies

The experts of U-LEAD with Europe held an info session “Development of Alternative Formats of Family Upbringing in Municipalities” to present the powers of local self-government bodies in reforming the system of institutional care for children as well as other issues.

#lsg

#children

#legislation

#advice

21.08.2024

Amendments to the Law “On Local Self-Government in Ukraine” entered into force

The use of the state language at plenary sessions of councils and meetings of deputy commissions, their video recording, storage and publication of the videos, as well as regular updates of open data regarding municipal property rights. To clarify key provisions of the Law, U-LEAD held a series of open information events.

#legislation

#advice

#news

16.08.2024

We invite you to "Steps for specialists. Formation and approval of the local budget 2025"!

This training program will prepare you to form a budget in conditions of uncertainty and urgent changes, as well as for a turbulent budget process.

#training programmes

#steps for specialists

#local budgets

#lsg

15.08.2024

Best practices of humanitarian and social sphere development shared in Ternopil Oblast

The U-LEAD with Europe Programme organised a study visit to the Ternopil Oblast for representatives of municipalities from the Zakarpattia and Prykarpattia Oblasts.

#study visit

#international cooperation

#lsg

14.08.2024

LIFE 2021–2027 Program: grants from the European Commission for Ukraine

The U-LEAD Program continues to assist Ukrainian municipalities in finding additional resources and opportunities for development. During the information session “Opportunities from the European Commission for Ukraine: LIFE 2021–2027 Program”, one more grant program was presented — the features of its work, priorities, funding, types of grants and search for partners.

#grant

#international support

#lsg

13.08.2024

NACP invites you to the Forum of Integrity in Municipalities on August 16

We invite listeners and the media to the Forum, a unique platform created by the NACP to coordinate actions to build integrity in municipalities. Representatives of authorities, international organizations, and local self-government bodies will share their experiences and achievements at the event.

#announcements

#news

#lsg

09.08.2024

Arranging the input and output of material assets during the leave of the financially liable person

It’s vacation time, and U-LEAD experts Iryna Drozd and Tetiana Larikova advise on formalising liability for the institution’s material assets if the financially liable person is on leave.

#legislation

#advice

#lsg

31.07.2024

Legal Corner. July 2024

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.07.2024.

#legal corner

#legislation

02.08.2024

Accounting of green plantings after initial recognition in budget institutions

Experts of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, Iryna Drozd and Tetiana Larikova, continue to provide answers to urgent questions of employees of the accounting services of municipal budget institutions, including regarding the further accounting of green plantings after their initial recognition.

#legislation

#advice

#lsg

29.07.2024

U-LEAD invites you to participate in the unique training program "Steps for Specialists. Onboarding into Municipal Service"

This unique onboarding program will teach about the legal basis of local self-government and everything necessary to comfortably enter the professional activity and carry it out effectively.

#announcements

#steps for specialists

#training programmes

#lsg

26.07.2024

Project activities of educators: opportunities, challenges and success stories

The participants of the U-LEAD info session learned how project activities affect the life of the school and the municipality. At the event, educators received guidance from project management experts, were motivated by the experience of their colleagues and learned about current grant competitions.

#education

#project management

#advice

26.07.2024

The Rivne Oblast explored administrative service models

The Regional Office of U-LEAD in the Rivne Oblast, together with the Rivne Regional State Administration, held a dialogue event for the officials of village and settlement councils in order to improve the provision of administrative services in local municipalities to the greatest extent possible in the future.

#Administrative Service Center

#study visit

#advice

26.07.2024

Municipality of Koniatyn: when projects become a resource for development

The project approach is not a genie. If implemented systemically, however, it can do wonders. This is proven by the experience of the municipality in the Bukovyna region, where each local self-government official is also partly a project manager. They shared their success cases with their colleagues at the experience exchange event.

#project management

#study visit

#advice

22.07.2024

Return of medium-term budget planning: municipalities’ financial managers received support from U-LEAD experts

More than 660 municipal officials learned about preparation for medium-term planning of local budgets for 2025–2027 and received guidance and advice from experts. They talked about the formation of the local budget forecasts and how to organise this process using the LOGICA Information and Analytical System.

#finances

#advice

#local budgets

12.07.2024

30 municipalities are being trained as part of the “Steps for Specialists. Remuneration of Local Self-Government Employees”

These Steps are an intensive online training course for officials in charge of accounting and HR in local self-government.

#steps for specialists

#training programmes

#lsg

#finances

#working issues

11.07.2024

How do municipalities develop “political will” to combat corruption? Study conclusions

U-LEAD’s external expert has analysed how local authorities manage to initiate and maintain meaningful anti-corruption efforts. This article examines the processes in six regions of Ukraine that showcase sustainable reform efforts between 2014 and 2021, as well as offers three recommendations for international and local political actors seeking to support reforms.

#research

#anti-corruption

#advice

#lsg

09.07.2024

U-LEAD’s new support programme: supporting rural development according to EU standards

The first seminar discussed the models of supporting rural development in EU countries and changing approaches to the development of rural areas in Ukraine aimed at harmonising them with the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU.

#training programmes

#development strategy

#lsg

09.07.2024

Grant opportunities in culture, energy and healthcare

The U-LEAD with Europe Programme is committed to its efforts to provide expert support to municipalities regarding project activities and assistance in attracting international funds for recovery and development.

#grant

#announcement

#lsg

30.06.2024

Legal Corner. June 2024

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 30.06.2024.

#legal corner

#legislation

05.07.2024

How to prevent conflict of interest in municipalities?

Employees of local self-government bodies exercising their powers may give rise to a conflict of interest. This most often occurs due to a lack of knowledge of the integrity policy legislation. U-LEAD organised an event to clarify the legal framework and its practical application.

#legislation

#lsg

#anti-corruption

#advice

04.07.2024

Reasons why joint utility companies do not work out

The U-LEAD adviser explained to municipalities the advantages of creating a joint municipal company (JMC), as well as the reasons why this journey has become long and fraught with difficulties for a significant number of municipalities.

#utilities

#intermunicipal cooperation

#advice

04.07.2024

How can local self-government ensure the sustainability of the municipality?

U-LEAD experts train local self-government officials in an integrated approach, harmonising various structures and action plans, risk calculation and other indicators of the resilience of critical infrastructure.

#energy security

#lsg

#advice

03.07.2024

Heads of municipalities and officials of the Rivne Oblast discussed land relations and environmental protection

The team of the Regional Office of U-LEAD organised a meeting together with the Main Directorate of the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre (State GeoCadastre) in the Rivne Oblast and the Department of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of the Rivne Regional State Administration.

#environment

#news

#lsg

03.07.2024

A municipality in the Zhytomyr Oblast creates a volunteer fire brigade

The volunteer civil defence movement is gaining traction in the Kurne municipality. They set up a public organisation, had their volunteers trained in Poland and have been waiting for the vehicle. The story began with a study visit to the municipalities of the Rivne Oblast, which was organised by U-LEAD with Europe last year.

#volunteer fire brigades

#news

#advice

01.07.2024

U-LEAD and the Department of Inspection in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast talked about occupational health and safety

Municipal officials learned about the main aspects of the implementation of national employment policy under martial law: employment laws, occupational health and psychosocial assistance at the workplace.

#working issues

#legislation

#advice

#healthcare

01.07.2024

Barrier-free environment in municipalities: from communication to universal design of spaces and services

The U-LEARN platform launched the support programme “Creating an Institution for Barrier-Free Access in Municipalities”. At the first seminar, U-LEAD experts talked about the basic principles and legal framework for creating a barrier-free environment in Ukraine.

#training programmes

#advice

#legislation

27.06.2024

Challenges faced by de-occupied municipalities and their pressing needs: a meeting with the heads of the military administrations of the Kherson Oblast

The Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in the Mykolaiv Oblast hosted a meeting for the heads of military administrations of the Kherson Oblast and the U-LEAD team. The event focused on the challenges and needs of the de-occupied municipalities of the Kherson Oblast.

#war

#lsg

#reconstruction

27.06.2024

Initial accounting of green plantings in budget institutions

Experts of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, Iryna Drozd and Tetiana Larikova, continue to offer their advice. This time, they gave a number of recommendations to budget institutions regarding the initial accounting of green plantings.

#legislation

#advice

#lsg

26.06.2024

The Donetsk Oblast figures out how to keep military records

U-LEAD experts continue to clarify the powers of local self-government bodies under martial law. Together with the municipalities of the Donetsk Oblast, they analysed the specifics of the implementation of the military record-keeping system, the deadlines for entering employees into the lists and the persons responsible.

#war

#lsg

#advice

#legislation

26.06.2024

Who is responsible for supporting veterans and their families in the municipality?

In response to the request of local self-government bodies, U-LEAD experts have developed a series of info sessions to help municipalities organise proper work with veterans and support their families.

