Action plan – Orzhytsia, Ukraine, 2025 – 2026

At-a-Glance

Duration

Dec 2026

Date Submitted

20th February 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 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 Orzhytsia 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 Orzhytsia community actively uses public consultations to address local issues, including discussions on the candidacies of 3 village elders (starosta), renaming streets, and optimizing schools.

Successfully held a strategic session to develop the Community Development Strategy until 2027.

Actively cooperates with civil society organizations, with successful project implementations, such as:

• The social cohesion hub “Wings of Hope of Orzhychchyna.”
• Acquisition of equipment for municipal enterprises with the support of the German government.
• Implementing projects through regional initiatives such as “Environmental Initiatives of Poltava Region.”
• The community is participating in a pilot project of the Ministry of Social Policy to provide psychological assistance to military personnel, veterans, and their families, support internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups of the community, and promote volunteer activities.

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?

• Establishing a Youth Council under the Orzhytsia Village Council.
• Implementing the “School Public Budget” mechanism as a tool for active youth engagement.
• 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 achieving 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 creating a Youth Council and introducing the “School Public Budget,” 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: Telegram channels (“Orzhytsia Village Council” and “Ask the Mayor”) to share updates and gather feedback. Facebook pages to engage with the community. The official Orzhytsia Village Council website includes features such as “Electronic Petitions”.
• 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.

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

We will organize regular meetings and 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

Action Plan Zviahel & Orzhytsia

Commitments:

• Youth Development (UAORZ0004)
• Developing a Veteran’s Policy (UAORZ0007)
• Implementing the School Public Budget (UAORZ0008)
• Establishing a Coordination Council (UAORZ0009)