Action plan – Zviahel, Ukraine, 2025 – 2026

At-a-Glance

Duration

Feb 2027

Date Submitted

25th March 2025

Foreword(s)

The Open Government PartnershipThe Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving government transparency, ensuring opportunities for citizen participation in public matters, and strengthen... More Action Plan was developed in collaboration with representatives from local government, civil society, and active members of the community. This plan reflects our shared commitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action... to fostering transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More, inclusivity, and collaboration as fundamental principles of governance.

Our ambitionAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, OGP commitments should “stretch government practice beyond its current baseline with respect to key areas of open government.” Ambition captures the po... for this plan is to create a local government that is open, accountable, and responsive to the needs of all residents, including youthRecognizing that investing in youth means investing in a better future, OGP participating governments are creating meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in government processes. Technical ... More, veterans, and vulnerable groups. By implementing innovative approaches, strengthening public participationGiving citizens opportunities to provide input into government decision-making leads to more effective governance, improved public service delivery, and more equitable outcomes. Technical specificatio..., and ensuring the inclusivity of decision-making processes, we aim to build a stronger, more cohesive community.

This document is the result of a collective effort that brings together the voices of community members, experts, and stakeholders. We have defined clear goals and commitments to empower residents, strengthen partnerships, and implement sustainable development initiatives. These include creating a Youth Council, supporting veterans, implementing the Inclusive School Public Budget, and establishing a Coordination Council for monitoring progress.

We firmly believe that the success of this plan depends on effective collaboration. Therefore, we are committed to working hand in hand with all stakeholders throughout the implementation and monitoring processes. Together, we will ensure that this plan leads to tangible results and contributes to the overall development and well-being of our community.

Open Government Challenges, Opportunities and Strategic Vision

What is the long-term vision for open government in your context and jurisdiction?

The long-term vision of the Zviahel community is to create transparent and accountable local governance based on citizens’ trust. The community aims to ensure openness, accessibility of information, inclusivity, and active involvement of residents in decision-making processes. Special attention is given to the implementation of innovative tools for citizen engagement and developing partnerships with civil society organizations.

What are the achievements in open government to date (for example, recent open government reforms)?

The Zviahel Community Development Strategy for 2024-2030 was approved. Developed with the participation of government representatives, local residents, civil society organizations, and businesses, alongside experts from the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, the document outlines key tasks in all areas of community life. These include creating conditions for business development, attracting young people, and ensuring a high quality of life for all residents. A Monitoring Committee was established to oversee the Strategy’s implementation.

The Citizens’ Assembly in Zviahel themed “Creating urban spaces as public locations for social interaction and recovery,” was organized by the Zviahel City Council with the expert, methodological, and financial support of the Council of Europe. The topic  was determined at the Stakeholder Forum  through detailed discussion and open voting. This theme was also reflected in the development of the Open Government Action Plan.

60 residents were randomly selected to represent the community’s diverse demographics. Most had no prior experience with public participation tools or similar events.

As a result:

• vision for the community’s urban spaces and an action plan for advocating initiatives was developed;
• setting up of eight initiative groups and one non-governmental organization was proposed. These groups will continue to work on the topic of open government.

What are the current challenges/areas for improvement in open government that the jurisdiction wishes to tackle?

• Insufficient integration of youth and veterans into decision-making processes.
• Ensuring inclusivity in participation processes, especially for vulnerable population groups.
• Expanding the capacity of civil society to collaborate with local authorities.

What are the medium-term open government goals that the government wants to achieve?

• Transformation of the mechanism of the Youth Council Activity at the Zviahel City Council.
• Implementing the Inclusive School Public Budget (SPB-2.0)
• Ensuring the functioning of a veteran space in the community and regular consultations with veterans and their families.
• Activating an information campaign to raise awareness among residents about community initiatives.
• Creating a Coordination Council to monitor the implementation of the Open Government Action Plan.

How does this action plan contribute to achieve the Open Government Strategic Vision?

