U-LEAD with Europe Dynamics #2 (May 2018) - a monthly newsletter of U-LEAD with Europe Programme

1. DYNAMICS
SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INCEPTION
PHASE IS BEING ROLLED OUT
THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE U-LEAD WITH EUROPE PROGRAMME,
ISSUE # 2, MAY 2018
The new energy-efficient ASC of the Polonska AH, serving 43 000 people.
Photo: U-LEAD Archives
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IMPRINT
Feature: How to name the information
system for ASCs
The Interview: Serhiy Yatskovskiy
Decentralisation Dynamics
Success Story: EU funds for tourism
development: new opportunities
for Kamyanka
Voices of U-LEAD with Europe
Responsible for the publication:
U-LEAD with Europe Programme
Bastian Veigel, Kameran Khudur
Editors:
Olena Molodtsova
Roland Hackenberg
Production and distribution:
U-LEAD Monitoring, Visibility and
Knowledge Management Team
On 30 April, the first selection round of the Roll-out Phase was
completed. Out of 246 applications from AHs and small cities
in 22 oblasts, 150 were selected as candidates. The selection
commission consisted of experts on administrative services,
representatives of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, the
Ministry of Regional Development (MinRegion) and the Minis-
try of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT).
Mr. Oleksandr Kamenchuk, the head of the Department of De-
velopment of Administrative Services System of MEDT, and a
member of the selection commission, noted: “Considering the
activities of hromadas, the issue of quality of services is one
of the priorities for the local authorities. However, some AHs
have not fully analysed the available resources and co-financ-
ing opportunities. I’d suggest future participants to pay more
attention to these aspects. Also, AHs whose borders coincide
with those of the rayon should start cooperation with the ray-
on administration as soon as possible.”Creating ASCs in newly
amalgamated hromadas increases the accessibility and effi-
ciency of service delivery at the local level. By supporting the
creation or modernisation of the ASCs, our aim is to show the
tangible benefits the citizens will gain from decentralisation.
Through the ASCs, these changes start.
On 25 April, an energy-efficient administrative service
centre (ASC) created from scratch in four months was
opened in Polonne, Khmelnytsky Oblast. This is the last
of 26 ASCs established within the U-LEAD with Europe
Programmes Inception Phase on Improved Administra-
tive Services Delivery, launched in October 2016 and fi-
nalised in April 2018.
During the Inception Phase, all models of ASC’s operational
organisation that could be effective in Ukraine were tested.
In particular, large and small communities became pilots in
the establishment and modernisation of stationary ASCs,
the mobile office as well as remote workplaces.
On 16-17 April, a two-day conference on completion of
the Inception Phase was held in Kyiv. It was attended by
more than 100 representatives of pilot amalgamated hro-
madas(AHs) and experts on municipal services from 24
oblasts of Ukraine. At the event, the experts discussed
and summed up how the tested approaches could be im-
plemented more extensively during the next stage - the
Roll-out Phase, which aims at supporting the establish-
ment or modernisation of up to 600 ASCs.
CONTRIBUTING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF MULTI-LEVEL GOVERNANCE THAT
IS TRANSPARENT, ACCOUNTABLE
AND RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS
OF THE POPULATION
SUCCESS STORY
EU FUNDS FOR TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT:
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
FOR KAMYANKA
DECENTRALISATION
DYNAMICS
The town of Kamyanka in the Cherkasy Oblast is known for its attractive
natural sites. Located in the Kamyanska amalgamated hromada (AH), the
Tyasmyn Canyon is one of the most unique landmarks in Ukraine. However,
the absence of high quality roads and lack of relevant infrastructure thwarted
further tourism development in this area.
That was why the Cherkasy Local Government Development Centre (LGDC),
established with the support of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, stepped
in to help the hromada in analysing opportunities and the impact of tourism
sector development. The analysis helped to identify a set of actions to unlock
the potential of tourism.
