One year ago, the Polaris Programme Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine was launched. The Programme is funded by the Government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and implemented by SALAR International.

“We have laid the practical foundations for continuing and scaling up change, based on multilevel partnerships rooted in a shared commitment to Ukraine’s recovery and European progress. At the centre of this effort are the hromadas – they are both the heart and the driving force of Ukrainian democracy,” underlined Susanna Dellans, Polaris Team Leader and SALAR International Representative in Ukraine.

At the local level, Polaris  is working on education development, access to administrative services, strengthening the institution of starostas, engaging residents in decision-making, and supporting veterans’ policy as well as efforts to combat gender-based violence.

At the national level, the Programme is contributing to the development of a subnational finance system, working together with nationwide associations and the Parliament on data-driven decision-making, and fostering professional dialogue with partners in the European Union.

In partnerships with Swedish and European municipalities, these initiatives gain system-wide impact and a long-term perspective.