As the Director of the Association for Participatory Community Development, effective communication with communities and local governments in Ukraine has become even more critical during the war. Local authorities are now handling greater responsibilities, but their capacities have not yet matched the increased demands. Despite various technical assistance projects and government programs, there is still a long way to go in terms of capacity building.
Our work focuses on three key areas:
1. Civic Engagement – Strengthening participatory practices and ensuring citizens are involved in local governance. Even in challenging times, protecting democratic values remains a top priority for me and my team.
2. Social Cohesion – Empowering community members with leadership opportunities to encourage active involvement in strategic planning and local development.
3. Support for Vulnerable Groups – Through our humanitarian program, we provide education, shelter support, and psychosocial assistance to those in need.
A positive development is the recent growth of our network, with four new communities joining us: Kremenchuk, Gradizhsk, Myrhorod (Poltava region), and Velykopysarivska (Sumy region). This expansion reflects the trust and support we continue to earn in our work.
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