As a result, the hromada leadership developed a project envisaging the moderni-
sation of the Kamyanka State Historical and Cultural Reserve, the creation of en-
trancesandapproachestotheTyasmynCanyon,thearrangementofthreewellsat
the site of natural springs, a coastal zone, pedestrian paths, observation grounds,
stairs, as well as places for swimming and leisure.
In March 2018, the project succeeded in its application to the competition
for funding totaling UAH 7.3 million. The project will be funded through an EU
sectoral support.
“A year ago, we renovated the centre of Kamyanka and started a road construc-
tion to the Tyasmyn Canyon at the expense of the hromada,” said Volodymyr Toron,
Mayor of Kamyanka. “This year we will spend the money allocated by the EU to
renovate the territory around the Tyasmyn Canyon, including vehicle access points,
sidewalks, sightseeing platforms, lights, boathouses, stairs and swimming spots”.
Thehromadaleadershipbelievesthattourismwillbecomeadriveroflocalgrowth,
asitopensnewbusinessandemploymentopportunities. Besides,estimatesfore-
cast tourism will bring an additional UAH 3 million in revenues to the local budget.
According to Hryhoriy Pererva, Regional Development Adviser of the Cherkasy
LGDC, this project is a positive example that will open opportunities for ambitious
tourism development and will boost the well-being of local residents.
However, the Kamyanska AH is not going to concentrate exclusively on tourism
development, as it also plans to attract private funds in other sectors. The first
successfulexampleofthistodate:NorwegiancompanyScatecSolarwillbuild25
MW solar power plant in the town of Kamyanka.
REFORM MONITORING:
HROMADAS ADVANCE THE COLLABORATION
According to the monthly monitoring of the decentralization process
by the Ministry of Regional Development, the dynamics of communi-
ties’amalgamation continues. As of 10 May 2018, 3 399 territorial com-
munitiesamalgamatedin731AHs,coveringmorethan30%ofthebasic
local Councils. In addition, out of 746 Administrative Service Centres,
71 are located in the newly amalgamated hromadas.
The level of cooperation between the hromadas is also increasing, as
they see the advantages of jointly solving problems. In March, 112 ter-
ritorial communities used an instrument of inter-municipal coopera-
tion, and 29 signed agreements to begin such cooperation. In total, 726
communities actively collaborate in various fields. The Poltava Oblast,
where about 300 communities united efforts in the areas of housing
and communal services, fire safety, education, and health, remains the
leader in intermunicipal cooperation.
PRESIDENT SIGNED LAW
ON ACCESSION OF HROMADAS
TO CITIES OF OBLAST SIGNIFICANCE
On 4th
May, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko signed the
Law on Voluntary Accession of Hromadas to Cities of Oblast
Significance (draft law No 6466).
The law allows cities of oblast significance to unite neighbouring
village and settlement councils around them and become the cen-
tre of an amalgamated hromada without unnecessary bureaucratic
procedures and elections.
The final provisions of the law state that it enters into force
on 1 May 2018.
DURING 4 MONTHS OF 2018, LOCAL
BUDGETS GREW UP TO UAH 69.2 BILLION, -
HENNADII ZUBKO
During January-April 2018, local budget revenues increased up to
UAH 69.2 billion. Surplus in revenues to the corresponding period of
the last year made up 23% or UAH 13 billion.
The growth of development budgets, as compared to the same pe-
riod last year, was observed in all regions of Ukraine: from UAH 141
millionintheLuhanskOblast,toUAH1.4billionintheDnipropetrovsk
Oblast. The budget of the city of Kyiv has increased by UAH 2 billion,
as announced by Hennadii Zubko, Vice Prime Minister – Minister of
Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Ser-
vices of Ukraine. According to him, the greatest increase is reached
on personal income tax and single tax, in particular: 27.1% or UAH
8.5 billion increase in personal income tax, and 28.7% or UAH 2.1
billion increase in single tax.
