Three communities in Kharkiv Region begin work on their charters
As the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research’s sole regional partner in Kharkiv Region, AMI has secured its first community partners. Merefa community, Pisochyn Settlement Council and Vilkhivka Village Council joined the first selection round to develop community charters and public participation mechanisms.
1. How it began
The Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research has operated since 1991 and is among Ukraine’s leading political research centres. Its local democracy project selected partners in Kharkiv, Poltava and Zaporizhzhia regions. Three communities in each region confirmed their readiness to cooperate in the first phase.
AMI coordinates Kharkiv Region, supporting the three councils from needs analysis to adoption of the charter. Legal expert Yana Brusentsova, an AMI team member with over 20 years of local government experience, provides expert guidance.
2. Why communities need a charter
Without a charter, residents formally have rights to petitions, public hearings and local referendums but lack mechanisms for exercising them. A community charter establishes procedures that turn these rights into practical tools. It explains exactly how residents can influence local decisions.
3. Current stage
The first selection phase is complete, partners are confirmed and work is beginning. Selection continues for communities in Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
If your community needs support to develop a charter or participation tools, contact AMI: initiativeslocal@gmail.com, +38 (050) 14 55 244.
This cooperation forms part of the project “Strengthening Local Democracy and Inclusive Resident Participation in Decision-Making in Communities and Regions of Southern and Eastern Ukraine”, implemented by the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research with support from the MATRA Programme of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine.
