Since 2015, the Institute “Respublica”, through its “Active Community” network, has been working to strengthen citizens’ participation in decision-making relating to activation of citizens and the implementation of reforms representing the public interest.

The activation of citizens, their participation in decision-making and discussion of reforms in the society are the matters of extreme importance today. It is the systematic approach to defending the interests of citizens at different levels that can ensure the long-awaited development of the country and the well-being of the population. The Institute “Respublica” is going to further motivate citizens with a view to reaching this aim through a series of activities. So far, we dare say that there has already been a sensible change for the better in the communities.

So, today we are talking about Kropyvnytskyi city and Kirovohrad region.

In 2020, regional coordinators of the All-Ukrainian Initiative “Active Community” helped to launch 3 citizens’ initiatives that have already produced the desired effect. A total of 48 citizens joined the initiatives.

The outcomes achieved through the work of the initiative groups:

1. Landscaping of the territory adjacent to residential buildings has been carried out in the city of Kropyvnytskyi: a covered sandpit was arranged and painted, as well as benches and seesaws, flowers were planted in flowerbeds.

2. A sports ground for team sports has been set up in the village of Yehorivka of the Novoukrainska Amalgamated Territorial Community (ATC): for playing football, volleyball and basketball, with benches for fans installed.

3. A recreation area has been arranged near a pond in the village of Marianopil of the Novoukrainska ATC: a volleyball court was set up, a gazebo and an outdoors grill were installed, and stump-shaped fishing chairs were installed along the shore.

All these initiatives joined efforts of entrepreneurs (who provided sand for the sandpit and paint), representatives of some political parties (who also provided paint, brushes, gloves), and the local authorities which provided financial support to the citizens’ initiatives. The initiatives got wide coverage on social networks and the websites of local authorities and local organizations of political parties.

Thus, for example, the initiative groups of residents of the villages of Yehorivka, Marianopil and Kamianyi Mist opened, on October 22nd, 2020, two more locations now serving as recreation areas for the community.

– The initiative group of residents of the village of Yehorivka, led by Nataliia Kovalenko, implemented a mini-project “Arrangement of a sports ground for team sports”. A sports ground for playing football, volleyball and basketball, with benches for fans, was set up near the children’s location, established the previous year.

– Near a pond in the village of Marianopil, a group of activists (led by project manager Valentyna Rachkovan) arranged a recreation area. Now, any person can enjoy the beauty of nature, as well as to play volleyball, relax with friends in gazebos, cook something delicious on a grill or have fun with children at a playground. The activists accommodated also the interests of recreational fishermen – for them, they installed stump-shaped fishing chairs along the shore.

Anatolii Stoian, the regional coordinator of the All-Ukrainian Initiative “Active Community” in Kropyvnytskyi, notes that, for him, “the concept of ‘activism’ means a person’s will to be involved in changing his community”.

“The activities of the All-Ukrainian Initiative “Active Community” affect the lives of the city residents through informational and educational activities on topical issues, support to initiative groups of citizens, development of debate clubs for student youth, as well as their involvement in public consultations and submitting proposals for the Community Development Maps,” Anatolii says.

According to him, motivating people to join active social and political life of their community/city/country should take place through the creation of initiative groups of citizens, providing mentoring to them and promoting success stories.

Serhii Mitsenko, a public activist from Katerynivka village ATC in Kropyvnytskyi district, shared his experience of participating in an initiative group in the community:

“A lot depends on how you defined the idea which should unite people into an initiative. Another important factor is the support of local authorities because it is easier to change the life of your community together. It is also necessary to present to other citizens the success story of public work carried out by an initiative group,” Serhii emphasized.

The “Active Community of Kirovohrad region” Facebook page:

Note. The mission of the “Active Community” is to achieve prosperity through the democratic development of Ukrainian communities. The goal for 2025 is to activate and involve at least 1% of citizens in decision-making and promotion of reforms in Ukraine on a systemic basis for the well-being of Ukrainian communities. The initiative was created through the activities of the Institute “Respublica”. We are working to increase the civil activity of citizens.

Authored by Tetiana Kavunenko, the head of the press service of the Institute “Respublica” and the All-Ukrainian Initiative “Active Community”