Training of Local Self-Government Representatives of the Chernihiv Region Completed

On October 1-2, 2024, Kyiv hosted a workshop «Development of Education in Territorial Communities» which finalized a series of events as part of special training programs for local government officials. The workshop hosted 57 participants, including heads and deputy heads of territorial communities, members of local councils, and heads of education authorities from 33 communities in the Chernihiv Region.

Special advanced training programs are being implemented by the Swiss-Ukrainian project DECIDE in cooperation with the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service, the Chernihiv Regional State Administration, and the Chernihiv Regional Center for Advanced Training.

Valentyna Poltorak, DECIDE Project Manager, said, «The communities in the Chernihiv Region have become our reliable partners. Together, we have managed to implement a lot: education development strategies, IMC agreements, school participatory budgets, training for teachers and students, reconstruction of educational institutions and repair of shelters in 10 communities of the region within the framework of the “DECIDE: REBUILDING” initiative. We have also established boards of trustees of educational institutions, introduced an educational course called “Learning to Live in the Community” and are implementing the “Getting Stronger Together” initiative. We are working together to do our best to ensure education development and implement reforms in both education and local self-government».

One of the important issues for community representatives is the transformation of preschool education. Deputy Minister of Education and Science Yevheniia Smirnova highlighted key issues currently faced by educators and managers, including the latest amendments to the Law of Ukraine «On Preschool Education» and plans for further improvement of regulations aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of preschool education.

Before the in-person meeting, participants engaged in distance learning led by leading experts — experienced practitioners specializing in local self-government, education reform, labor law, and the budget process.

The participants also visited a kitchen factory in the Bucha community and a shelter in the Hatne community.

We are confident that the experience and knowledge gained will contribute to the further development of education in the communities of the Chernihiv Region.

This year, through collaboration between the DECIDE Project and the NAUCS, training will also be provided for heads of territorial communities, heads of education commissions of local councils and heads of educational authorities in 5 partner regions of the Project. Soon, the training under special programs will be available to educational managers of all territorial communities of our country!