During the visit to Poltava, the Polaris Programme management and experts discussed strategic development and support for municipalities with partners and also took part in Sweden on Tour events in the city.

One of the key topics at the meeting with the Poltava Regional Military Administration was a demographic analysis designed to inform the region’s strategic planning. The study was prepared at the Administration’s request by Polaris experts together with the Ptoukha Institute for Demography and Life Quality Studies. It examines long-term demographic trends, changes since the start of the full-scale war, and projected future developments. Poltava, Lubny and Novoorzhytske hromadas were selected for more targeted monitoring.
 

Since 2022, access to comprehensive official population statistics has been significantly constrained, even as up-to-date demographic data remain essential for development planning. Poltava Region has already started developing its Regional Development Strategy for 2028–2034, and the study will help ensure that population needs are taken into account when planning education, healthcare and social services and allocating resources.

“We need detailed, up-to-date population data to accurately forecast demand for education, healthcare and social services, adapt service networks to the actual size of the population, and make sound decisions on the allocation of budget resources. Strategic planning must be grounded in the real needs of people who live in the region, return to it, or plan to build their future here,” said Iryna Salohub, Deputy Head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration. “That is why carrying out a comprehensive demographic study focused on Poltava Region has become one of our priorities.”

“Demographic resilience is shaped by more than birth rates and migration. It also depends on whether people see a future for themselves in the region, whether they have opportunities to work, raise a family and fulfil their potential here. Long-term decisions at both regional and municipal level need to support exactly that,” said Susanna Dellans, Team Leader of the Polaris Programme and SALAR International Representative in Ukraine.

In a separate meeting, experts working on Locally-Led Recovery met with the Regional Military Administration’s Department of Economic Development, Trade and Investment Attraction. They discussed cooperation on the Poltava Region Development Strategy for 2028–2034 and the Action Plan for its implementation.

The Polaris team also took part in Sweden on Tour, an event dedicated to cooperation between Ukraine and Sweden. Experts presented the Programme’s support for municipalities across the region and its main areas of work. Visitors could also take an interactive quiz on decentralisation and local self-government, comparing how these systems work in Poltava and the Swedish municipality of Kalmar. The two municipalities are developing their partnership with support from the International Centre for Local Democracy (ICLD) and the Cities4Cities initiative, which implements the International Municipal Partnership track of Polaris. 'Sweden on Tour' also included a football match between Ukrainian and Swedish teams, workshops and other public activities.

Polaris cooperation in Poltava Oblast combines strategic engagement at the regional level with practical work with hromadas in the areas of recovery, education, international municipal cooperation, strengthening the capacity of starostas, access to administrative services, and prevention of gender-based and domestic violence. Polaris has also provided crisis support to 12 hromadas in the oblast.