U-LEAD with Europe

✨ «Direct Anti-Corruption Action» Practicum: 39 Specialists Completed Training and Received Certificates   On October 30-31, the Two-Day Practicum «Direct Anti-Corruption Action» concluded in Kyiv, gathering Anti-Corruption Officers from local governments, central government bodies, and state enterprises across Ukraine. The event, designed to enhance the skills of anti-corruption specialists, provided comprehensive support to participants, from expert and administrative guidance to accommodation and materials.   🗣️ «We have a broad range of anti-corruption tools, but it is essential to have people on the ground who know how to apply them and implement them in real life», said Iryna Tymchenko, Head of the Department for Professional Development of Anti-Corruption Officers at the NACP.   Experts from ACREC Sofiia Sapihura and Hanna Horbenko outlined the process of creating an anti-corruption program that considers each community's unique aspects and is based on risk analysis results. Practicum participants familiarized themselves with effective tools for identifying and eliminating conflicts of interest, which are essential for fostering public trust in local authorities.   🤝 The Practicum is designed and delivered in cooperation with RMTeam International and interdisciplinary Research and Educational Center for Anti-Corruption (ACREC) with the support of U-LEAD in the frame of House of Integrity Project.  

📢 We are excited to invite you to the Roadmap to a NEB Academy Hub in Ukraine Network and Outreach Conference on 8 November in Brussels, with online streaming options available! As part of the Rebuilding a Better Ukraine via the New European Bauhaus Academy initiative, implemented by InnoRenew and supported by U-LEAD, the event will bring together stakeholders from Ukraine and EU countries for a joint discussion on the future of sustainable construction in Ukraine in the NEB spirit. Key Highlights: 1. Application of NEB principles for Ukraine’s sustainable reconstruction. 2. Challenges and opportunities in establishing NEB Academy Hub(s) in Ukraine. 3. Establishing cooperation between experts and specialists in the field of construction from Ukraine and EU member states. 🗣️ Language: English (web streaming available in both English and Ukrainian) 🔗 Registration: https://bit.ly/3AfoGjl (Deadline: 6 November)   We look forward to seeing you there!

✨ The cooperation between the SSST and the House of Integrity team continues to strengthen the professional community of the Service! For the first time in history, 250 inspectors from all over Ukraine, as well as the Service's chief staff, gathered to discuss the social value of transport safety control, successes in building a culture of integrity, the image of an inspector, and the evolution of legal aspects of state supervision (control). 🙌 The uniqueness of such an event is the development of horizontal connections between professionals from different territories, highlighting the uniqueness of challenges in each region, and visualising commonalities between them. As participants stated, it was the personal contact in the professional community and the opportunity for an in-depth dialogue about the future of the Service with their leaders at all levels that became the greatest value they would ‘take with them back home’. The House of Integrity project is implemented by RMTeam International in Ukraine with the support of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme.

👩💼💪 The U-LEAD with Europe Programme has launched a pilot project to support women leaders from Chernihiv and Sumy Oblasts by providing them with practical tools to combat stress! 🧠 Trainings, consultations with psychologists and training in stress management skills help municipality leaders to effectively counteract the constant psychological stress, which is especially relevant in the frontline regions. 👩💻 The municipality leaders shared that participation in the project helped them to better understand their own emotions and communicate more effectively. “We now have a better understanding of how to stay calm and support our employees in difficult circumstances,” says one of the participants. Learn more about the project in our article: https://lnkd.in/dQZU8Tyt

Nataliia Zvoryhina is an example of the resilience and strength of a woman who not only headed one of the oldest newspapers in Ukraine, but also managed to survive in the male-dominated world of management. Her path was not easy: she faced persecution, lawsuits, and lack of support. But instead of giving up, she found support and new opportunities at the U-LEAD with Europe Women's Leadership School. 🌱 The school helped Natalia and other women gain the confidence and skills necessary for leadership. 💼 Women have the right to be heard on an equal footing, and such programs help them pave the way for success despite stereotypes and challenges. 📽️ Watch the video about Natalia's story and learn more about her story! Website version: https://lnkd.in/dqKN_Q8K