#war

#lsg

#advice

25.06.2024

Specifics of inventory accounting and valuation

U-LEAD experts Iryna Drozd and Tetiana Larikova continue to provide advisory support. This time they responded to a number of questions on inventory accounting and valuation in budgetary institutions.

#advice

#legislation

#finances

21.06.2024

Municipalities of the Vinnytsia Oblast presented best financial management practices of educational institutions

Municipalities of Murafa, Lypovets and Nemyriv exchanged their experiences regarding the introduction of financial autonomy of educational institutions, discussed financial management models and shared the advantages and challenges of both accounting formats.

#accounting

#lsg

#study visit

#finances

#education

19.06.2024

The Kushuhum municipality set up a volunteer fire brigade in 23 hours

Organising local fire and rescue units is a task of local self-government. U-LEAD introduced local self-government officials to the theory and practice of establishing a local fire department.

#volunteer fire brigades

#legislation

#advice

19.06.2024

Draft and military records: U-LEAD experts explained the powers and responsibilities of the local self-government officials to them

Defence and daft efforts, as well as keeping military records of citizens, fall under the scope of competence of state and local self-government bodies. Given the changes to the legislation and the extension of martial law in Ukraine, the role of local self-government in these processes is becoming increasingly important.

#war

#legislation

#lsg

#advice

18.06.2024

Educators from the Khmelnytskyi Oblast shared their experiences of optimising schools and creating lyceums

The participants of the study visit observed the best practices of forming a network of lyceums in municipalities of various types and capabilities.

#study visit

#education

#advice

#lsg

18.06.2024

U-LEAD experts presented IPARD-III support directions to the local self-government official

This programme enables candidate countries for EU membership to prepare for the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy. The support covers the development of rural areas and the sustainable agricultural sector.

#development strategy

#legislation

#lsg

#advice

17.06.2024

The Petrove municipality has changed its approach to working with abandoned property

Its experts who joined U-LEAD’s Support Programme have developed packages of documents and step-by-step procedures for identifying, accounting of abandoned property and bringing it under municipal property.

#accomodation

#lsg

#training programmes

#legislation

14.06.2024

The Volyn Oblast learned how to provide quality education

Together with the Office of the State Service of Education Quality in the Volyn Oblast, the Regional Office of U-LEAD held an info session for the local municipalities.

#lsg

#education

#news

12.06.2024

The Zhytomyr Oblast shared the experience of organising social services

The participants of the educational visit saw different approaches to the social and educational sectors in municipalities, learned how to engage volunteers in social projects and how to meet the social, healthcare, cultural and educational needs of each resident.

#social services

#lsg

#study visit

12.06.2024

Village club 2.0 or creative space: establishing a cultural services centre in a municipality

The reform of the cultural sector is among the least visible in wartime. Its key stage is currently underway, reforming the basic network of cultural institutions at the municipal level and forming cultural service centres. U-LEAD experts and representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy explain what difficulties municipalities face and how to overcome them.

#lsg

#legislation

#advice

#culture

10.06.2024

U-LEAD with Europe launches an online course "Spatial planning in a territorial community"

The online course is tailored for a diverse audience, including representatives of local self-government bodies such as city councils and mayors' offices, experts who assist communities with spatial planning, and community members interested in local planning processes.

#lsg

#training programmes

#announcements

10.06.2024

Simple digital security rules for local self-government bodies

If you use a smartphone or computer, you open yourself up to digital dangers. U-LEAD experts explain how to protect personal data, avoid falling victim to cyber fraud and why anything free on the Internet is a potential threat.

#lsg

#advice

#safety

10.06.2024

U-LEAD invites you to participate in the training program "Steps for Specialists. Remuneration of Labor in LSG"

Would you like the specifics of calculating and paying salaries, as well as other incentive and compensation payments to be simple, clear and logical for you? Do you want to create the decent conditions for remuneration? Is your goal to make effective decisions on the usage of budget funds? Then join the new training program!

#training programmes

#steps for specialists

#lsg

#finances

#announcements

07.06.2024

Municipalities can create institutions to provide primary legal aid for free

Local self-government bodies provide their residents with a wide range of administrative, social and other services. Free primary legal aid is also part of their mandate.

#legislation

#advice

#lsg

07.06.2024

Recommendations to municipal institutions: accounting of fixed assets

U-LEAD experts Iryna Drozd and Tetiana Larikova continue to provide consulting support. This time, they discussed the net book value of fixed assets, periods of useful life and accounting of land plots.

#advice

#legislation

#finances

07.06.2024

Municipalities participating in the “Creating a Project Office in the Municipality” programme will get additional opportunities

The support programme “Creating a Project Office in the Municipality”, which ended in May, will have a practical follow-up. Even though the scheduled activities on the U-LEARN educational platform have been completed, its participants will get further support and additional opportunities for development.

#training programmes

#lsg

#news

06.06.2024

How to organise accounting in municipal budgetary?

U-LEAD experts clarify cases that require the creation of a centralised accounting service and how it should be better organised, as well as explain the duties of administrators of budget funds.

#advice

#legislation

#finances

31.05.2024

Legal Corner. May 2024

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.05.2024.

#legal corner

#legislation

06.06.2024

New social services as a response to today’s challenges: experience of the Brovary municipality

A comprehensive approach, personalised assistance and integration of vulnerable groups of people into society are prerequisites to problem-solving. These are a must for the Brovary City Council. Municipal officials explained how it works at the experience exchange event organised by the local Regional Office of U-LEAD.

#lsg

#war

#healthcare

05.06.2024

The Dnipropetrovsk Oblast is selecting municipalities to join the project on the creation of micro- and smallholders

The Dnipropetrovsk Oblast is launching a project that will affect the development of the rural population and territories. Only 15 municipalities will be selected to participate in the IPRSA pilot project.

#announcement

#lsg

#training programmes

05.06.2024

U-LEAD invites to participate in a new comprehensive support programme ”Development of a network of authorised representatives of local self-government bodies to support rural development of municipalities”

Find out how municipalities can organise the activities of local self-government bodies and increase their level of knowledge to support the rural development of communities.

#training programmes

#announcement

#lsg

05.06.2024

Taxing hospitality: who, where and how should control the tourist tax

According to municipal officials, the tourist tax is yet to become a development tax. U-LEAD experts held discussions to work out under what conditions the tourism industry would generate income and municipalities would reach their full potential.

#tourism

#legislation

#advice

04.06.2024

Municipalities of the Luhansk Oblast are still working for their residents even in relocation

Humanitarian HUBs, information points, Administrative Services Centres (ASC) and shelters for persons internally displaced from the occupied municipalities of the Luhansk Oblast — these are all initiated and supported by the relocated local self-government bodies.

#war

#lsg

03.06.2024

The training programme for local self-government bodies “Project Cycle Management” was launched for the fourth time

Participating municipalities of the fourth wave of U-LEAD’s “Steps for Specialists. Project Cycle Management” embarked on an online training course. At the first seminar, they talked about the main changes in education, new formats and offline classes, as well as obtaining accreditation from the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service.

#training programmes

#steps for specialists

#news

#lsg

29.05.2024

How can municipalities ensure the resilience of their critical infrastructure?

U-LEAD experts explained what plans and programmes municipalities should have on the resilience of critical infrastructure and civil defence, and how to oversee their compliance.

#war

#energy security

#legislation

27.05.2024

The municipalities of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast got a hang of the programmes and initiatives of the Employment Service

With U-LEAD’s help, the participants of the info session were able to learn about the support programmes for employers and job seekers, how the Employment Service is being transformed from a control body into a service, and how to get a training voucher.

#news

#lsg

24.05.2024

Why are the numbers 35 and 24 so important for educators in 2024?

The U-LEAD expert explained the key points that must be taken into account at the end of the academic year in schools and went over cases when the rule of “24 students per homeroom” applies, why it is important to study for 35 weeks and how to keep educational damage to a minimum.

#education

#advice

24.05.2024

State GeoCadastre clarified the state land relations policy to the municipalities of the Rivne Oblast

U-LEAD continues the practice of cooperating with state institutions to provide municipalities with clarifications on new bills and amendments to the legislation. This time, experts of the State GeoCadastre discussed land management with the municipalities of the Rivne Oblast.

#land lease

#legislation

#lsg

#land reform

23.05.2024

Attracting businesses to the development of territories: a visit to the Lviv Oblast

The municipalities of the Volyn and Rivne Oblasts joined a study visit to the Lviv Oblast to learn about best practices and innovative solutions in rural development. The visit was supported by U-LEAD.

