To create a network of Liaison Offices to develop public participation in the newly joined territories, increase public activity and promote the creation and development of CSOs. (UAVNT0004)

Commitment ID

UAVNT0004

Commitment Title

To create a network of Liaison Offices to develop public participation in the newly joined territories, increase public activity and promote the creation and development of CSOs.

Problem

In 2020, 8 Starosta districts joined Vinnytsia City Territorial Community. So far, the community has more than doubled. Accordingly, the number of residents of the community has increased. Therefore, the need to establish quality communication between local authorities and the community has become even more acute. There is a need to inform the public about the tools of public participation that exist in society and operate in them: the budget of budget initiatives, appeals, petitions, public hearings and discussions, the competition for grants for CSOs, and so on. Awareness of the citizens of the annexed territories will give them the opportunity to participate more actively in decision-making related to the development of the territorial community.There is also a need for a space where residents could gather for a variety of events, discussions, and other activities. The activity of the inhabitants of the newly adjacent territories is quite low (there are almost no public organizations). Therefore, the task of the Offices will also be to increase public activity and promote the creation and development of CSOs.

Status quo

"City of Contents" Hub has been successfully operating in Vinnytsia for 4 years. Areas of work of Hub are as follows:

• government-community interaction: public discussions, debates, public consultations, joint working groups, citywide forums and dialogues, etc.;
• civil society development: education, trainings, project competitions, organizational development forum, exchange of experience, consultations, etc.;
• search for global content: lectures, scientific presentations, speeches by public intellectuals, TED events, city screenings.

The City of Contents CSO Network is based on the established CSO Support Center (Hub), which eventually signed a Memorandum of Partnership with Vinnytsia City Council and developed a Partnership Strategy between CSOs and Vinnytsia City Council. "City of Contents" Hub has become and remains a social innovation, as there is no similar experience in Ukraine when the government has equipped a comfortable and modern civil space for civil society, which has become an open platform for dialogue and interaction. In this example, we see that having a space where the public and local authorities can gather helps to establish communication and interaction between them. The vast majority of community residents, especially in newly joined communities, are not aware of the potential for influencing community development through various participatory tools, and have no one to consult with about their own ideas and projects.

Action

Obligation: to create a network of communications (at least 1 office in each Starosta district). Expected results:

• the concept of communications is developed (needs of inhabitants are analyzed and on the basis of this analysis the list of services and functions of post offices is formed);
• places for creation of offices are chosen;
• undergoes training of qualified personnel for work in post offices;
• 3 liaison offices were opened (one in each Starostinsky district);
• the level of activity of residents increases;
• 3 CSOs created;
• at least 15 events are held in each liaison office during the first year of operation.

Overall objective: development of public participation in the newly adjacent territories, increase of public activity of residents and assistance in creation and development of CSOs.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

The establishment of Liaision Offices will give residents of Vinnytsia City Territorial Community the opportunity to get acquainted with the tools of participation and actively use them: submit projects to the Budget of public initiatives, write appeals, petitions, join various discussions and public hearings. It will strengthen public participation in the newly joined territories. The number of civic activists and CSOs that will implement community development projects will increase.

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

The creation of a network of communication offices fully complies with the main strategic document of Vinnytsia City Territorial Community - Strategy 3.0. The commitment of the Action Plan will be guided by increased public participation. The principles of Strategy 3.0 include “Involvement and cooperation - the public is maximally involved in the development of key decisions and their implementation, in particular with the widespread use of various forms of participatory democracy. Active participation of community residents, cooperation of various stakeholders to achieve common goals of the city development contributes to the integration and establishment of Vinnytsia as a strong community. " The development of an open government is also part of the strategic vision of the Partnership Strategy between civil society institutions and Vinnytsia City Council: “CSOs are organizationally capable and institutionally developed, they are professionals and experts in their fields. CSOs are reliable partners of VCC in developing and addressing the needs of the community and its residents. The City Council provides financial, resource and informational support to CSOs to carry out their activities. CSOs and VCC interact systematically, involving CSOs in the development and implementation of local policies, through transparent interaction mechanisms. Interaction is based on equality, transparency, voluntary participation and mutual responsibility."

Primary Policy Area

Civic Space, Inclusion

Primary Sector

Citizenship & Immigration, Justice

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?