The Action Plan focuses on enhancing citizen engagement by introducing inclusive mechanisms, digital tools, and public consultations. The implementation of key commitments, such as Transformation of the mechanism of the Youth Council Activity and introducing the “School Public Budget (SPB-2.0),” supports the development of transparent governance and encourages residents to participate in decision-making processes.

How does the open government strategic vision contribute to the accomplishment of the current administration’s overall policy goals?

The vision of open government strengthens the community’s priorities in providing quality services, supporting social protection, and engaging residents in developing strategic plans. This contributes to increasing trust in local authorities, boosting civic activity, and enhancing social cohesion.

Engagement and Coordination in the Open Government Strategic Vision and OGP Action Plan

Please list the lead institutions responsible for the implementation of this OGP action plan.

• Orzhytsia Village Council / Zviahel City Council

What kind of institutional arrangements are in place to coordinate between government agencies and departments to implement the OGP action plan?

A Memorandum of Cooperation

What kind of spaces have you used or created to enable the collaboration between government and civil society in the co-creation and implementation of this action plan? Mention both offline and online spaces.

• Online Platforms: “Stay on topic”, “Communicating with the community” to share updates and gather feedback. Facebook pages to engage with the community.
• Offline Spaces: Face-to-face public meetings to discuss ideas, gather input, and ensure inclusivity. Strategic sessions and consultations to develop and refine the commitments of the Action Plan. Public forums and discussions to foster transparency and strengthen partnerships.

What measures did you take to ensure diversity of representation (including vulnerable or marginalized populations) in these spaces?

We ensured diversity by actively inviting representatives of vulnerable groups, including veterans, youth, and IDPs, to participate in public meetings and consultations. Information was shared on social media platforms like Facebook and Telegram, and updates were posted on the official website. Civil society organizations (CSOs) played a key role in engaging marginalized groups, helping to identify participants, and supporting their involvement in the discussions.

Who participated in these spaces?

• Public organization representatives (including veterans and youth)
• Local activists
• Local government officials
• Experts

How many groups participated in these spaces?

4

How many public-facing meetings were held in the co-creation processCollaboration between government, civil society and other stakeholders (e.g., citizens, academics, private sector) is at the heart of the OGP process. Participating governments must ensure that a dive...?

8

How will government and non-governmental stakeholders continue to collaborate through the implementation of the action plan?

Collaboration will continue through regular meetings of the Coordination Council, which includes representatives from local government and civil society. Joint working sessions, public consultations, and strategic discussions will ensure alignment on priorities and address any challenges. Communication will also be maintained through online platforms, such as social media and the official website, to share updates and gather feedback from stakeholders. Civil society organizations will remain active partners in implementing specific initiatives and engaging the community.

Please describe the independent Monitoring Body you have identified for this plan.

To be determined.

Provide the contact details for the independent monitoring body.

• Iryna HUDZ, Deputy Mayor, [email protected]

What types of activities will you have in place to discuss progress on commitments with stakeholders?

We will organize regular meetings, public forums. Additionally, progress updates will be shared during strategic sessions and through online platforms like social media and the official website to ensure transparency and continuous dialogue.

How will you regularly check in on progress with implementing agencies?

Progress will be monitored through regular meetings of the Coordination Council, where implementing agencies will provide updates and discuss challenges.Reports will be prepared to evaluate progress, and feedback from stakeholders, including civil society organizations, will be gathered through consultations and surveys.

How will you share the results of your monitoring efforts with the public?

The results of monitoring efforts will be shared through multiple channels, including publications on the official website, updates on social media platforms and public meetings or forums.

Endorsement from Non-Governmental Stakeholders

• Larysa SHUTOVA, The Head of NGO “ZVIAHEL CITY ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN””,
• Larysa KAPCHYNSKA, The Head of NGO “SCHOOL NETWORK OF THE CITY”

Approval “Open Government Partnership” Initiative

Commitments:

• Developing a Veterans’ Policy (UAZVL0002)
• Implementing the School Participatory Budget (UAZVL0003)
• Establishing a Coordination Council (UAZVL0004)