#intermunicipal cooperation

#development strategy

#business

#lsg

23.05.2024

Mine action of local self-government: securing, informing, promoting humanitarian demining

Since the outset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, almost 28,500 civilians have been injured from landmines and explosive ordnance. Pursuant to Article 38 of the Law of Ukraine “On Mine Action”, the actions or inaction of local self-government bodies may be challenged in court as prescribed by law. What are the powers and duties of local self-government regarding mine action? How can municipalities protect their children and adults? Read more below.

#war

#lsg

#legislation

#advice

23.05.2024

Procedure and grounds for the local self-government to contract volunteers

For municipalities, volunteering is still both a new and critical direction. That is why U-LEAD keeps organising relevant events for local self-government officials and inviting experts to provide clarifications.

#volunteering

#lsg

#advice

#legislation

21.05.2024

The municipalities are planning reconstruction: Kherson Oblast has so far submitted 170 projects to DREAM

Although the Kherson Oblast is in great need of recovery due to Russia’s full-scale aggression, a U-LEAD adviser stresses that local municipalities are too slow to register in the DREAM system, missing out on financial opportunities.

#war

#reconstruction

#lsg

21.05.2024

What is regulated by the Law “On Access to Public Information” for local self-government bodies

Public information and free access to it are among the fundamental principles of a democratic society and European approaches to relations between the authorities and the public. However, not all information available to the local self-government is open. And public information does not always mean open. Read more about the difference in our article.

#public information

#legislation

#advice

#lsg

17.05.2024

Bakototherapy and “Steel Magnolias”: municipalities of the Khmelnytskyi Oblast implement socially oriented projects

Psychological rehabilitation of veterans, patriotic education of youth, assistance to internally displaced women and military wives in finding employment and starting their own business — these are the projects implemented with the support of U-LEAD in the municipalities of Stara Ushytsia and Shepetivka.

#news

#lsg

#war

17.05.2024

The Vyhoda municipality has developed a Municipal Energy Plan

Municipal officials worked for 6 months under the expert support of U-LEAD as part of the Experience Sharing Network “Development of Municipal Energy Plans”.

#energy security

#legislation

#training programmes

16.05.2024

Passing inspections in wartime

Revision, audit and monitoring of procurements: representatives of the municipalities of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast learned how to smoothly pass inspections by regulatory bodies.

#lsg

#legislation

#advice

10.05.2024

Safety Commissions: creation and operation

To ensure an adequate level of civil protection, municipalities create special Commissions on Technogenic and Environmental Safety and Emergency Response. U-LEAD experts provided clarification on the creation of the Commissions, explored their main powers and analysed their financing mechanisms.

#safety in municipality

#advice

#lsg

#legislation

09.05.2024

Building secure internal communication

Municipalities continue to receive support from U-LEAD experts in building a high-quality and secure communication system in wartime. At the latest info session, representatives of municipalities studied the principles of building internal communications and analysed the services useful for improving team performance.

#safety

#communications

#lsg

07.05.2024

The support programme “Monitoring and Evaluation of the Municipal Development Strategy and the Action Plan for Its Implementation” was launched

Participants from 12 municipalities will study tools for evaluating and monitoring development strategies. From April to August 2024, experts of U-LEAD with Europe will work with them as part of training sessions and consultations.

#training programmes

#lsg

#development strategy

03.05.2024

Problems and challenges faced by the northern border municipalities

The heads of the municipalities located at the northern border of the Volyn Oblast met to share their experiences regarding martial law and security, as well as to seek ways to solve the problems of local municipalities together. The event was organised by U-LEAD.

#war

#international cooperation

#lsg

03.05.2024

Municipalities of the Lviv Oblast shared their experience of developing rural areas

Municipalities of the Lviv Oblast prioritise the support of rural areas, engage their capacities and attract additional resources. These practical cases can be useful for other municipalities that seek to work with this type of territories on a systemic level.

#intermunicipal cooperation

#study visit

#advice

30.04.2024

Use of property of non-working educational institutions in rural areas: what do you need to know?

If the property of a non-working general secondary education institution cannot be used for the needs of education, social protection, culture, sports or health care, municipalities have the opportunity to use it for other needs. Such actions are provided for by law, but subject to compliance with a number of conditions

#war

#education

#legislation

#municipal property

23.04.2024

Join the training program "Steps for Specialists. Project Cycle Management 2024" by U-LEAD with Europe!

Are you new to project management? Do you want to strengthen your skills in writing and implementing projects, introduce yourself to the latest approaches and methodology for elaborating project proposals, and analyse key mistakes that occur in the process of project preparation and implementation? Join the training program by U-LEAD with Europe!

#training programmes

#steps for specialists

#lsg

#announcements

22.04.2024

New Training program: "Development of the Statute of the Municipality"

Do you want to normalize relations with the public and strengthen interaction with citizens? Do you have to regulate the tools of local democracy at the local level? Do you want to openly, transparently and effectively involve citizens in decision-making at the local level? Join the training program from "U-LEAD with Europe"!

#training programmes

#legislation

#lsg

#announcements

19.04.2024

Local history, salt and oil: How municipal enterprises promote tourism in Lviv Oblast

Cuisine, history, art, entertainment and recreation are major tourist magnets. But in order to make them tourist attractions and generate revenue for the municipality, it is necessary to develop a strategy integrating services, logistics and marketing.

#tourism

#municipal property

#advice

18.04.2024

The Ovruch municipality relies on project activities

To create a project management sector — this decision was made by the municipality of Ovruch which joined U-LEAD’s support programme “Creating a Project Office in the Municipality”.

#project management

#lsg

#training programmes

17.04.2024

Provide support and assistance: Local self-government authorities to implement veteran policy

Developing a comprehensive approach to support veterans and their families, creating a high-quality veteran policy, as well as arranging systematic work to provide services to veterans and their families at the appropriate level are the tasks that require significant human, financial and organisational resources from local self-government bodies. U-LEAD experts explained how to effectively implement this policy in the municipality.

#war

#lsg

#legislation

#advice

16.04.2024

We invite you to "Steps for specialists. Introduction of medium-term budget planning in municipalities"

The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine will resume medium-term budget planning in 2024. Do you want to prepare a high-quality local budget forecast? Then U-LEAD with Europe is initiating a new training programme!

#training programmes

#steps for specialists

#lsg

#announcements

16.04.2024

The new "Steps" train a client-oriented approach

90 employees of local self-government bodies from all over Ukraine will learn to be client-oriented in the provision of social services. Read more to find out why this approach is important and which basic premises started the training.

#training programmes

#steps for specialists

#lsg

11.04.2024

The Fastiv municipality, Kyiv Oblast, introduces the one-stop shop for veterans

The status of a veteran should be stigmatised or associated with a bunch of issues that no one knows how to solve. Rather, it is an honourable status that means respectful treatment and real support. Almost every municipality in Ukraine is now undergoing the evolution from the first to the second, dignified approach. The municipality of Fastiv has come far, from volunteer initiatives to comprehensive changes in veterans’ policies.

#war

#lsg

#legislation

09.04.2024

Interreg Europe 2021–2027: a new development tool available for Ukrainian municipalities

While Ukraine already has access to many programmes financed from the EU budget, opportunities are expanding. Already from 2024, all Ukrainian municipalities are eligible for the Interreg Europe 2021–2027 Programme. Priorities, terms of participation and specific features of submitting a project were discussed at the info session organised by U-LEAD.

#international support

#lsg

#intermunicipal cooperation

09.04.2024

U-LEAD invites you to participate in the new Training Program "Steps for Specialists. Organisation of access to public information in local self-government bodies"

Does your local authority receive a lot of requests for information and find it difficult to deal with them? Do you have any difficulties with the «three-fold test»? Are you not sure if information on your website is disclosed in accordance with the law? If you have these and other questions related to providing access to public information, we invite you to join our Training Program.

#training programmes

#steps for specialists

#lsg

#announcements

09.04.2024

U-LEAD launches a support programme for the creation of lyceums in municipalities

In April and May, teams from 20 municipalities representing 13 oblast of Ukraine will participate in the support programme “Establishing a lyceum in the municipality”. U-LEAD experts will help the participants grasp the necessary and sufficient conditions for the establishment of a lyceum in the municipality and prepare the documents required to enable its proper operation.

#news

#education

#lsg

08.04.2024

“Steps for Specialists. Human Resource Management”: a new opportunity for municipalities

U-LEAD has launched a new training programme, “Steps for Specialists. Human Resource Management”. The programme will help local self-government officials prepare for the development and creation of effective HR management services and the implementation of the Law “On Service in Local Self-Government Bodies” as amended.

#lsg

#steps for specialists

#training programmes

08.04.2024

U-LEAD invites to participate in the new Support Program "Development of the public health system in the municipality"

Would you like to have a systematic approach to public health promotion in your municipality? Do you want to develop local public health documents according to the needs of the municipality? Do you need to establish intersectoral cooperation to support health? Join the U-LEAD with Europe Support Programme "Development of the public health system in the municipality"!