INTERVIEW WITH SERHIY YATSKOVSKYI,
DIRECTOR OF THE KHMELNYTSKY LOCAL
GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (LGDC)
It was the year of development and institutional strengthening for our re-
gional centre(RC) and the LGDC in general. We managed to fulfill planned
tasks and objectives. The RC has organised several large-scale events,
which not only contributed to establishing new hromadas, but also provid-
ed support to those that already exist. We contributed to establishing 15
new amalgamated hromadas (AHs) in addition to the existing 26 hroma-
das in the Khmelnytsky Oblast. We also organised more than one hundred
training events and 10 study trips for local self-government officials of our
oblast to other oblasts of Ukraine.
However, the statistics above is a small example of our work. In my opinion,
our most important success is the change in perception of the decentrali-
sation reform by state and local self-government officials along with their
confidence in the inevitability of changes. Our main task for the future is
to strengthen local self-government capacity and to implement new obli-
gations resulting from the decentralisation reform which ensure the better
provision of services to AH citizens and foster AH development.
Despite the fact that the reform in our oblast has been implemented quite
successfully and we are among the leaders of decentralisation, there are
still some challenges on this path, which include the resistance of rayon
leadership and of some heads of village councils. The biggest challenge for
the AHs formed is the lack of qualified staff capable and ready to join the
newly formed management teams in AHs.
We had a robust start in 2015. At that time, 22 out of the 159 AHs formed in Ukraine
were in the Khmelnytsky Oblast, almost all quite big and capable. It would not have
happened without the joint efforts of all key stakeholders: the oblast state adminis-
tration, oblast council and hromadas. Furthermore, we had clear rules, a well drafted
perspective plan, a work plan to support the reform implementation, which included
awareness raising activities to explain the reform advantages to the officials and pop-
ulation. All of the mentioned factors, along with the motivation of the LGDC staff, led
to successful results. For the three years of the reform implementation, we have never
lostthedynamicsandalwaysstayedamongtheleadersofamalgamation.I’mperson-
ally proud of the quality of AHs formed: they are all large (considering both territory
and population) and it means they have great chances for further development.
Questions prepared by: Karen Madoian, U-LEAD visibility team
It’s been a year since the opening of the LGDC in the Khmelnytsky
Oblast. How would you evaluate your work since then?
What are the main achievements and challenges?Q: The Khmelnytsky Oblast is among
the leaders regarding the number of AHs.
How do you explain such dynamics?Q:
Support to hromadas on their way to amalgamation remains our priority for 2018 along
with the capacity building for officials working in hromadas and increasing visibility and
raising awareness among citizens about the achievements of the decentralisation re-
form. In 2018, we also plan to organise a national educational conference dedicated to
education system management in AHs within the context of the New Ukrainian School
Conceptandautonomisationofeducationalfacilities.WealsointendtoholdtheSecond
Regional Development Forum to focus on intermunicipal cooperation in AHs, as well as
to boost cooperation between hromadas and deputies of rayon and oblast councils.
Tell us about the priority areas
of activity of the Khmelnytsky
LGDC in 2018.Q:
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union and its member states Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Poland and Sweden. The contents of this publication
are the sole responsibility of its authors and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union and its member states Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Poland and Sweden.
© U-LEAD with Europe, 2018
THE U-LEAD WITH EUROPE INTERVIEW
U-LEAD VOICES
Websites: u-lead.org.ua, decentralisation.gov.ua
Facebook: facebook.com/ULEADwithEurope
Address: House of Decentralisation,
20 Velyka Zhytomyrska Street (4th floor), Kyiv 01001, Ukraine
Phone: (+380 44) 581 27 99
Email: pr@u-lead.org.ua
We see concrete results and changes taking place on the
territories with established amalgamated hromadas. Due
to the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, 24 Local Govern-
ment Development Centres help strengthening skills of
new staff in hromadas; 600 Administrative Service Centres
are being opened.
