The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted draft law No. 10284 as a whole. It applies to those directly involved in attracting international aid for the restoration and development of Ukrainian communities.

Until recently, local governments were stuck in a trap: to participate in grant programmes run by the EU and donor organisations, they needed specialists in project management and knowledge of foreign languages, yet it was extremely difficult to provide them with decent pay from local budgets. This led to communities losing skilled staff (people moved to the private sector or abroad), and with them, opportunities to attract investment and undertake post-war reconstruction.

The newly adopted law changes this situation. Now, local government officials and civil servants involved in preparing applications, conducting negotiations, and reporting on international projects will be able to receive additional payments for the extra workload directly from the project budget itself (funds from the EU, foreign governments, or donors). This will not place any additional burden on local budgets or the state treasury – on the contrary, it will help to motivate those who bring resources to their communities.

One of the authors of the proposal, Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Aliksiichuk, wrote on his social media page:

‘The law will enable local governments to recruit specialists with expertise in project management and fluency in foreign languages, whilst paying them appropriate remuneration from the funds of international programmes and foundations. This is an important step towards strengthening the capacity of communities and public institutions to work on international projects, grants, and cross-border cooperation programmes.’

In turn, Ukrainian MP Vitalii Bezgin, who, together with his colleague, worked hard to bring this document to its final stage, stressed:

‘An amazingly important step for international cooperation between communities and regions! Specialists in international projects in local governments who attract investment to their localities will be able to receive bonuses from the funds raised! Better financial remuneration! No additional burden on Ukrainian taxpayers.’

Therefore, the long-term work (the draft law was developed over approximately three years) has succeeded in removing one of the systemic obstacles to European integration at the local level. From now on, communities have a clear legal framework not merely to seek international grants, but to manage them effectively – with motivated professionals.