#announcements

#healthcare

#lsg

31.03.2024

Legal Corner. March 2024

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.03.2024.

#legislation

#legal corner

05.04.2024

U-LEAD strengthens and develops new forms of cooperation with the municipalities of Donetsk Oblast

The Regional Office of the Programme in the Donetsk Oblast has been providing comprehensive consulting and methodical support to local municipalities since the beginning of the decentralisation reform.

#war

#lsg

#partnership

04.04.2024

U-LEAD explains the benefits of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy to local self-government bodies

U-LEAD continues a series of info sessions in cooperation with the EU project “Institutional Policy Reform for Smallholder Agriculture” (IPRSA). The latest session focused on rural development and the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union.

#lsg

#advice

02.04.2024

“Steps for Specialists. Administrative Procedure”: results of the training programme

The comprehensive training program “Steps for Specialists. Administrative Procedure” developed and implemented by the U-LEAD with Europe Programme has come to an end. It gave us about 100 motivated representatives of municipalities and developed document templates for implementing the Law of Ukraine “On Administrative Procedure” in the operation of local self-government.

#training programmes

#steps for specialists

#lsg

02.04.2024

The war amplified the role of a starosta

At the relevant info session, heads of U-LEAD offices, experts, heads of municipalities and starostas discussed how the role of starostas had been amplified after the outset of the full-scale war, defined the powers of starostas under martial law and highlighted the municipal services encoded in their job duties.

#war

#starostas

#lsg

#advice

01.04.2024

Join the training program "Steps for Specialists. Communication of local self-government bodies"

How does the availability of a communication strategy affect the quality of information and the level of trust of residents in the authorities? How to take into account the specifics of certain social groups that have emerged because of the war and build the right communication with them? The answers to these and many other questions are in the new U-LEAD initiative!

#training programmes

#steps for specialists

#lsg

#communications

01.04.2024

Quality medical services in rural areas: experience of the Polytsi municipality

A municipality from the Rivne Oblast created its own Primary Healthcare Centre, even though according to experts’ recommendations, small rural municipalities are incapable of creating such facilities. They received assistance from experts from the local Regional Office of U-LEAD. The Centre already has several support packages from the National Health Service of Ukraine and is now self-sufficient.

#healthcare

#lsg

#advice

29.03.2024

Oksana Siliukova on internal communication in wartime: Timely communication is critical

Communication in wartime is all about security and providing the population with timely updates. Today, communication is not entertainment but a basic need, which often affects the safety and even the lives of the residents of municipalities. The head of the Regional Office of U-LEAD in the Kherson Oblast spoke about this in detail and shared her experience.

#war

#communications

#lsg

#advice

29.03.2024

Children and war: How can municipalities ensure proper care and protection?

U-LEAD experts have systematised information on the powers of local self-government bodies in the field of protection of children’s rights and talked about the main functions of the guardianship and custodianship body under martial law.

#war

#safety

#legislation

#internally displaced persons

28.03.2024

Project office: What is it supposed to be like?

What is a project office, and what is the purpose for municipalities to create it? What is it supposed to look like and which functions can it perform? Each municipality decides on the format and functions of this structure individually, depending on the resources, ambitions and needs.

#project management

#lsg

#advice

28.03.2024

Understanding the legal basis for volunteer involvement to be of great importance to municipalities

For local self-government officials, the U-LEAD Programme organised an information session on the peculiarities of volunteer involvement, terms and details of concluding agreements on volunteer activities, mechanisms for reimbursement of volunteers’ expenses, issuance of volunteer certificates and useful tips on volunteer accounting.

#volunteering

#lsg

#legislation

27.03.2024

Financial autonomy of educational institutions in the Zoria municipality

Financial autonomy in education can follow two different approaches: either each institution introduces the position of an accountant, or the municipality creates a special municipal institution that serves all educational institutions. The Zoria municipality, Rivne Oblast, chose the second option and shared its success story with other municipalities in the oblast at an experience exchange event held with the support of U-LEAD.

#intermunicipal cooperation

#finances

#advice

25.03.2024

With the support of U-LEAD, Administrative Services Centres in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast are expanding the circle of their international partners

Administrative Services Centres (ASCs) can only ensure proper operation and implement new programmes subject to systematic efforts to attract funding and technical assistance.

#Administrative Service Center

#international cooperation

#lsg

21.03.2024

Why local authorities should support rural development: EU legislation and best practices

Rural areas make up more than 70% of the entire area of Ukraine. Their prosperity and development should be a priority for local authorities. One of the Wednesdays with U-LEAD events covered rural development standards in effect in the European Union and how local authorities and the state can benefit from them.

#advice

#legislation

#lsg

20.03.2024

Voluntary civil defence units as an effective security tool

In the context of martial law, the local self-governments seek new opportunities to improve security. It is possible for municipalities to create VCDUs to assist other services. U-LEAD experts explain the way to do this.

#volunteering

#lsg

#advice

#legislation

#safety

15.03.2024

U-LEAD will teach municipalities to develop and use public budgets

For five months, 16 teams from 10 oblasts of Ukraine will work on the implementation of the public budget in their municipalities. U-LEAD experts will help them with everything from the development of a package of documents to the selection of competition winners.

#lsg

#local budgets

#training programmes

15.03.2024

The Mezhova municipality is among the first in Ukraine to adopt the Recovery and Reconstruction Programme

The Comprehensive Recovery Programme was being developed here for almost a year. They started in April 2023 and approved the finished document in March 2024. From now on, the Mezhova municipality is among the first in Ukraine to have the Recovery and Reconstruction Programme in place.

#war

#reconstruction

#lsg

14.03.2024

Changes in the Medical Guarantee Programme and how to use them for the benefit of patients and hospitals

U-LEAD experts told the participants of the info session about the expansion of the Medical Guarantee Programme and changes in the financing of services, the inspection of healthcare facilities by the National Health Service and the improvement of services for patients.

#healthcare

#advice

#legislation

13.03.2024

Municipal property: turning the burden of maintenance into income for the municipal budget?

As part of U-LEAD’s programme “STEPS for Specialists. Municipal Property Management”, specialised specialists will learn how to ensure effective management of municipal property, optimise the costs of its maintenance and receive income from it for the municipality budget.

#municipal property

#lsg

#steps for specialists

05.03.2024

Changes in the legislation on humanitarian aid: who is affected and how to proceed?

U-LEAD experts informed representatives of local self-government about important changes in the legislation regarding humanitarian and charitable aid, its import, accounting and use.

#legislation

#advice

#war

29.02.2024

Legal Corner. February 2024

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 29.02.2024.

#legal corner

#legislation

01.03.2024

Cessation of ownership of destroyed municipal property: U-LEAD explains the procedure

Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian aggression, a lot of the Ukrainian municipalities have suffered from the destruction, so the issue of the cessation of ownership of the destroyed municipal property is an urgent one. The various events of the U-LEAD with Europe programme for specialists in local self-government have been devoted to this issue, with the clarification of the algorithms of action in specific cases.

#war

#lsg

#legislation

#reconstruction

01.03.2024

Filing declarations for employees of local self-government in 2024: deadlines, requirements and clarification

The declaration campaign for the 2023 reporting period is open until 31 March 2024. Income declarations must be submitted by local government employees, members of local councils and other declaration filers.

#legislation

#lsg

#advice

29.02.2024

Recording destruction and damage of property: Algorithm of actions for local self-government bodies

The enemy keeps launching rocket attacks and shelling the territories of the municipalities, causing a lot of destruction and damage to the infrastructure and to the private property. Full recovery requires not only funds, but also a specific recording process, with local self-government bodies playing a key role. Learn more about the algorithm of actions for recording destruction and its peculiarities in the commentary of the U-LEAD expert.

#war

#lsg

#legislation

29.02.2024

Hospital CEO appointment: from competition announcement to contract signing

The U-LEAD experts explained to the representatives of municipalities the algorithm of holding a competition for the position of the healthcare facility CEO and clarified the issue of part-time work and competition procedures during the martial law period.

#healthcare

#legislation

#advice

27.02.2024

It is not possible for municipalities to support IDPs solely by providing humanitarian aid

The Ministry of Social Policy has reported that in the third year of the full-scale war, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine hit almost 4.9 million people. Half of these people have no place to return to. The safer municipalities hosting these millions now face challenges. Nevertheless, mechanisms and tools exist to ensure that IDPs integrate into the municipality, becoming its “growth point”.

#war

#internally displaced persons

#lsg

#advice

27.02.2024

Cross-border cooperation projects for rural areas: seeking for partners and specifics of applications

The development of rural areas is a priority task for local self-government. Today, cross-border cooperation opens up new opportunities for Ukrainian municipalities.