Hugues Mingarelli,
Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine
I applied for a subsidy service at the ASC and was very
pleased with the fact that I did not need to go to the rayon
to receive this type of service. All the necessary services,
for example birth registration, land registration and many
others are gathered in one place. The employees at the ASC
were very nice and professional.
Kateryna Ivanova,
Head of a kindergarten, Kipti AH
The new ASC is very cozy. Employees provide services with
a smile. I had to correct the information in my passport
regarding the place of residence. The procedure was done
very quickly, without queues.
Olga Dorodnyh,
works in the centre of employment, Mykolayivka AH
I have been working in the field of administrative services de-
livery for more than ten years and I was very impressed with
the approach to education that ASC’s staff have taken within
the Programme. Among the trainings, I want to highlight the
one on business ethics and communication with visitors, as
well as training on gender issues. I learned a lot about com-
municating with visitors and providing quality services.
Tetyana Martyniuk,
Head of the Division for Administrative Services
Delivery of the Executive Committee of Polonne
City Council of AH, the employee of the new ASC
The U-LEAD with Europe Programme is our reliable partner
in implementation of the decentralisation reforms.
Hennadii Zubko,
Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Regional Development,
Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine
European Union is proud to support Amalgamated Hroma-
das in Ukraine by means of establishing new Centres of de-
liveryofAdministrativeServices.ThenewcenterinPolonne
and 600 other centers that the EU will support in future will
promote more transparent, accountable and responsive to
needs of population local authorities in Ukraine.
Janis Aizsalnieks,
Representative of the EU Delegation to Ukraine,
Sector Manager for Decentralisation
The team of the Inception Phase at the last ASC opening.
Photo: U-LEAD Archives
Summary Conference on the results of the Inception Phase.
Photo: U-LEAD Archives
Photo: Tyasmin Canyon (contributed by the Cherkasy LGDC)
FACTS AND FIGURES
ASC MODERNISATION AND ESTABLISHMENT IN FIGURES
INCEPTION PHASE: 26 ASCs IN 14 REGIONS
ROLL-OUT PHASE: 600 ASCs BY 2020
Participants
of the Programme
will be selected
in 4 rounds
The largest
number of candidates was
selected from Vinnytsia and
Ivano-Frankivsk regions
The fewest
candidates were selected
from Kharkiv and
Zakarpattia regions
2nd Round
Announcement –
July 1 (preliminary)
The very first
mobile ASC
in Ukraine
The most energy
efficient ASC in Ukraine
created from scratch
The very first passport-
issuing equipment in
an AH in Ukraine
We are pioneers:
100000Number of services provided
(Sept 2017 – Apr 2018)
100m2
Average area of an
Inception Phase ASC
100Average number of
services provided in an ATC
246applications
were
submitted
22regions have
patricipated in
the selection
400000Number of people who obtained
access to better services
178Workplaces
were created,
meaning in
average
7Employees
per an ASC
>500Number of people who passed the
training course for ASC’s employees
one year
Average time
of institutional
establishment
4 months
Average time
of renovation
5 months
Average time of
building a new ASC
150candidates have
already been
selected for the
first round
HOW TO NAME THE INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR ASCs
On 26 of April EGOV4UKRAINE team and partners from SKL and State Agency for e-Governance
of Ukraine held a joint brainstorm session to find a name for the information system for ASCs,
implemented within EGOV4UKRAINE project during the next two years.
According to Ms. Mari Pedak, Team Leader of the EGOV4UKRAINE project, a suitable
name facilitates communication between team members, partners, and donors.
“ThenameofTrembita,thedataexchangesystemlaunchedlastyear,isagood
examplehowthenameworksforefficientcommunication.Beforethatname
we had to use very long explanations, now we say just Trembita, and every
stakeholder already knows what we are talking about,” said Mari Pedak.
