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THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE U-LEAD WITH EUROPE PROGRAMME ISSUE # 5, SEPTEMBER 2018

National Conference "New Ukrainian School - start of reforms, participation of hromadas" TABLE OF CONTENTS , 21 August 2018 Photo: U-LEAD Archives

Feature: Accelerating the decentralisation in DECENTRALISATION OF EDUCATION IS AMONG THE the PRIORITIES OF THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT The Interview: Iryna Kohut To promote the start of the New Ukrainian Together with other partners in the education School and discuss key strategies and topics, sector, U-LEAD organised a break-out session Decentralisation Dynamics more than 1,000 stakeholders from the on local education management where the education sector all over were invited to important role and contributions of local self- Success Story: a conference and greeted by President Petro government in the implementation of the reform Focus on Vocational Education Poroshenko and Minister of Education and were highlighted. The session participants and Training Science Liliia Hrynevych. exchanged their experiences, discussed challenges ahead and formulated policy Voices of U-LEAD with Europe Decentralisation in education was among the priorities that will be presented to the Ministry of most prominent issues discussed at the event. Education and Science (MES). Speaking at the conference, Hugues Mingarelli, IMPRINT Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, identified The upcoming Vocational Education and decentralisation as one of the major successes Training (VET) reform was also discussed. U- of the country. LEAD expert Gennadiy Rusanov presented Responsible for recommendations to strengthen evidence-based the publication: Ambassador Mingarelli also called upon and collaborative decision-making through relevant Ukrainian authorities to do their utmost capable regional VET councils, developed with U-LEAD with Europe and ensure that local elections in newly the support of U-LEAD. Programme amalgamated hromadas (AHs) take place this Bastian Veigel, year. This would allow more than one million Kameran Khudur Ukrainians in over 120 hromadas to enjoy the benefits of decentralisation, including hub Editors: schools and the new educational space. Olena Molodtsova Roland Hackenberg

Production and distribution: U-LEAD Monitoring, Visibility and Knowledge Management Team

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U-LEAD IN THE SPOTLIGHT

KYIV U-LEAD LAUNCHES THE INITIATIVE TO ANJA FISCHER SUPPORT ENERGY MANAGEMENT IN AMALGAMATED HROMADAS U-LEAD SECTOR REFORMS TEAM LEADER On 6 September, U-LEAD with Europe launched its new initiative “Support to energy management in amalgamated hromadas”. It aims to assist local authorities in becoming more energy-efficient, thus saving funds for vital MOVING TOWARDS investments in municipal services and socio-economic development.

A REFORMED This initiative is implemented jointly with the GIZ Project “Energy Efficiency in Municipalities II” and will run up until EDUCATION SECTOR IN October 2019. Thirty AHs will receive technical support in setting up integrated energy management systems, including Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans HROMADAS (SECAPs).

While most schoolchildren - and many U-LEADers - enjoyed the last days of summer, the Ministry of Education and Science with KYIV support from U-LEAD with Europe held its biggest national MORE THAN 200 HROMADA LEADERS AND conference so far on 21 August to mark the start of the ambitious ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE EXPERTS New Ukrainian School reform. From 1 September, a modern PARTICIPATED IN THE STUDY VISITS TO learning environment and improved quality of education will enter Ukrainian classrooms. EXEMPLARY ASCS

The conference was a great opportunity for representatives of new More than 200 hromada leaders and administrative service hromadas to take active part in discussions with educators and experts from all regions of Ukraine have already benefited policymakers at the national level. Promoting effective collaboration from nine visits to exemplary ASCs. and communication between different levels of administration is part of U-LEAD’s sector decentralisation approach. One of the They learned how institutional mechanisms, such as prerequisites for that are sufficient capacities, as U-LEAD integration of services, flexible staffing and creation of education policy adviser Iryna Kohut points out in this issue’s remote workplaces for starostas, are implemented at interview. Among the challenges identified during a session ASCs. In the course of the study visits, infrastructural moderated by her at the conference were the low management and features of newly created ASCs were presented, including financial capacities of local self-government authorities. To address open space planning, absence of barriers, facilities for this demand, U-LEAD Sector Reform Team has been working on people with disabilities, self-service terminals and specific capacity development measures and promoting peer-to- children’s corners. peer learning through regional networks. In total, there will be 35 study visits gathering over 1,000 But while everyone talks about secondary education, important representatives of hromadas from all over Ukraine. steps are also taken in the area of Vocational Education and Training (VET). Here we highlight the most recent developments of the national VET policy and U-LEAD’s contribution to this process, KYIV which sets an important framework for the decentralisation of the TREMBITA SYSTEM HAS ENGAGED MORE sector. THAN 60 IT SPECIALISTS We hope that you will enjoy reading the new issue of Dynamics that will bring you more interesting facts and updates about EGOV4Ukraine and SoftXpansion (Ukraine) conducted U-LEAD activities and beyond. additional training events on the Trembita system for more than 60 IT specialists from different governmental agencies, including the State Migration Service, the State Fiscal Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Central Election Commission, the Pension Fund, the Ministry of Social Policy, the State Land Cadastre, etc.

