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Randomly selected to represent the population in terms of age, gender, level of education, and place of residence, 45 citizens of Kyiv’s Obolon district are working together to develop recommendations for local authorities on how to support veterans, veteran women, and their families.

Kyiv, Apr. 20 (DPnet).– The first session of the Citizens' Assembly took place in the Obolon District on 18-19 April. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen local democracy during wartime, organized with the support of the Council of Europe.

The session commenced with remarks from Gunn Marit Helgesen, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (online), alongside Vitalii Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv; Maciej Janczak, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine; and Kyrylo Fesyk, Head of the Obolon District State Administration. They underscored the critical need for citizen engagement in crafting inclusive and effective local policies, especially in the vital area of supporting veterans and their families. Their collective insights highlight that an active citizen voice is essential for driving meaningful change in Ukrainian communities.

All the information gathered during the learning phase will help participants prepare meaningful recommendations for local authorities. In turn, the authorities have committed to considering the proposals developed by the Assembly.

The preparation and implementation of the Citizens’ Assembly take place within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” for 2023-2026 and the project “Strengthening multilevel governance and local democracy to support Ukraine’s recovery”, implemented by the Council of Europe Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.

This project follows similar successful assemblies in 2024 in Zviahel and Slavutych, marking a continued effort to involve citizens directly in policymaking during times of conflict. Following the initial April 18-19 session, subsequent meetings are scheduled for May 2–3 and May 16–17, 2026.

More information about the citizens’ assembly in Kyiv’s Obolon district is available on the website of the Obolon District State Administration. Mail: rda.obolonska@kyivcity.gov.ua – Phones: +38 (44) 419-66-66 – +38 (44) 418-38-49