#international cooperation

#lsg

#advice

21.02.2024

The Ladan municipality and its bold and well-timed decisions

The story of the formation and development of a small but very ambitious and capable municipality that offers much to be learnt.

#municipality

#lsg

#advice

21.02.2024

Public budget: plan for development and relieving social tension

U-LEAD seeks to increase the level of citizen involvement in the budget process. One of the instruments of such involvement is the public budget.

#local budgets

#lsg

#advice

20.02.2024

Municipal youth policies: advisory councils, interests and activity on social media

More than four hundred youth councils have been created in Ukraine. 120 of them were established in 2023. How do these advisory bodies work and grow? Why is this important, and what is needed for the development of youth policy?

#youth councils

#youth

#lsg

19.02.2024

Local self-government employees must declare property located in the temporarily occupied territories

According to the updated Clarifications of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, the declaration filer must include in the declaration information about any real estate belonging to them and their family members, including any real estate located in the temporarily occupied territories.

#legislation

#advice

#lsg

15.02.2024

Municipalities must assess the budget programme performance despite martial law

From 24 February 2022, the primary administrators of local budget funds operate under martial law. Despite this, the law requires an assessment of the performance of the previous year’s budget programmes and providing its results to local financial authorities.

#lsg

#advice

#local budgets

14.02.2024

1,500 participants study the rules of ethical behavior for work as Local self-government

The educational project is implemented by the RMTeam with the comprehensive support provided by the U-LEAD with Europe Programme and in partnership with the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.

#news

#training programmes

#lsg

31.01.2024

Legal Corner. January 2024

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.01.2024.

#legal corner

#legislation

09.01.2024

Three steps to food security in municipalities

In wartime, food self-sufficiency becomes a key issue for municipalities. This is relevant to both front-line territories and nominally rear regions. Ihor Ahibalov, Head of the Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in the Luhansk Oblast, talked about this in detail.

#food security

#advice

31.12.2023

Legal Corner. December 2023

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.12.2023.

#legislation

#legal corner

19.12.2023

Paid social services: Who should pay, what services are provided on a paid basis and how much do they cost?

Since 2020, the provision of social services has been transferred to the municipal level. Reasonably, the question of funds for payment of these services for certain categories of recipients arose. U-LEAD experts clarified the cases when social services may be provided on a paid basis and how their differentiated fees are calculated.

#legislation

#analytics

#social services

#advice

15.12.2023

Despite the war, decisions on local budgets for 2024 are subject to mandatory publication!

What must be made public in terms of budget documents under martial law? When and where should the decision on the budget 2024 be made public? What to do if the municipality has lost access to its Internet resources, what are the alternative information platforms for publishing the decision?

#finances

#advice

#legislation

15.12.2023

Wartime land improvement: an experience exchange visit for municipalities of the Poltava Oblast

How to organise the activities of a land improvement utility company in wartime? U-LEAD joins the search for and support of the best practices of local self-government and organises experience exchange events. One of these events took place in the municipality of Machukhy, Poltava Oblast.

#news

#international cooperation

#lsg

13.12.2023

Municipal Energy Plan: Necessity and challenges

The Experience Sharing Network on the development of municipal energy plans has been completed. The municipalities, together with U-LEAD experts, summarised the results and discussed the improvement of the methodology of the Ministry of Infrastructure.

#energy security

#advice

#steps for specialists

#training programmes

11.12.2023

Development of transparent processes and prevention of corruption risks in healthcare facilities

How to ensure transparent functioning of your hospital and what deserves special attention during anti-corruption changes — answers to these questions in analytical material from U-LEAD experts.

#health care

#anti-corruption

#analytics

#advice

08.12.2023

U-LEAD assists municipal financial authorities in budgeting for 2024

This article provides our experts with practical recommendations for solving the most frequently asked problems by the participants of the training programme "Steps for Specialists. Formation and Approval of the Local Budget for 2024".

#local budgets

#steps for specialists

#training programmes

#advice

06.12.2023

Municipalities should have “educational environment safety managers”

Educational environment safety managers in the local self-government: who are they and what are their functions? To explain the purpose of introducing this position, U-LEAD organised an event for Ukrainian municipalities together with the Department of Juvenile Prevention of the National Police of Ukraine.

#education

#safety

#lsg

29.11.2023

New requirements for providing bomb shelters in municipalities: clarification of U-LEAD experts

New requirements for providing bomb shelters came into force on the 1st of November. How will these innovations affect their reconstruction and overhaul? What additional restrictions should local self-government bodies keep in mind when equipping protective facilities from now on?

#legislation

#war

28.11.2023

Expert: Municipalities can allocate the free balance of the budget only to certain directions

The President of Ukraine signed Law No. 3428-IX “On Amendments to Section VI of the Budget Code of Ukraine on Ensuring the Support of the State’s Defence Capabilities and the Development of the Defence and Industrial Complex of Ukraine” dated 8 November 2023. This Law lists directions for the municipalities to allocate free local budget balances under martial law.

#legislation

#local budgets

#advice

#news

27.11.2023

Аnti-corruption legislation: What has changed for local self-government bodies?

On clarification of changes for local self-government bodies with the entry into force of Law of Ukraine No. 3384-ІХ “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Defining the Procedure for Submission of Declarations by Persons Authorised to Perform State or Local Self-Government Functions under Martial Law”.

#legislation

#anti-corruption

30.11.2023

Legal Corner. November 2023

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 30.11.2023.

#legal corner

#legislation

21.11.2023

Energy projects in municipalities are long-term, complex, and demanding

For almost a year, the U-LEAD Program has been teaching municipalities how to implement energy security. At the final information sessions, the participants consolidated the skills of writing energy projects and submitting grant applications.

#energy security

#news

#advice

20.11.2023

Interaction of local self-government with the volunteer community: pros, cons, pitfalls

Why is the volunteer movement popular and influential in some municipalities, while volunteer initiatives are barely noticeable in others? How can local self-government bodies find points of contact for effective cooperation with volunteer groups?

#volunteering

#lsg

#advice

17.11.2023

Decolonisation of toponyms: To be implemented by municipalities by January 2024

How exactly should local self-government bodies implement the Law of Ukraine “On Condemnation and Prohibition of Propaganda of Russian Imperial Policy in Ukraine and Decolonisation of Toponymy”.

#derussification

#news

#legislation

31.10.2023

Legal Corner. October 2023

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 31.10.2023.

#legislation

#legal corner

02.11.2023

Pryiutivka municipality knows how to improve the interactions between volunteers and local self-government

Thanks to U-LEAD’s training, the municipality’s team managed to spot the burnout of its volunteers in time, took appropriate measures and successfully dealt with it.

#lsg

#volunteering

01.11.2023

Female Leadership School: Lectures, mentoring consultations and meetings to share experiences for municipality leaders

A project is launched, the participants of which are women who learn to support women in their municipalities, fight gender inequality and develop their own leadership.

#training programmes

#lsg

#woman's leadership

31.10.2023

How do dairy farming and public pastures shape food security?

U-LEAD has organised several events on this topic to improve the competence of municipalities in dairy farming. At these events, experts explained how this industry affects food security and the local economy.

#analytics

#advice

#food security

31.10.2023

Business-friendly municipality: How and why should municipalities work on projects to support and develop entrepreneurship?

Read about how local self-government bodies can attract funds from international funds for their own projects and develop the capacity to use these funds.

#analytics

#lsg

#war

#reconstruction

29.09.2023

Legal Corner. September 2023

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This version is current as of 30.09.2023.

#legal corner

#legislation

29.09.2023

Teacher appraisals: details of the procedure

How exactly to carry out the appraisals of teaching staff in 2023/2024? What are the procedures for the scheduled appraisal as well as extraordinary appraisals initiated by the employee/manager? U-LEAD’s expert answers these questions.

#advice

#legislation

#education

28.09.2023

Organisation of municipality-based mental health and rehabilitation service provision

This analytical material is devoted to the need and methods of mental health monitoring, finding and providing help.

#healthcare

#analytics

#advice

27.09.2023

Dismissal from the local self-government bodies under martial law

U-LEAD adviser clarifies the powers of employers, the rights of employees and the general provisions under which employment can be terminated in local self-government bodies.

#working issues

#legislation

#advice

#lsg

19.09.2023

We invite municipalities to online consultations on social protection!

The Partnership for Every Child and the U-LEAD with Europe Programe will hold online consultations on the organization of the social protection system, social work, provision of social services and child protection.

#announcement

#news

#lsg

11.09.2023

Diagnostics of the local taxation system in Ukraine: analytical results

This extensive analytical report by our experts looks for ways to strengthen the financial capacity of local self-government bodies.