The trained specialists will help to connect the databases and registries of their respective agencies with Trembita system.

KYIV

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THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VULYK INFORMATION SYSTEM WILL BEGIN IN 10 MUNICIPALITIES

The State Agency for e-Governance of Ukraine and the Estonian e-Governance Academy signed the partnership agreement with 10 Ukrainian municipalities to start the implementation of the Vulyk information system in 10 pilot ASCs. The agreement was signed with the municipalities of Ukrainka, , , Pereyaslav- Khmelnytskyi, Kamyanets-Podilskyi, Kakhovka, Nova Kakhovka, Yuzhne, Olevsk and Chortkiv. By the end of 2020, Vulyk will be launched in up to 600 ASCs across Ukraine.

ACCELERATING THE DECENTRALISATION IN THE KYIV OBLAST

Acceleration of the amalgamation process is amongst the key Georg Milbradt mentioned that Germany had dealt with similar issues for the Kyiv Oblast. This process requires good coordination issues more than 20 years ago during the unification process, and between local hromadas willing to amalgamate, the rayon and the that decentralisation finally changed people’s mindsets. According oblast administrations. to Larysa Makarenko, Chairwoman of the Rayon Village Heads Association, a study trip to successful hromadas of That was why the Baryshivka Rayon leadership focused on the the Poltava Oblast, organised by U-LEAD with Europe, was very discussion of prospective amalgamation when they met Georg instrumental in changing the stance towards the amalgamation Milbradt, Special Envoy of the German Government on process. governance and decentralisation reforms in Ukraine, on 8 August. “I feel myself like a postman who delivers impressions, and I “If earlier people approached me and asked why we were going to promise to convey your messages,” – said Dr. Milbradt when destroy their rural areas by establishing amalgamated hromadas, asked by the leadership of the Baryshivka Rayon to discuss their now people come and ask why they still do not have an AH. And amalgamation with Vice Prime Minister Hennadii Zubko in Kyiv. the most positive impact is when they visit successful AHs and see On 11 September, the Kyiv Oblast State Administration issued a the changes,” - said MP Pavlo Rizanenko, who represents positive conclusion for the amalgamation of 18 villages to form the residents of Baryshivka in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Baryshivska AH.

“We, as U-LEAD with Europe, try to ensure that local people are able to convince other people in the necessity of the decentralisation reform and there is the political will at the national level to go the same way,” – underlined Bastian Veigel, GIZ Programme Director of U-LEAD with Europe.

THE U-LEAD WITH EUROPE INTERVIEW IRYNA KOHUT U-LEAD EDUCATION POLICY ADVISER LOCAL AUTHORITIES SHOULD CREATE CONDITIONS FOR THE AUTONOMY OF SCHOOLS

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What changes are envisaged by the educational reform in the work of local self- And what is the school autonomy about? government bodies, that is, in the management of education at the local level?

The new Law "On Education" introduces important principles that When we talk about schools and kindergartens, the boundaries of determine the activities of local self-government bodies in the their autonomy are not clearly defined by the law. However, it education sector. First of all, it is the responsibility and states that the education establishment itself develops the accountability of education management bodies and education education programme and curriculum, as well as forms an internal establishments to society. Second, it is about institutional system of quality assurance. We can say that everything that separation of the supervisory functions and the functions of concerns the education process is solved at school level. The local ensuring activity of educational establishments. These general authorities should create conditions for this education process to principles have very important practical implications. . take place.

Have the relationship between the local Are the changes, introduced by the Law "On education authority and schools changed Education," final? Has the reform of education because of this? management system already been completed?

The philosophy of the school reform implies a completely different The 2017 Law "On Education" is a framework one. Currently the type of management both at hromada and at school level – that is Ministry of Education and Science is preparing a new Law "On unusual for Ukraine. It means that a principal cannot make General Secondary Education". Its draft has already gone through decisions alone. The same applies to local authorities – when the first public hearing. defining an annual education budget or opening a hub school, the education department or the hromada’s head should involve all The period between the adoption of the Law "On Education" and relevant parties - teachers, parents and students. the law "On General Secondary Education" is the right time to work out different models of education management. This experience should be thoroughly analysed. After practical elaboration in hromadas, the education management model, introduced by the new law, has a chance to become operational.

Questions prepared by: Visibility Group of U-LEAD with Europe.