🌍 On October 3-4, Lviv hosts the Forum “Financial Resilience and Economic Development of Municipalities”, organized by Lviv City Council within the framework of the Ukrainian Resilience Week with the support of U-LEAD with Europe Programme! The main goal was to discuss ways to strengthen the financial basis of municipalities, stimulate their economic development and look for European practices to attract investment. Some of the key points of the discussion are: 1. Overview of the economic situation and challenges faced by municipalities due to the consequences of the war. 2. Features of the budget process in 2025. 3. Financial and credit instruments for municipalities. 4. Implementation of EU principles on internal financial control and audit, which is an important stage of European integration for local governments. Asier Santillán, Head of the Good Governance and Rule of Law Section at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, said: “The war adds new challenges that require decisive action for the recovery and development of municipalities. The European Union is committed to supporting Ukraine in the future, and within the framework of U-LEAD with Europe we will continue to provide the necessary expert support and develop capacities to strengthen local self-government in accordance with the principles of good multi-level governance and subsidiarity.” 🤝 The event brought together about 200 participants, including representatives of Ukrainian and international financial institutions, experts, the Government, the Verkhovna Rada and local self-government.

🇩🇪 Happy Germany Unity Day! 🎉 Today, we join in celebrating German Unity Day, commemorating the official reunification of Germany on October 3, 1990. This historic moment marked the end of decades of division, symbolizing hope, freedom, and the unification of a nation. As we remember this significant milestone in European history, we reflect on the power of unity, solidarity, and shared values. Germany’s peaceful reunification not only reshaped the country but also strengthened the European Union’s commitment to peace, cooperation, and prosperity. On this special day, let us celebrate the enduring partnership between Germany and Ukraine, working together for a better and united future in Europe.

🇺🇦 Happy Ukraine Defenders Day! Today, we honor the courage and dedication of those who protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and the well-being of our municipalities. Their selflessness ensures the safety of not only our nation but also every hromada, where people live, work, and build a better future. The whole U-LEAD with Europe's team extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the defenders of Ukraine and to the local leaders who continue to work tirelessly for the prosperity and safety of their municipalities! Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes! 💙💛

The municipalities of Lviv Oblast are good examples of international cooperation! Lviv region was visited by the Special Envoy of the German Government to Ukraine for Decentralization, Good Governance and Public Service, Professor Georg Milbradt. The activities of the "Lviv Agglomeration" Association, cooperation between municipalities and the development of international partnerships during the war are the main topics of this working visit. Professor Milbradt, accompanied by the U-LEAD team, met with the executive director of the "Lviv Agglomeration" Association and the mayors of Horodok, Kulykiv, Zhovtantsi, Zolochiv and Zabolottsi. The mayors shared the experience of creating the Association and the peculiarities of cooperation between small villages and a big city. The meeting participants discussed the sources of additional funding during martial law, in particular - funding needed for project activities. Municipal leaders also emphasized the importance of cooperation with international partners - both old ones and those with which partnerships were established already during the war. The German Special Envoy praised the successes of the local municipalities. "The practice of establishing and developing partnerships between the hromadas of Lviv Oblast and the municipalities in the European Union should be spread among the municipalities of other regions of Ukraine, which do not have such partners abroad and do not know how to find them," noted Milbradt. In addition, the Special Envoy of the German Government to Ukraine for Decentralization, Good Governance and Public Service visited the Bibrka municipality, which is part of the "Lviv Agglomeration". The mayor, Roman Hrynus, shared practical examples of attracting funding and the results of cooperation with international partners. Professor Milbradt was particularly interested in the issue of coordination with rayon and oblast authorities, which require additional legislative regulation.

🇺🇦 🇩🇪 The German Government’s Special Envoy met municipalities of Vinnytsia oblast On September 23-24, the Special Envoy of the German Government for Governance and Decentralisation reform, Professor Georg Milbradt, visited Vinnytsia. Accompanied by GIZ-Programme Director of U-LEAD with Europe Bastian Veigel and the Deputy Head of Regional Operations Unit Mykola Siusko, Professor Milbradt met the team of the Vinnytsia Regional office of U-LEAD. During the meeting, the main needs of municipalities in the oblast were discussed, in particular regarding increasing the level of financial capacity, post-war reconstruction and the return of residents from abroad.  Serhii Titarenko, Mayor of Dashiv, and Oksana Troyan, Head of Financial Department of Nemyriv City Council, joined the meeting. They told firsthand about the challenges faced by municipalities under martial law. They also spoke about expectations regarding changes in legislation, which should empower the municipal level. 🤝 🎓The delegation also visited the Bar municipality where the Special Envoy met with the Mayor Volodymyr Savoliuk and the team of the local "Inclusive Resource Center", which supports children with special educational needs. After the meetings, Professor Milbradt emphasized that the development of partnerships between Ukrainian hromadas and municipalities of the European Union countries will contribute to the acceleration of Ukraine's integration into the EU.