Over 30 community leaders from 11 regions of Ukraine discussed strategies and explored new anti-corruption tools during an event organized by the USAID HOVERLA Activity and the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP). Mayors demanded such an event for building transparency and accountability at the local level.

The event featured a facilitated session on the role of integrity, a workshop on transparent and effective interaction between authorities and the community, and more. Participants tackled real-life cases in their communities, sharing observations, challenges, and successful practices.

Speakers included Deputy Head of NACP Oleksandr Starodubtsev, NACP representatives Iryna Chahovets, Nadiia Kovalska, Vitalii Diakiv, and the USAID HOVERLA Activity team members — Deputy Chief of Party Marian Yukich, Citizen Engagement Component team Anatolii Levchuk, Viktoria Orysiuk, Kyrylo Sydorchuk, and Oksana Ivasiiv.

Ivan Kolomiichuk, Vradiivka Deputy Mayor (Mykolaiv Oblast), shared that he first learned about the concept of “integrity” and the components of corruption during the training:

"I received a lot of information about the first steps to building integrity in the community. We will start by involving the public in decision-making. We plan to broadcast sessions and committee work in video format and accept petitions to become more open to residents."

Vyacheslav Polishchuk, Rozhyshche Mayor (Volyn Oblast), shared key insights from the event:

"We took a useful test to determine the maturity level of our community's integrity system to form a clear action plan in this direction. We understood which regulatory legal acts need to be developed and plan to present an integrity guide in the community. I also liked the idea of holding a roundtable with the team to determine how each thinks and analyzes, identify strengths and development areas, and discuss visions for resolving various situations."

Some community leaders expressed their desire to sign the Declaration on Building Integrity in Local Government Bodies with NACP, develop and adopt an anti-corruption program, introduce a separate position for an anti-corruption commissioner, and implement participatory budgeting with the support of the USAID HOVERLA Activity. They also aim to master new formats of interaction with the public to work effectively with distrust and negativity. The discussion outcomes will form the basis for future activities of the USAID HOVERLA Activity.

The USAID HOVERLA Activity supports the Ministry of Restoration’s efforts to enhance the integrity and efficiency of local government operations.