DECENTRALISATION DYNAMICS

PRESIDENT POROSHENKO: THE ELECTION PROCESS IN NEWLY ESTABLISHED AHS Modern VET Reform Concept for 2018-28 SHOULD BE UNBLOCKED

In an interview with the Zhytomyr TV channel “ SK1” about unblocking of the elections in newly established FOCUS ON VOCATIONAL AHs, the President said: "If people decided to create an amalgamated hromada, then it means taking EDUCATION AND TRAINING responsibility. And they are ready to take responsibility for their own destiny. The state has to help them. And in any case, we should not see any obstacles in this regard". U-LEAD with Europe supported the development of the concept on "Modern Vocational Education" for 2018-2028. The document Currently, 123 AHs are expecting the Central Election constitutes a national strategy for reforming the vocational Commission to assign the elections of local mayors and education and training (VET) sector in Ukraine. U-LEAD experts local council members. These AHs represent 1 million supported formulating the document’s priorities and bringing 21 thousand residents. Also, local elections are still regional and local stakeholders into the discussion facilitated pending for 318 thousand residents of 55 hromadas through three workshops in Khmelnytskiy, and Poltava. For which joined 37 previously established AHs. the first time, education managers, educators, social partner organisations and other stakeholders from all joined representatives of the MES to contribute to shaping the HENNADII ZUBKO: BY AUGUST 2018, national VET policy. During these workshops, the MES presented LOCAL BUDGET REVENUES INCREASED a draft concept and discussed key topics with participants. Polish TO ALMOST UAH 149 BILLION experts and practitioners provided international practice and shared their experience with the Ukrainian colleagues.

In January - August 2018, the revenues of local budgets One of the major priorities for the strategic paper is further increased to UAH 148.7 billion. This is UAH 27.9 billion decentralisation of the VET system. Strengthening evidence-based more compared to the same period of 2017. management at the regional level, stronger school autonomy and decentralisation of funding system are among the main tasks under According to Hennadii Zubko, Vice Prime Minister – this priority. Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine, growth in The MES adopted the concept on 22 May 2018. It already serves local budgets was observed in all oblasts. The highest as a framework and a roadmap for planning legislative changes, including the new general law on VET, by-laws on regional VET

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councils and by-laws on educational standards and curricula. All growth was achieved in revenues from personal income oblasts will be obliged to prepare their VET development strategies tax (26.8% or UAH 18.3 billion) and unified tax (27.6% on the basis of the priorities defined in the concept paper. The or UAH 4.1 billion). The Poltava, Donetsk, Lviv, document was also submitted to the EU Delegation to Ukraine and Ternopil, Kharkiv and Volyn Oblasts demonstrated the aided the design of suport measures under the new EU-funded highest growth. programme for VET, which is planned for implementation in 2019- 2022.

NEIGHBOURING HROMADAS ARE ACCESSING 29 CITIES OF OBLAST SIGNIFICANCE

Already 29 cities of oblast significance have used the simplified mechanism of merging with neighbouring hromadas. Out of this number, six cities completed the accession procedures, as reported by the Association of Ukrainian Cities. In general, 22 village councils joined them. Eight cities of oblast significance have received positive conclusions from oblast state administrations and await final decisions of councils in September – November 2018.

Today there are 545 hub schools in Ukraine, of The EU is proud to support the decentralisation which 234 are located in amalgamated hromadas. reform through the U-LEAD with Europe Programme When we talk about the quality of education on the which strengthens capacities of local self- ground, formation of hub institutions and governments and provides hromadas with tools to development of the New Educational Space, we enhance citizen participation, improve the quality of need to clearly understand how this network will public services and promote economic operate in Ukraine, how to ensure its financial development. sustainability, effective use of educational subventions and necessary infrastructure. Hugues Mingarelli, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Hennadii Zubko, Vice Prime Minister

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ASCs are now offering more services. All inquiries The impressions after visiting our new ASC are are processed in due time and at a much higher good. I liked that all staff is accommodated in one level of service. In the past, people had to travel to place, which means that a visitor doesn’t have to go the rayon centre or were receiving services at the from one office to another, and matters are handled council, wasting time to get there and waiting in much faster. The personnel are more attentive to lines. visitors. I have already used the services of gas and water supply departments, as well as dealt with land-related formalities.

Vasyl Tsymakhovskyi, Head of Economics Section of the Yerkivska Iryna, Landscaping Inspector, hromada, Cherkasy Oblast , Kyiv Oblast

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union and its member states Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Poland and Sweden. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of its authors and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union and its member states Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Poland and Sweden.

© U-LEAD with Europe, 2018

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Websites: u-lead.org.ua, decentralisation.gov.ua Phone: (+380 44) 581 27 99 Facebook: facebook.com/ULEADwithEurope Email: [email protected] Address: House of Decentralisation, 20 Velyka Zhytomyrska Street (4th floor), Kyiv 01001, Ukraine

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