The Swedish-Ukrainian Polaris Programme ‘Support for Multilevel Governance in Ukraine’ (2024–2028) supports the development of multilevel governance, decentralisation processes and Ukraine’s recovery, strengthening the capacity of hromadas on the path to EU accession.

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As part of the ‘Locally Led Recovery’ sphere, the Polaris Programme invites hromadas to become partners. Our aim is to promote the sustainable development of hromadas and regions, foster synergy between local and regional planning, and support European integration processes in Ukraine.

We provide advisory support to hromadas in preparing Development Strategies for 2028–2034, Strategic Environmental Assessments, Action Plans, the identification of projects that respond to the hromadas needs and are aimed at stimulating local development during the war, a Unified Portfolio of Medium-Term Public Investments, and Terms of Reference for the development of a Comprehensive Spatial Development Plan.

The Programme’s experts have extensive experience in strategic and spatial planning at local level and in engaging residents, and will be able to provide such expert support to partner hromadas. The implementation of the partnership will involve bringing in additional professional organisations or external experts.

The ‘Locally Led Recovery’ sphere is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine. The programme plans to work with the selected hromadas for a period of one year.

What support does the ‘Locally Led Recovery’ sphere offer to hromadas?

• Expert review of existing documents and decisions governing strategic and spatial planning for recovery.
• Assessment and strengthening of the capacities of local self-government specialists in the areas of strategic and spatial planning, as well as recovery project implementation.
• Expert and technical support for the preparation of:
  • the Hromadas Development Strategy for 2028–2034;
  • the Strategy Action Plan;
  • the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Strategy;
  • Unified Medium-Term Public Investment Portfolio, and
  • the Terms of Reference for the preparation of the Comprehensive Spatial Development Plan.
• Project identification, development and subsequent implementation in cooperation with NEFCO.
• Training activities for local self-government specialists responsible for the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and updating of the hromadas strategic and spatial planning documents.
• Institutional support, advisory assistance, and guidance in introducing improvements to the hromadas strategic and spatial planning processes.
• Strengthening capacities in geospatial data management through the establishment of data collection, systematization, and updating procedures; training local government specialists in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS); digitization of existing cartographic information; and support for the introduction of modern data management tools.
• Exchange of knowledge, experience, and good practices among the Programme's partner hromadas.

The scope of support will be determined individually for each hromada depending on its existing achievements, initiatives and plans and will be defined in a Memorandum of Cooperation.

The expected outcome of this partnership is strengthened capacity of partner hromadas to collect and manage data, prepare high-quality and implementable strategic and spatial planning documents that incorporate future development scenarios, and effectively plan and implement infrastructure projects. The experience gained by partner hromadas will be documented as good practices and shared with other hromadas to facilitate wider replication and scaling.

The implementation of the activities is expected to last approximately 12 months, from October 2026 to October 2027, depending on the specific circumstances of each hromada. Following the completion of these activities, partner hromadas will continue to have access to expert advice and consultation from the Programme, as needed.

Which hromadas are eligible to apply?

• The hromada is located in one of the following oblasts: Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, or Chernihiv.
• As of 1 January 2026, the hromadas actual population, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), is between 20,000 and 100,000.
• At the time of application, the hromada is located at least 30 kilometres from the state border with the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus and/or at least 100 kilometres from the line of active hostilities. These distances are measured from the administrative centre of the hromada.
• At the time of application, the hromada is not located in a temporarily occupied territory.

Selection Criteria for Partner Hromadas

• Geographic location.
• Actual population (including internally displaced persons).
• The hromadas institutional capacity to develop and implement strategic and spatial planning documents, including previous experience and the availability of relevant professionals (such as an architect, land surveyor, or equivalent specialists) within the local self-government administration.
• Demonstrated motivation to engage in long-term cooperation with the Programme and willingness to implement institutional changes.
• Previous experience in implementing international technical assistance programmes within the hromada.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by the local self-government body of the hromada using the online application form available at the following link.

Applicants are requested to provide all required information, including:

• an official Letter of Motivation issued by the hromada;
• a Letter of Recommendation (in PDF format) from international development projects, the Oblast Military Administration, associations of local self-government bodies, or other relevant partners confirming their experience of cooperation with the hromada.

A preview version of the application form is available at this link.

Applications will be accepted from 7 July 2026 until 24 July 2026.

Online information sessions on the Locally Led Recovery sphere will be held via Zoom on the following dates:

• 14 July 2026, 11:00–12:30
• 21 July 2026, 10:00–11:30

Registration is available via this link (participants may choose their preferred session date).

The selection process will be conducted in three stages according to the following indicative timing:

• 27 July – 7 August: Screening of applications for compliance with the eligibility requirements and assessment of the application form, Motivation Letter, and Letter of Recommendation.
• 10-14 August: Online interviews with the management of hromadas whose applications have successfully passed the initial evaluation based on the selection criteria.
• 17 August – 11 September: Introductory visits by Polaris Programme experts to hromadas identified as potential partner hromadas under the ‘Locally Led Recovery’ sphere, with the aim of verifying hromadas needs and assessing the preconditions for cooperation.

The results of the selection process will be announced on 14–18 September 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact the Programme team at: recovery@polaris.org.ua