#analytics

#local budgets

#lsg

#advice

05.09.2023

Lakes and ponds, waterworks, aquaculture: How to manage "water resources" for municipalities

The participants of the "Coffee with Experts" discussion, hosted by the U-LEAD with Europe Regional Office in Odesa Oblast, learned about the management, and history of local water resources and the reform process in this area.

#news

#legislation

05.09.2023

Infographics: Developing recovery plans

U-LEAD experts analysed the legislation and made infographics to show you the stages and timelines of recovery plans, the components of these plans and who develops them.

#recovery

#legislation

28.08.2023

Municipalities and U-LEAD experts analyzed the innovations in legislation in the field of water resources management

During the event in the Coffee with Experts format, the municipalities of the Poltava, Kharkiv and Cherkasy Oblasts spoke with U-LEAD experts on Spatial Planning and Natural Resource Management about the updates in the water resources management legislation and approaches to water resources management.

#news

#legislation

25.08.2023

Can the municipality finance the needs of the military at the expense of local budgets? U-LEAD clarifies

At the event for Cherkasy municipalities, a hot topic was discussed: solving financial issues under martial law. The participants familiarized themselves with changes in the legislation in the spheres of financial and budgetary relations of the local government, worked out urgent issues of the implementation of the powers of the local government and discussed the powers to finance the needs of the military at the expense of local budgets.

#finances

#war

#advice

#legislation

21.08.2023

More than 300 municipal agricultural enterprises were created in the municipalities to increase food security

Unfortunately, as a rule, they cannot take advantage of grants from the state, and this situation needs to change. It is also necessary to develop small businesses in order to process the received raw materials into products.

#food security

#news

#advice

11.08.2023

An employee of a local self-government body is a blood donor: how not to violate their rights?

U-LEAD experts provided clarification on donor guarantees to employees of local self-government bodies who voluntarily donate blood and its components. These include an additional day of rest and leave on the day of examination and donation. What to do if the employee must be present at the workplace on the day of blood donation?

#legislation

#lsg

#advice

#healthcare

31.07.2023

Legal Corner. July 2023

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This information is constantly updated. This version is current as of 31.07.2023.

#legal corner

#legislation

09.08.2023

Capacity of mid-level medical practitioners in Ukraine is underutilised

U-LEAD experts held an information session where they compared the qualifications and duties of Ukrainian nurses with their colleagues from Poland and Finland.

#advice

#healthcare

08.08.2023

Active volunteer environments are a must in municipalities

Participants of U-LEAD’s training programme “Steps for Specialists. Interaction of Local Self-Government Bodies and Volunteer Associations” told why this interaction is so important, shared their impressions of the course and expressed gratitude to colleagues and organizers.

#training programmes

#lsg

#volunteering

#steps for specialists

01.08.2023

U-LEAD teach municipality representatives to build internal and external communication

“U-LEAD with Europe” continue to work with municipalities over a quality communication system. For this purpose, a series of educational events called “Interaction for Changes” was launched.

#communications

#advice

#news

01.08.2023

Mental health care as an essential element of the medical system in municipalities

Discover how mental health affects economic performance, why it is crucial for municipalities to establish a mental health care system for their residents, what future benefits are expected, and the principles to guide the process.

#health care

#advice

31.07.2023

11 relevant grant opportunities for municipalities in the field of recovery and development

Experts of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme continue to compile selections of relevant grant opportunities on various fields of local self-government activity in the conditions of the war.

#grant

#lsg

#business

27.07.2023

U-LEAD expert: Forming a network of lyceums at the municipal level should be started as early as this summer

Networks of high school institutions should be completed by 1 September 2027. The participants of the info session “Municipal Educational Activities in the Summer” learned the necessary steps for the founders of municipal lyceums, forecasts and risks, as well as best practices.

#advice

#education

26.07.2023

The Law No. 3050: Expert explains changes for local self-government bodies/military administrations on setting individual tax exemptions

The Law No. 3050 "On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine and Other Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Exemption from Environmental Tax, Land Payment and Real Estate Tax Other Than a Land Plot for Destroyed or Damaged Real Estate" has recently come into force. What impact does it have on local self-government bodies and what are the new powers of municipalities?

#legislation

#environment

26.07.2023

U-LEAD organised a visit to exchange experiences between the municipalities of the Poltava and Cherkasy oblasts

The purpose of the visit is to share best practices in the organisation of municipal services of self-government bodies in wartime.

#news

#lsg

#intermunicipal cooperation

25.07.2023

Developing a strategic environmental assessment: practical advice for municipalities

Why is a strategic environmental assessment of state planning documents such as municipal development strategies important? How has the recently-launched Unified National Environmental Impact Assessment Registry improved this procedure?

#environment

#advice

#planning

18.07.2023

Development of a medical care quality system in municipalities

Medical care in Ukraine cannot be called the best. In this material, our experts speak frankly about the non-recognition of medical errors and the risks of treatment. If the municipality wants to seriously improve the quality of its health services, how to properly evaluate this quality and what are the important stages on the way to its improvement?

#health care

#advice

#analytics

14.07.2023

On the simplified procedure for local taxes and fees for the period of martial law

The participants of the information session, held by U-LEAD in partnership with the Southern Interregional Department of the State Regulatory Service of Ukraine, learned about the peculiarities of regulatory policy during the war, the possibility for local councils to adopt acts under a simplified procedure, as well as the pitfalls of such indulgences.

#finances

#war

#advice

#legislation

11.07.2023

Things to know about archives and the document nomenclature in 2023

The participants of the information session, held by U-LEAD in partnership with the State Archives of Mykolaiv Oblast, learned about the peculiarities of archival affairs and record keeping in municipalities.

#advice

#legislation

#lsg

11.07.2023

U-LEAD helps municipalities to understand public procurement for budget funds

Read our material about public procurement for budget funds, authorised persons and municipalities' work with experts from the Institute for Budgetary and Socio-Economic Research (IBSER).

#local budgets

#advice

#legislation

10.07.2023

Land audit in municipalities by U-LEAD with Europe: sharing a step-by-step algorithm

Read about the audit, its meaning, importance and implementation tools in the material from U-LEAD experts.

#finances

#advice

07.07.2023

Retain and offer confidence in the future: why municipalities need a Youth Development Policy

What is the role of the youth council in the municipality? How has the war changed the focus of youth councils? Why is the “youth-friendly municipality” strategically beneficial? These and other questions were discussed by the participants of the info session from U-LEAD.

#youth councils

#youth

#lsg

30.06.2023

Legal Corner. June 2023

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This information is constantly updated. This version is current as of 30.06.2023.

#legal corner

#legislation

06.07.2023

Facilitating IDP business relocation: economically empowered municipalities

This article is about the organisation of IDP business development work in municipalities and the benefits of such cooperation, opportunities for IDPs, as well as for municipal residents and war veterans to start their own businesses, as well as about government and international grant assistance in this process.

#war

#internally displaced persons

#business

#advice

04.07.2023

The Law “On Waste Management” enters into force

U-LEAD experts offer you an infographic dedicated to the related changes, requirements and responsibilities of local governments.

#legislation

#news

04.07.2023

How to deal if a local government employee stayed in the temporarily occupied territory and was forced to obtain a Russian passport?

U-LEAD experts provided explanations on personnel issues related to the work of local self-government under occupation.

#war

#legislation

#advice

21.06.2023

U-LEAD with Europe jointly with tax authorities explains peculiarities of taxes and fees payment under martial law to municipalities of Kharkiv Oblast

During the joint information session, the U-LEAD with Europe Regional Office and the Main Department of the State Tax Service in Kharkiv Oblast discussed changes to the tax legislation under martial law and the ability of local self-government representatives to ensure the flow of their own resources to local budgets.

#war

#legislation

#finances

#local budgets

21.06.2023

What annual leave can a local self-government employee expect in 2023?

Participants of the U-LEAD information session learned about the rules for granting annual leave under martial law, restrictions, refusals, compensation and legislative regulation of this process. You can also find out!

#lsg

#legislation

#advice

19.06.2023

The infrastructural stage of the healthcare reform: biggest concerns of municipalities

Find out more about the concerns of local self-government in the field of health care and their urgent questions in this article.

#health care

#lsg

#question - answer

#analytics

23.06.2023

How to build an efficient system for management and implementation of EU funds – lessons from Poland

Read analytical material about the pre-accession for joining the EU in the fields of Decentralisation, Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments.

#advice

#international cooperation

#analytics

15.06.2023

Municipality helps business to overcome fear of grants

This article is about the municipality-business-grants triangle and the role of local self-government in attracting money for business development.

#business

#grant

#lsg

15.06.2023

Social dormitories: How municipality may provide IDPs with housing

The participants of the informational session, organised by the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, found out about the transformation of ordinary housing into social one and the conditions for internally displaced persons to receive it.

