On 25 October, a modern ASC was opened in the settlement of Novi Strilyshcha in Lviv oblast. Established by Ukrainian and Swedish experts, the Centre will offer 59 administrative services, including the most in-demand services among the community residents.

Development of the new ASC model, refurbishment and renovation of the premises as well as procurement of software was provided in the framework of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme.

The Novi Strilyshcha ASC will employ three full-time staff members who have taken part in the advanced training course developed by U-LEAD experts for the amalgamated territorial community residents. Revenues from the administrative services will be credited to the community budget.

Mariia Gornostai, U-LEAD with Europe’s Support to Improved Administrative Service Delivery, Team Leader in Ukraine, said: “Almost 3000 residents of Novi Strilyshcha amalgamated community gained convenient and high-quality access to the administrative services. The implemented ASC model is flexible and well suited for a small community and its needs. The new ASC provides opportunities for the local residents to receive the most in-demand services in Novi Strilyshcha instead of traveling 35 km to Zhydachev.”

Halyna Kozyar, Chairwoman of the Novi Strilyshcha Settlement Council, thanked the U-LEAD with Europe Programme for its significant contribution in establishing the Administrative Services Centre in the local community and said: “The new ASC will make the lives of our residents a lot more convenient. We hope that our community residents will experience the improvement and benefit from the higher level of administrative services in the nearest future.”

Prior to the ASC opening, an awareness-raising campaign was conducted to help local residents have a better understanding of ASC operations and benefits, as well as the rights and responsibilities of ASC employees and service users.

The ASC is designed under the European standards to ensure access for people with disabilities. There is also an indoor play area for children.

It should be emphasised that 26 ASCs will be opened in Ukrainian amalgamated communities by the end of 2017 within the framework of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme which aims at improving the delivery of local administrative services.

The best practices for creating and improving the delivery of administrative services that are tested and implemented in 26 pilot communities of the inception phase will be applied to all ASCs to be opened or modernised within the next phase of the Programme. That is at least 600 ASCs by the end of 2020.