Referring to Trembita, Mari Pedak told that engaging stakeholders in the
namingprocesshelpstobetterembracethenewtechnologythatshouldfitin
the DNA of the institutions and the state for whom it works. „Trembita system
is based on improved Estonian data exchange platform X-road, but in Ukraine,
it is called Trembita because it is tailor-made for the needs of Ukraine. The aim
of the naming process for the information system is the same – we wish that all
stakeholders and users feel that this system is „our own“, explained Mari Pedak.
According to Anu Vahtra-Hellat, the organizer of the brainstorm, it is always hard
to find a name for an invisible product, that doesn’t even exist yet, by relying only on
the description of it. „We started by counting all features and specifications associated with the
informationsystemdescriptiontofigureoutwhatemotionsitgivestotheusers–theadministrators
of the ASCs. After that we searched for objects carrying the same features. It was amazing how
creative our IT-experts were! They offered dozens of names – starting with flowers and ending with
ethnographic instruments,“ said Anu Vahtra-Hellat.
The initial brainstorm for naming administrative service centres information system resulted in 100 different names. For
the second step, all participants marked their favorites. Still, there were too many options! To reduce the list, an evaluation that
measured all names from communicative aspects and took into account all product names of competitors that are already available in
the market was conducted. „Our aim is to differ and communicate it also by name, “ said Mari Pedak.
10 best options, which rose through the evaluation, are now being discussed with stakeholders. The new name the information
system for ASCs will be revealed in June.
Participants of
the brainstorming
session.
Photo: U-LEAD
archives
Participants of the
brainstorming session.
Photo: U-LEAD archives
THE FEATURE
PROJECT MANAGER OF THE U-LEAD WITH
EUROPE PROGRAMME’S SUPPORT TO IMPROVED
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE DELIVERY
SUSANNA DELLANS
MOVING
TOGETHER
TO NEW
ACHIEVEMENTS
U-LEAD IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The activities of the U-LEAD with Europe Pro-
gramme are only gaining the momentum. In the
second edition of our digest we continue to con-
vey all the key news of the decentralisation pro-
cess in Ukraine. The second issue of “Dynamics”
coincided with the start of the second phase for
our team, responsible for improvement of admin-
istrative services delivery to the population, in
particular for the establishment and modernisa-
tion of the ASCs. This is a very important stage,
as the strengthening of the amalgamated hrom-
adas’ institutional capacity ensure their sustain-
able development and residents’ trust in local au-
thorities. We wish for every citizen, irrespective of
gender, age, eligion or social status to have the ac-
cess to administrative services in a comfortable
place where friendly atmosphere prevails and all
procedures are efficient and transparent.
We also hope that the ASCs become not only a
place to receive administrative services, but also
a platform for building local democracy and inclu-
sion of residents to policy-making processes at
the local level.
Thanks to the work of the regional Local Govern-
ment Development Centres supported by U-LEAD,
we have strong support and expert assistance on
a daily basis in all the regions where we work. In
this issue, you will find an interview with Serhiy
Yatskovskyi, Director of the Khmelnytsky Local
Government Development Centre, as well as the
success story of the Kamyanska AH, which cer-
tanly inspires every decentralisation practitioner
to advance efforts improving the living standards
of the citizens and strengthening the influence
and accountability of local authorities.
One of the key principles of success for Ukraine
now is partnership and mutually beneficial rela-
tions, avoiding excessive regulation and vertical-
ly oriented structures. Our activities comply with
these approach. I take this opportunity to thank
all the partners who worked with us in 2016-2018
in Ukraine and invite everyone to get acquainted
with the second issue of Dynamics.
STRASBOURG
SUPERVISION OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES DISCUSSED IN STRASBOURG
Together with the Council of Europe, the U-LEAD with Europe Programme organised a “Meet-
ing on the supervision of local authorities’ acts” in Strasbourg. On 24 April, it brought to-
gether the most relevant stakeholders for developing a concept of such supervision, based
on the European Charter of Local Self-government. The event was attended by the Special
Envoy of the German Government for the Ukrainian reform agenda Georg Milbradt, GIZ Pro-
gramme Director of U-LEAD with Europe Bastian Veigel, and Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister
Hennadii Zubko, who stressed that the successful experience of the decentralisation reform
in Ukraine will be used for the preparation of the autumn session of the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly. “We have something to say because decentralisation is one of the
most successful reforms. Thanks for the systematic support!” - Mr Zubko emphasised.
