The President has signed the Law of Ukraine "On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Democracy at the Local Self-Government Level"!
This document has been waiting for his signature for more than seven months, but now it opens a new page in the development of local democracy. UCIPR experts worked on the drafting and then on advocacy within the Ukraine Civil Society Sectoral Support Activity framework.
"In times of peace, democracy is built through elections. In times of war, when this is not possible, alternatives are needed for citizens to be heard.
"The law "On Democracy at the Local Level" offers such tools. From now on, citizens will be able to influence the decisions of local authorities, build trust, and cooperate to rebuild the country", says Maksym Lukyniuk, an expert for the Ukraine Civil Society Sectoral Support Activity, UCIPR.
What does the law change?
- IDPs will have the opportunity to participate in community life on an equal footing with other residents: vote for budget drafts, submit local initiatives, or join public hearings;
- Youth from the age of 14 will have the opportunity to influence decisions not only in the field of youth policy but also in all matters of community life;
- Each community will have its own Charter - a "small Constitution" that will take into account its peculiarities and regulate the forms of communication between local authorities and residents, from public hearings on the restoration of a playground to discussions of local budget expenditures;
- Community heads, council members, and starostas must publicly report their work to residents.
This law not only gives millions of Ukrainians the opportunity to participate actively in developing their communities but also contributes to the fulfillment of Ukraine's European integration commitments.
We are grateful to everyone who supported this critical document, from experts and civil society organizations to MPs.
The material was created within the framework of the Sectoral Support Initiative for Ukraine Civil Society Support Activity implemented by ISAR Ednannia in consortium with UCIPR and the Center for Democracy and Rule of Law thanks to the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development - USAID Ukraine.