#internally displaced persons

#war

#reconstruction

#advice

14.06.2023

Role of Regional Departments of Health at the current stage of medical reform

Read our experts’ analytical article to find out more about the competencies, duties, functions, past and future of the Regional Departments of Health.

#health care

#legislation

#advice

#analytics

13.06.2023

New Guidelines from U-LEAD: accounting and reporting in municipalities

Programme experts have developed Guidelines for Accounting and Reporting in Municipalities for more efficient accounting and proper display of calculations in financial reporting.

#finances

#advice

#accounting

31.05.2023

Legal Corner. May 2023

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This information is constantly updated. This version is current as of 31.05.2023.

#legal corner

#legislation

02.06.2023

U-LEAD helps municipalities stabilise budget processes in wartime

Over the course of six weeks, 100 employees of local financial bodies will learn how to manage municipal resources more effectively, analyse and identify reserves and propose steps to stabilise local budgets, and U-LEAD experts and the experience of other municipalities will help them in this.

#local budgets

#lsg

#finances

#steps for specialists

#training programmes

02.06.2023

New “Steps for Specialists” launched to help build cooperation between authorities and volunteers

120 people from 19 oblasts of Ukraine were chosen to participate in the new training programme “Steps for Specialists. Cooperation between Local Self-Government and Volunteer Associations” implemented by U-LEAD. Over the course of six weeks, the participants will learn the tools of effective communication between local self-government bodies and volunteers, as well as develop the skills of their application in various contexts.

#steps for specialists

#training programmes

#lsg

31.05.2023

A U-LEAD expert answers questions about the duration of the educational process, returning students and grading them

Completion of the 2022-2023 academic year, grading students who studied in two different schools, how the final grades are calculated — read the article to find out about all this and more.

#education

#war

#advice

#schools

30.05.2023

Expert: Despite the war, municipalities must release public information as per the laws

Read more to learn about the balance between transparency and security, requirements for local self-government to release information under martial law and the use of the “three-fold test” in this process, as well as how the municipalities can determine whether to restrict access to the information.

#advice

#legislation

#war

30.05.2023

Experience Sharing Network “Development of the Municipal Safe Environment Programme” has been launched

Over the course of four months, 24 municipalities, together with U-LEAD experts, will develop solutions for organising safe environments in their territories. This experience will become a road map for the implementation of safety measures for other municipalities.

#news

#lsg

#training programmes

26.05.2023

The training programme “Steps for Specialists. Municipal Property Management” has been launched

Over 6 weeks, its participants will receive relevant expertise on the management of municipal property of the municipality and learn about the peculiarities of this process under martial law and how to dispose of and use the municipal property effectively.

#steps for specialists

#training programmes

#lsg

23.05.2023

24 municipalities will exchange experience in creating a safe space

U-LEAD with Europe sincerely congratulates 24 municipalities-winners of the competitive selection for participation in the experience exchange network on creating a safe space.

#news

#lsg

#training programmes

19.05.2023

Practical advice for employers when using e-services of the Pension Fund of Ukraine

U-LEAD with Europe held an info session where the participants learned about the innovations of the e-services of the Pension Fund of Ukraine and the features of the e-sick leave service, learned about typical errors when filling out e-documents and clarified how to settle sick leave.

#advice

#legislation

#news

17.05.2023

Municipalities can improve their energy efficiency now

Participants of the training course “Municipal Energy Security” learned about practical solutions, recommendations and trends of energy consumption.

#energy security

#advice

#news

15.05.2023

The war affects education: What is the educational and psychological damage?

How to properly end the most difficult school year in our history, and should local self-government compensate children for lost opportunities?

#war

#education

#advice

#schools

11.05.2023

U-LEAD launched a new communication format between the National Health Service of Ukraine and the founders of healthcare facilities

The participants of the “Dialogues with the National Health Service of Ukraine” discussed the further stages of the transformation of the health care system, the functioning of healthcare facilities and the provision of services in the conditions of a full-scale war.

#news

#health care

#advice

#communications

30.04.2023

Legal Corner. April 2023

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This information is constantly updated. This version is current as of 30.04.2023.

#legislation

#legal corner

27.04.2023

Interaction of LSGs and volunteers: enrolment to the new U-LEAD Training Program starts

Are there volunteer initiatives and associations in your municipality, but you don't know how to interact with them effectively? Do you want to improve cooperation with volunteers so that their activity continues after our Victory, but do not understand how to establish communication? Join the U-LEAD training program and build partnerships with volunteers!

#announcements

#lsg

#volunteering

#news

26.04.2023

Evacuation of the population: municipalities must have a set of documents ready

Read an interview with a member of the U-LEAD Working Group on Civil Protection and Public Safety about the requirements to the local self-government bodies for the arrangement of evacuation measures.

#advice

#lsg

#news

#interview

24.04.2023

Communal property management: U-LEAD announces enrollment for the new Training Programme

Make the work on communal property management more efficient in your local self-government body and establish cooperation with colleagues from other oblasts! The new U-LEAD with Europe Training Programme will help you.

#training programmes

#lsg

#steps for specialists

14.04.2023

Safety Experience Sharing Network: presentation of the competitive selection

What is this Network and how to participate in it? What are the requirements for participants and what should they expect? Fill out the application for competitive selection by April 30 and show your results and achievements as early as September.

#lsg

#announcements

#training programmes

12.04.2023

Introduction of the minimum tax liability will increase revenues to municipal budgets

U-LEAD adviser explains how the new Law No. 1914 affects the Tax Code, changes for agricultural land tenants and how to pay the minimum tax liability correctly.

#news

#legislation

#advice

06.04.2023

Invitation for local self-government officials: Experience Sharing Network “Development of the Municipal Safe Environment Programme”

Learn how to improve safety and pool resources to create an appropriately safe environment, who are safety stakeholders and what kind of impact ensuring a safe environment of the municipality can have on its social and economic development.

#lsg

#announcements

#training programmes

06.04.2023

Accounting for humanitarian aid in relocated municipalities

Ihor Ahibalov talks about the lack of a legal framework and regulations to be followed when receiving and distributing humanitarian aid.

#legislation

#advice

#international support

05.04.2023

Organising a network of cultural centres: from the basic to the highest levels

U-LEAD taught the officials of the local self-government of the Dnipropetrovsk oblast how to establish a network of this kind of institutions, multitasking and seeking funding in wartime.

#culture

#advice

#decentralisation

29.03.2023

Why do municipalities need energy policies?

A series of educational and advisory events on energy security continues.

#energy security

#advice

#war

#news

27.03.2023

New law gave municipalities additional tools for fire brigades

U-LEAD presents the changes in legislation and explains their significance.

#news

#legislation

#volunteer fire brigades

27.03.2023

Legal Corner. March 2023

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This information is constantly updated. This version is current as of 27.03.2023.

#legislation

#legal corner

#digest

16.03.2023

Protecting workers and preventing fines

These are the tasks set by the State Labour Service for municipalities in March.

#legislation

#advice

#business

#enterpreneurship

15.03.2023

How can local self-government bodies use information from electronic data posted on the website of the National Health Service of Ukraine?

This is required during strategic planning and operational decision-making in health care.

#health care

#advice

#lsg

15.03.2023

How can a municipality form its energy security policy?

U-LEAD talks about infrastructure modernisation and launching the municipality’s own energy generation.

#energy security

#advice

#news

14.03.2023

Certification of local self-government officials under martial law

U-LEAD experts discussed its procedure.

#war

#advice

#legislation

09.03.2023

How does martial law affect access to public information? U-LEAD experts explain

Since the outset of the full-scale invasion, information security, protection of personal data and counteracting misinformation in the municipalities have become critical challenges for local self-government.

#war

#public information

#legislation

08.03.2023

With U-LEAD’s support, municipal officials are changing their approach to landscaping

Solidarity of residents, new jobs, ensuring comfortable and safe living in the locality. These are the results of quality management of landscaping in a municipality.

#advice

#land improvements

28.02.2023

Legal Corner. February 2023

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This information is constantly updated. This version is current as of 28.02.2023.

#legal corner

#legislation

#digest

07.03.2023

Municipalities must work on forming food reserves in cooperation with military administrations

Creating these reserves is a new challenge of martial law, a special period for local self-government and public authorities.

#food safety

#advice

06.03.2023

HR work in LSG: U-LEAD announces new recruitment for a new training program

Make work with personnel in your LSG more effective and establish cooperation with colleagues from other oblasts!

#training programmes

#lsg

#announcement

03.03.2023

Nine communication tools for working with internally displaced persons

Communication is an important aspect of the social integration of IDPs into community life. To help with building it, U-LEAD held a series of events and engaged experts for clarification.

#advice

#communications

#internally displaced persons

02.03.2023

Business Support Centres explained by U-LEAD

The Programme helps municipalities understand the main steps for setting them up.