ZAPORIZHZHIA
AMBASSADOR MINGARELLI MET HEADS OF HROMADAS
“The decentralisation reform is the most successful one in Ukraine,” said Hugues Mingarelli,
Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, at a roundtable held with heads of several amalgam-
ated hromadas at the Zaporizhzhia Local Government Development Centre (LGDC) on 25
April. “We see concrete results and changes taking place on the territories with established
hromadas,” he underlined, adding that, thanks to the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, 24
LGDCs provide training to strengthen skills of new staff in hromadas and up to 600 Adminis-
trative Service Centres (ASCs) to be opened with U-LEAD’s support. Ambassador Mingarelli
told the leaders of hromadas: “Stand together to speak with one voice when there is a need
for legislative solution to your problems. We will continue to support you.”
KYIV
DANISH MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT LEARNED
ABOUT U-LEAD WITH EUROPE
On 24 April, five members of Denmark’s parliament, the Danish Ambassador to Ukraine
and Danish diplomats visited U-LEAD’s office to learn more about this multi-donor action,
to which their country contributes. Nick Hækkerup, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Commit-
tee, Martin Lidegaard, Marie Krarup, Christian Juhl and Carsten Bach, as well as Den-
mark’s Ambassador to Ukraine Ruben Madsen and the Deputy Head of Mission Anne
Toft Sørensen met the two U-LEAD Programme Directors, Bastian Veigel and Kameran
Khudur, who briefed the Danish guests on the current status of the decentralisation re-
form, as well as U-LEAD’s plans, activities and achievements.
KYIV
STEERING COMMITTEE REVIEWED U-LEAD’S TOP ACTIVITIES
A meeting of U-LEAD’s Steering Committee (SC) which comprises representatives of
MinRegion and the Programme’s donors was held on 24 April. At the event, GIZ Annual
Report and Sida Bi-Annual Report were presented to the participants.
Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Com-
munal Services of Ukraine, SC Chair Hennadii Zubko highlighted the importance of align-
ment of the plans and priorities that have been set-up by the Programme for 2018 with
Ukrainian Government priorities and MinRegion’s plans. He named further amalgamation
process and capacity development the top priorities for 2018. SC Chair Berend de Groot,
Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, said that U-LEAD with Europe is a
well recognized programme in the country and routinely scores highest in media coverage.
He called for further integration of all U-LEAD’s components and greater consideration of
sector dimensions, namely in healthcare and education, involving Ukraine’s line ministries.
The event was also attended by the representatives of donor organizations, including the EU
Delegation to Ukraine, Embassy of Denmark, Embassy of Poland and Embassy of Sweden.
KYIV
CONTEST FOR ASCs TO PILOT THE INFORMATION SYSTEM
The State Agency for E-Governance of Ukraine and EGOV4UKRAINE advertised a call
for expres­sion of interest to find 10 ACSs for piloting the information system developed
under the U-LEAD with Europe project EGOV4UKRAINE. The deadline for submission of
expression of interest was set to 16 May 2018, and by 5 June 2018 EGOV4UKRAINE will
select 10 ASCs, where the new IT system will be piloted until October 2018. The IT sys-
tem will be installed and run in small ASCs throughout Ukraine during next 2 years.
The information system will increase accessibility and quality of administrative ser­
vices, reduce the cost of processing documents, ensure uninterrupted electronic
document management and give access to government databases. It is expected
that the information system will speed up the work of ASC administrators tenfold.
More information about the system and contest are available on the web-page of
the State Agency for E-Governance of Ukraine.