Sustained cooperation with the team played a key role in this process. Officials from Slobozhanske Settlement Council got training in multiple areas as part of U-LEAD with Europe projects, such as managing municipal property and land resources, public investments, planning for territorial recovery and international cooperation.
According to the municipality team, the training was not just a formality, but a practical tool used in everyday work. It enabled them to strengthen their core competencies and prepare the team for the implementation of more complex administrative solutions.
“The cooperation between Slobozhanske municipality and U-LEAD sets a good example of how systematic learning helps local self-government teams move from theory to practical administration solutions.
By learning in teams, employees of the Slobozhanske Settlement Council are building a model of local development management that turns project proposals into coordinated solutions that are understandable to both officials and the municipality,” says Olena Tertyshna, Head of the Regional Office in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Public investment: results of training and a systematic approach
The municipality has seen the most tangible effects of its cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe in public investment. Once they had completed the relevant training, Slobozhanske municipality was able to build a new model for managing state and local resources — one that was transparent, structured and results-oriented.
The knowledge gained enabled them to create a separate public investment management sector within the municipal structure, master the entire project life cycle — from conceptualisation to passing the state sectoral assessment — and develop a Unified Project Portfolio for the municipality.
All 54 projects included in the portfolio are integrated into the DREAM digital ecosystem and are in line with the 2023–2027 Municipal Development Strategy, as well as the Comprehensive Recovery Programme for Slobozhanske Municipality, drafted with the assistance of U-LEAD experts.
“Training in public investment management marked a quality breakthrough for the municipality. We have moved from a bunch of ideas to a professionally structured system — with clear logic, financial calculations and an understanding of the social impact of each project. Today, the Unified Project Portfolio is much more than a list of initiatives; it is a strategic planning and fundraising tool that allows the municipality to scale up its development,” says Aliona Chyhryn, the Head of the Economic Development and Public Investment Department of Slobozhanske Settlement Council.
International tools as a continuation of the administrative approach
The next step in developing strategic and investment thinking in the municipality was participation in TIPS4UA, a project that provides training and internships for officials in EU municipalities with a focus on international cooperation. This decision was a logical continuation of the approach established during training and consultations held as part of the cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe.
Through participation in TIPS4UA, the municipality has strengthened its capabilities in financial calculations, risk assessment and long-term planning, as well as its readiness to collaborate with international partners. Special emphasis was placed on developing human capital — project management, language training and sharing practical experiences.
Notably, during an internship at the twin municipality of Ādaži, Latvia, the municipality team gained practical insight into how European municipalities establish cooperation with various departments and work with foundations.
This experience culminated in an agreement on internships for doctors from Slobozhanske at Vaivari National Rehabilitation Centre in Jurmala — a step that will enable EU approaches to rehabilitation and prosthetics to be implemented in the municipality.
“For us, being part of TIPS4UA isn’t just about formal reports; it’s about creating a transparent and reliable resource management system. We are learning not only to implement projects, but also to think strategically, factoring in risks and maintenance costs over a 5–10-year horizon,” says Ivan Kaminskyi, the Head of Slobozhanske Settlement Council. “When a municipality speaks the same language as donors and can show transparent calculations, this greatly increases trust and opens up new opportunities for attracting resources. Ultimately, it is about accountability to our residents, so that everyone can see that public funds are being spent professionally and prudently”.
Cooperation that delivers results
The experience of Slobozhanske municipality proves that systematic cooperation with the U-LEAD with Europe Programme can be a catalyst for bigger administrative changes. Training, expert support, and practical tools helped the municipality both strengthen individual areas and build a comprehensive development model, from planning and public investment to international cooperation.
This approach is what allows municipalities to move from ad hoc decisions to predictable, sustainable development, with people and responsible resource management at its core.
