The issue concerns accession of the village of Zabolottya to the neighbouring city of Varash. Such proposal was initiated by Zhabolottya village head Roman Khondok, who issued a corresponding resolution on May 21.

According to the Rivne Local Government Development Centre, established with the support of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme and MinRegion, this proposal has yet to undergo a public discussion among the villagers, after which it will be submitted to the village council for consideration.

Thus, the Zabolottya village hromada became the first hromada in the Rivne Oblast to decide to benefit from the recent changes in legislation. This is the law that equated the cities of oblast importance to capable amalgamated hromadas for the accession procedure. Thus, they and the neighbouring villages were able to form an AH under a shortened procedure and without elections.

Read more about amalgamation and accession of hromadas HERE