Radyvyliv’s previous charter, adopted back in 2016, remained in force for a long time. However, a number of changes necessitated a complete overhaul. Firstly, the 2020 administrative reform significantly expanded the boundaries of the municipality: following the merger with Buhaivka municipality, the old document no longer covered the new territories or the interests of all residents. Secondly, the new legislation on public governance, which came into force in 2025, has brought about fundamental changes. These factors have made updating the local document not merely a formality, but a necessity of the times.
Serhii Hushcha, a Manager of Affairs of Radyvyliv City Council’s Executive Committee, explains that the update was a necessary step rather than a mere formality:
“In 2020, the municipality underwent changes and was restructured. The old charter failed to address a number of issues of local importance in the newly merged territories. This was the main reason for drafting the new document. We began our work back in 2023, but deliberately held off to wait for changes to the legislation on public governance. Now, all municipalities are legally required to adopt their charters by 2027, but we have decided against postponing the process until then”.
From theory to practice: U-LEAD support
Drafting the charter proved to be a challenging task, so the municipality turned to U-LEAD with Europe for support. The process of putting together the document began with training: Serhii Hushcha took part in the training programme “Development of the Charter of a Municipality”, which U-LEAD held in 2025.
This process subsequently moved into the practical phase, with a series of consultations being held by U-LEAD experts. During these meetings, a draft document was finalised in collaboration with experts. According to Serhii Hushcha, the result is a charter that is both concise and meaningful:
“The charter is not a development strategy; it should not replace other municipal policies. We have made it practical. It sets out clear procedures for holding general meetings of citizens, organising public hearings and submitting online petitions. The document even includes pre-drafted templates for reports and applications, so that residents can easily put these tools into practice”.
Why is the charter important for every resident?
The main objective behind the new charter is to give people practical tools to influence decision-making by the authorities. Now every member of the municipality, whether they live in the central area or in a remote village, has clear guidance on how to make their voice heard.
“The process of developing the document was as transparent as possible. Our draft charter has undergone a successful public consultation phase, and I would like to highlight that no objections were received from residents. For us, this is an indication that the document has been prepared to a high standard and reflects people’s real needs. Naturally, we will only be able to fully assess its effectiveness once it has been put into practice,” said Serhii Hushcha.
The document, as he further explained, sets out principles for transparent engagement between the authorities and residents, as well as specific approaches to involving young people, developing youth policy and implementing modern digital solutions:
“Special focus was given to the ways in which the public can participate. In addition to the mechanisms already provided for by law, our charter enshrines additional democratic instruments. For instance, public consultations. These are already being actively used via our official city council website, and are now clearly regulated in the municipality’s main document”.
Mykhailo Shelep, an Adviser on Decentralisation and Local Self-Government at the Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in Rivne Oblast, commented on the outcomes of the joint efforts with the municipality. The office team provided support to Radyvyliv municipality during the updating process:
“The municipality charter is a key piece of local legislation. Not only does it set out the legal framework for interaction between residents and local self-government bodies, but it also provides practical tools for this purpose. Rather than simply updating this document, Radyvyliv City Council has made it as practical as possible. The adoption of the Charter of Municipality is another step towards greater transparency in municipal authorities that encourages residents to participate in local self-government. We are delighted that the U-LEAD training programme and ongoing expert support have contributed to laying a solid foundation for the development of democratic governance in Radyvyliv municipality”.
