The event was chaired by the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Mr. Volodymyr Groysman, and attended by over 50 heads of amalgamated communities, representatives of the Government, incl. Deputy Prime Minister Zubko, First Deputy Minister of Regional Development Nehoda, Deputy Minister of Education Khobzey, Deputy Minister of Finances Kachur, members of parliament, as well as representatives from the Ukrainian local self-government associations and from donor agencies.
Mr. Holger Tausch, Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office Ukraine, was addressing the event on behalf of all donors supporting decentralization reform in Ukraine. Switzerland assumes the responsibility of chairing the Thematic Donor Working Group on Decentralization/Local Governance, Regional Development and Municipal Services. In his speech Mr. Tausch stressed the importance of decentralization and local self-governance reform as one of Ukraine’s key policy endeavors. He stated that the reform has the potential to lay the foundations for a more democratic, prosperous Ukraine with strong municipalities that are capable to provide their citizens with quality public services and to promote local economic development. He informed about the planned areas of technical assistance from donors to the new amalgamated communities in 2016. Last but not least, Mr. Tausch emphasized the need for an inclusive, open and understandable decentralization process, expressing also the hope that decentralization in Ukraine can be a means to bring stability to conflict-affected communities by fostering enhanced state-citizen relations and inclusive decision-making.
The event was broadcasted on the channel RADA, now the video can be watched on YouTube.