When a country is at war, safety is no longer just a concern for the law enforcement agencies. It becomes a part of everyday life and requires a systemic approach on the ground. The urban municipality of Berezhany, Ternopil Oblast, understands this well. Over several years, a comprehensive security model has been developed here, covering schools, kindergartens, institutions, streets and residents themselves. But most importantly, this model began with a small but important step: participation in the programme offered by U-LEAD with Europe.
It all started with training
In 2023, the municipality joined U-LEAD’s initiative “Development of the Municipal Safety Environment Programme”. Out of more than 100 applicants, it was among 24 municipalities selected to undergo an intensive training programme. As part of the programme, Berezhany received methodological support, expert guidance and practical tools, as well as developed a Municipal Safety Environment Programme for 2024–2026.
“While participating in the experience exchange network, the municipality received methodological support from the Programme to develop its own Safety Environment Programme. It was already clear during the training that Berezhany team was highly motivated, seeking to protect children in schools as well as build effective communication between all the security actors. This approach continues today, with participation in training programmes, including those on municipal resilience as part of the national security system. This is especially important under the current circumstances. The experience of Berezhany is a great example for other municipalities of how safety can become a real priority,” says Viacheslav Nevinchanyi, an Adviser on Municipal Management and Recovery at the Regional Office of ULEAD with Europe in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
From vision to solutions
After developing the Programme, the municipality set up a Working Group on Safety involving police officers, the State Emergency Service, educators, the parent community and NGOs. The efforts were coordinated, clear and consistent. A special focus was on education, since that is where safety challenges first appear.
The municipality has four Security Classes, i.e. spaces for emergency drills. 97% of schools have bomb shelters. Alarm systems, panic buttons, video surveillance and fire alarms have been installed. Educational safety officers have been operating in two schools in the municipality since January 2025.
Each year, over 300 events involve students, teachers and parents: fire, mine, gender and cyber safety training, evacuation training, civil defence days, meetings with police officers and rescuers, career guidance with the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centre and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
“Through hard work in the municipality, we have established cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe, actively participate in training programmes, implement the Safety Environment Programme and share our practices. This is daily, consistent work for the safety of our children and the entire municipality,” says Halyna Mykhalchuk, the Chief Educational Environment Safety Officer in the Department for Military Accounting, Mobilisation Efforts and Civil Defence of Berezhany City Council.
Developing resilience next
At the same time, the municipality is building resilience to crises, which is another area supported by the Programme. Participation in the training course “Steps for Specialists” enabled them to develop tools for critical infrastructure management, crisis communication and emergency planning.
Guidelines are being developed, training sessions are being held, evacuation committees have been set up, a civil protection facility register is being maintained, and cooperation with NGOs and volunteers has been established. The “Safe Environment of Berezhany Municipality” page on Facebook has been an open channel for communication with the public and a space for sharing best practices.
“Berezhany municipality has shown a keen interest in developing and constantly improving their governance approaches. Municipal officials are actively involved in the training programmes offered by U-LEAD with Europe. Importantly, they successfully implement the acquired knowledge into everyday practice.
We are already seeing positive changes as specific initiatives are being implemented, service quality is improving and dialogue with the residents is becoming more effective. The municipality has built a professional and motivated team that transparently cooperates with partners, donors, businesses and civil society. In addition to responding to challenges, this approach allows us to implement new initiatives, including safety-related ones,” says Nataliia Onyshchuk, the Head of the Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in Ternopil Oblast.
When safety is about shared responsibility rather than instructions
Rostyslav Bortnyk, the Mayor of Berezhany municipality, emphasises that cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe helps them to respond to challenges as well as foster an environment in which safety becomes a shared responsibility of the entire municipality. This is especially important in wartime, when the quality of everyone’s life depends on coordinated actions.
“Thanks to the professional experts of U-LEAD with Europe, their effective informational sessions, consultations, training and capacity-building activities, our specialists are learning to find solutions to adapt to modern challenges and implement them in practice. That means we now have some efficient ways to build a safety environment in the municipality, especially for the youngest residents of Berezhany. Now they will be aware of the steps to follow in various emergency situations from an early age, know about dangerous trends among the youth, understand how to call emergency services to save their lives and help others. After all, every child’ we save is the future of Ukraine,” states Rostyslav Bortnyk.
The case of Berezhany proves that safety is not some document, a one-time event or the scope of responsibility of one institution. It is the result of joint, long-term and conscious efforts of the entire municipality. With the support of U-LEAD with Europe, the municipality was able to build their system and bring it to the level of daily practice. This is an experience worth following.
