Public Participation in the Restoration of Regions (UA0103)

In connection with the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, hostilities are taking place in a significant part of the territory of Ukraine, and part of the territory has been temporarily occupied. After their liberation, these territories require rapid reconstruction of destroyed or damaged critical infrastructure, social infrastructure, residential and public facilities, as well as restoration of the local and regional economy, return of internally displaced persons, and creation of safe living conditions for them. On May 12, 2022, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine amended the Law of Ukraine “On Regulating Urban Development Activities,” in pursuance of which the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine issued Resolution No. 1159 of October 14, 2022, approving the procedure for developing, publicly discussing, and approving programs of comprehensive rehabilitation of a region and the territory of a territorial community (part thereof), and for amending such programs. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted Law of Ukraine No. 2389-IX "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on the Principles of State Regional Policy and the Policy of Restoration of Regions and Territories,” dated July 09, 2022, which establishes the basic legal, economic, social, ecological, humanitarian, and organizational principles of the state regional policy as an integral part of the domestic policy of Ukraine and defines the restoration specifics of regions and territories affected by the armed aggression against Ukraine. In pursuance of this Law, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine issued Resolution No. 731 dated July 18, 2023, approving the Procedure for Identifying Recovery Territories and the Procedure for the Development, Implementation, and Monitoring of the Recovery and Development Plan for Regions and the Recovery and Development Plans for Territorial Communities. The proper level of involvement of all stakeholders in the preparation of comprehensive recovery programs and recovery and development plans requires relevant knowledge and skills of both representatives of national and local authorities and citizens, civil society, and business.

Steps | Responsible agency | Completion time/period | Delivery indication

1. Preparation of recommendations on the involvement of the public in the development, implementation, and monitoring of recovery and development plans for regions and territorial communities | Ministry of Infrastructure | November 2023 — January 2024 | The recommendations have been prepared and published on the official websites of the Ministry of Infrastructure and partner organizations

2. Preparation of recommendations on the involvement of the public in developing programs for the comprehensive restoration of a region and the territory of a territorial community (its part) and for amending such programs | Ministry of Infrastructure | November 2023 — January 2024 | The recommendations have been prepared and published on the official websites of the Ministry of Infrastructure and partner organizations

3. Educational events (seminars, training sessions, etc.) on the involvement of all stakeholders in the preparation of comprehensive recovery programs and recovery and development plans for representatives of the public, state authorities, and local self-government bodies | Ministry of Infrastructure | January — December 2024 | Training has been conducted for representatives of the public, state authorities, and local selfgovernment bodies

Action Plan Review

• Verifiable: Yes
• Does it have an open government lens? Yes
• Potential for results: Modest

Other commitments have limited scope or lack binding changes. Commitment 3 envisages developing public participation mechanisms for the restoration and development of regions and communities damaged during Russia’s full-scale invasion. It includes preparing recommendations for public participation in developing, implementing, and monitoring recovery and development plans. It also includes developing regional restoration programs and organizing educational events for national and local authorities, citizens, civil society, and businesses. The commitment does not entail binding or institutional changes in the participatory practices of local governments, while public consultations are already included in the methodologies for regional development strategies and recovery programs. [30] Therefore, the IRM assesses it as having modest potential for results.