The management system being formed today in the framework of the decentralisation reform, creates powerful conditions for the development of amalgamated hromadas (AHs). Therefore, it is necessary to fill hromadas with as many ideas and creative professionals, and as much knowledge as possible. Manuela Söller-Winkler, expert on public administration and local self-government, former secretary of state and head of the department of local self-government of the Ministry of the Interior of the German land Schleswig-Holstein, informed it at the meeting with deputies and leaders of the Brusylivska and Vysokivska AHs.

Manuela Söller-Winkler, Alexandra Fehlinger, Deputy GIZ Programme Director of U-LEAD with Europe, and legal expert Artem Freyuk made their visit in the framework of preparation to the seminar on the basis of local self-government in Germany for advisers and experts of the U-LEAD with Europe programme in Kyiv. Ms Söller-Winkler will be further involved as an international expert and adviser to the U-LEAD with Europe programme on local self-government issues.

“I think that our experience in reforms’ implementation will be useful for amalgamated hromadas. In Brusyliv and Vysoke we talked with active citizens who have taken responsibility for the development of their territories, not waiting until someone solves all their problems. It’s good. That was the case in Germany,” Manuela Söller-Winkler.

In addition to the changes brought about by the decentralisation reform, the experts were also interested in the problems. Particularly in Brusyliv the absence of powers to manage and dispose of the land was called the main reason for change progress slow-down, as the hromada has no impact on these processes, while it is extremely necessary for the territories’ development and investment attraction. In Vysoke the experts got acquainted with the hromada success story and ideas to be implemented there.

“We want to change the philosophy of hromada development from “Do it for us” to “We will help you, but do it yourself”. It is difficult, but possible. It is important that the state does not change the rules of the game and give some time for new hromadas to form,” said Mykola Barduk, head of the Vysokivska AH.