#business

#advice

#enterpreneurship

#news

01.03.2023

Assessing the effectiveness of budget programmes: procedure during martial law

This topic was discussed at the event “Implementation of Passports of Budget Programmes: Reporting and Performance Assessment” held by U-LEAD for the municipalities of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava and Cherkasy oblasts.

#local budgets

#war

#advice

28.02.2023

A series of educational and advisory events on energy security in municipalities launched

Experts will help analyse their energy potential, determine goals for increasing the level of energy security and navigate the expediency of renewable energy projects.

#energy security

#advice

#war

#news

28.02.2023

Prohibition or permission to travel abroad. Who in the municipalities is affected by the new Law?

The Government has amended the rules for crossing the border, introducing a number of restrictions that also affect local self-government.

#legislation

#news

#war

27.02.2023

About territories where you can not pay some types of taxes - a conversation with experts in the Kharkiv oblast

The regional office of the Programme, together with the Main Department of the State Tax Service in the Kharkiv oblast, organised an information session for more than 40 municipalities.

#legislation

#finances

#news

16.02.2023

U-LEAD experts in partnership with the State Tax Service explain legislative innovations to municipalities

The U-LEAD with Europe Programme works together with partners to improve the tax culture of the population and the businesses community.

#legislation

#finances

#news

16.02.2023

U-LEAD experts explained to municipalities the procedure for allocating land shares under martial law

The procedure for allocating land shares became a topic for discussion at Coffee with Experts, an event held by the Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in the Zaporizhzhia oblast.

#land lease

#news

#legislation

01.02.2023

Legislative support: municipalities can establish local and volunteer fire brigades

Read more to learn about the latest changes in legislation, organisation and support of local fire and rescue units.

#volunteer fire brigades

#news

#legislation

26.01.2023

The importance of a Law on Administrative Procedure for citizens in general and for local self-government in particular, based on the German example

Interview with Ms. Manuela Söller-Winkler, State Secretary retd., International Expert of U-LEAD with Europe

#legislation

#reform of the local self-government

#germany

31.01.2023

Legal Corner. January 2023

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This information is constantly updated. This version is current as of 31.01.2023.

#legislation

#legal corner

23.12.2022

U-LEAD experts explain what to do if you lose your passport, driver’s license and other identification documents

Due to war and other extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances, everyone can lose their ID.

#document management

#advice

22.12.2022

U-LEAD experts clarified financing healthcare facilities in 2023 to municipal professionals

How to ensure the financial stability of a health care institution? What should be the financial plan and what is necessary for profitability?

#health care

#advice

20.12.2022

Organisation of the process of debris management in municipalities: first steps to be taken

U-LEAD with Europe Programme helps municipalities to overcome daily negative consequences of the aggression of the russian federation (rf). The issue of debris management requires special attention among many other consequences and challenges.

#waste management

#war

#advice

19.12.2022

Updates in the Regulation of Land Relations — Explained by U-LEAD Experts

The new law, among other things, restores land auctions for the transfer of agricultural land plots for use and partially restores the possibility of free privatisation for real estate owners.

#land reform

#news

#advice

07.12.2022

«Vision Zero» concept helps minimize the number of road accidents in municipalities

In this material, we explain a simple algorithm for analyzing the safety situation on the roads of your municipality. We also provide a list of means that will help improve traffic safety.

#road safety

#advice

31.12.2022

Legal Corner. December 2022

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This information is constantly updated. This version is current as of 31.12.2022.

#legislation

#legal corner

#digest

01.12.2022

How can municipalities recover documents lost due to the war?

U-LEAD experts answer this question.

#advice

#document management

#war

26.11.2022

Municipal professionals from the Odesa and Zaporizhzhia oblasts learn best food security practices from their neighbours

U-LEAD experts help them develop programmes to increase resilience and self-sufficiency in wartime.

#food security

#war

#advice

24.11.2022

Municipalities can turn abandoned properties into business spaces

U-LEAD experts prove the necessity of such transformations and analyse successful cases.

#advice

#business

#internally displaced persons

30.11.2022

Legal Corner. November 2022

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This information is constantly updated. This version is current as of 30.11.2022.

#digest

#legal corner

#legislation

09.11.2022

U-LEAD teaches financial autonomy to municipal educational institutions

An info session on this was held for the municipalities of the Kharkiv region. Accounting for autonomous educational institutions and the peculiarities of labour relations with employees of educational institutions under martial law were also discussed.

#education

#finances

#advice

31.10.2022

U-LEAD experts help municipalities develop food security programmes

The U-LEAD with Europe Programme is committed to providing comprehensive help to municipalities to overcome the challenges caused by the war.

#war

#advice

#food security

27.10.2022

Municipalities of Zakarpattia are promoting cycling with support of U-LEAD

In recent years, municipalities have been actively developing bicycle infrastructure and promoting cycling. The U-LEAD with Europe Programme provides all the necessary methodological support for this.

#cycling infrastructure

#advice

31.10.2022

Legal Corner. October 2022

A digest of all news on legislation in parts that may concern local self-government. This information is constantly updated. This version is current as of 31/10/2022.

#digest

#legislation

#legal corner

26.10.2022

U-LEAD teaches how to restore lost documentation and set up effective document flow in municipalities

The issue of restoring document flow and retrieving the documents themselves will be relevant for municipalities that were under occupation and those that suffered from shelling.

#advice

#document management

25.10.2022

U-LEAD explains ins and outs of remote work to municipalities

Martial law introduced many changes in the activities of local self-government bodies, especially regarding labour relations.

#working issues

#advice

24.10.2022

U-LEAD experts train municipal starostas on information security and public outreach

Critical thinking and quality public outreach are important skills for a starosta (head of a village) to have in wartime.

#starostas

#advice

#communications

20.10.2022

Waste management in wartime: tips for municipalities (INFOGRAPHIC)

The war affected and changed the municipalities of Ukraine. Many Ukrainians were forced to leave their homes, which caused a change in the load on critical infrastructure in most municipalities. Municipal waste management is no exception.

#waste management

#advice

#war

#internally displaced persons

12.10.2022

U-LEAD experts explained the procedure for changing the toponyms to the municipalities of the Ukrainian South

Considering the historical situation in which Ukrainian society finds itself today, municipality representatives often face the issue of changing the names of streets, boulevards, squares and other toponyms.

#advice

#legal issues

28.09.2022

Land lease e-contract. How does the lessor — the local council — work with this tool?

A U-LEAD expert Andrii Pohorilyi examines closely the process of executing a contract of land lease from the perspective of the lessor, i.e. a local self-government body.

#advice

#analytics

#land lease

27.09.2022

U-LEAD experts help local self-governments turn abandoned properties into municipal assets

Shelters and temporary housing arranged in sports facilities, schools, municipal care centres as well as dormitories give people fleeing war a roof over their heads. However, they are not suitable for long-term residence. That is why municipalities are looking for opportunities to increase their housing stock.

#advice

#accomodation

#internally displaced persons

16.09.2022

Municipalities of the Dnipropetrovsk region were presented with a road map for work with IDPs

The road map for internally displaced persons is one of the tools to help integrate this population category into the municipality.

#advice

#internally displaced persons

09.09.2022

Safe educational environment: students can change the education format during the school year

Learning during wartime is a challenge for teachers and students. However, creating a safe educational environment is one of the main tasks for those involved in organising the educational process as well as local self-government bodies.

#education

#schools

#advice

08.09.2022

Project management for municipalities during the war: terms and conditions of applications for international support have been changed

U-LEAD continues to provide expert support to municipalities regarding the use of international technical assistance tools. This includes attracting additional resources for infrastructure reconstruction and population support during the war.

#advice

#international support

#project management

12.09.2022

Wartime energy security: municipalities must meet four main targets as they prepare for the heating season

In addition to helping the population prepare for winter and developing a plan to find future resources for heating, there should be actions in place aimed at maximally reducing heat consumption in municipal facilities at minimal costs and providing buildings with alternative energy sources in case of emergencies.

#advice

#heating season

16.11.2021

Surviving Crises at Community Level – U-LEAD Experts’ Tips

Kirovohrad and Dnipropetrovsk oblast community leaders have participated in a workshop Managing Crises at a Community Level held at the facilities of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme Kirovohrad Oblast Regional Office.

#tips

#crises

#workshops

26.10.2021

Organizing Community Development – Zaporizhia Oblast Starosta’s Experience

Organizing the work of starosta and the areas of his or her responsibility were among the issues Iryna Nedobuha, starosta of the Komysh-Zoria Village Council, Zaporizhia oblast, told about at a workshop Organizing the Performance of Oversight Functions by the Starosta, which took place within the framework of a U-LEAD with Europe Programme training course entitled Steps for Starostas 2021.

#tips

#starostas

For legal advice on LSG management during wartime join: