On 28 November, a new ASC was opened in the town of Hlobyne in Poltava oblast. Established with the involvement of Ukrainian and Swedish experts, the Centre will offer over 100 administrative services, including the most in-demand services among the community residents, such as registration of residents, notary services, social security and pension services, land utilisation, real estate and business registration.

It should be noted that the premises renovation was carried out by the local community independently.U-LEAD with Europe Programme assisted the local community in establishing the ASC as well as furnishing the Centre and setting up modern office equipment with specialised software. The Hlobyno ASC is a great example of effective partnership between the local community and international donor programme. The ASC opening provided access to high quality services for 16 000 local residents.

Susanna Dellans, U-LEAD with Europe Inception Phase Project Manager said: “We are happy that the Swedish experience of delivering convenient and accessible administrative services was considered in the process of establishment of the new ASC in Hlobyno community.We hope that the new ASC will make living in the community more comfortable and will contribute to the socio-economic development of the region. I am grateful to the community residents for their significant contribution and proactive position.”

Stanislav Dzhus, the Mayor of Hlobyno, expressed his gratitude to U-LEAD with Europe Programme: “Thanks to cooperation with the Programmeour community was able to open a modern and convenient ASC where residents can receive high quality services. In addition, educational trainings offered by U-LEAD with Europe helped the ASC staff to improve their qualifications and learn the best practices of administrative services provision.I am confident that our community will demonstrate great results and we will continue our fruitful cooperation.”

Prior to the ASC opening, an awareness-raising campaign was conducted to help localresidents 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 accessible 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 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.