A strategic workshop for community leaders titled “Effective and transparent management of public resources at the community level: from urgent needs to effective use” was held, organized by the Center for Innovation Development with support from the “Partnership for a Strong Ukraine” Program.
The event brought together representatives of local communities, experts, and partners to discuss how communities can make decisions regarding public resources amid uncertainty and limited resources, while simultaneously addressing urgent needs, rebuilding what has been damaged, and laying the groundwork for future development.
The discussion centered on how to transition from a reactive approach to addressing needs to a systematic management of public resources – with clear priorities, well-reasoned decisions, and an understanding of the expected outcomes for the community.
In her welcome remarks, Iryna Bilousova, project manager for the “Public Administration and Infrastructure Recovery” project under the “Partnership for a Strong Ukraine” Program, emphasized the practical focus of the proposed training format and its alignment with the specific needs of communities. According to her, participants will work not only with theoretical approaches but also with specific documents and tools that communities will be able to apply in their work in the near future.
Tetyana Stefyuk, Head of the Secretariat of the First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and Advisor to the Minister of Community Development, Territories, and Internally Displaced Persons, emphasized that training and the development of management capacity are investments by communities in their own future. She also highlighted the importance of effective management of public resources – not only budgetary funds, but also property and other community assets. A clear vision of resources and a strategy for their use determine the direction of community development.
Kateryna Ivanchenko, CEO of the Center for Innovation Development, highlighted a key challenge for communities – the need to make strategic decisions amid limited resources and uncertainty. According to her, the task is not only to respond to immediate needs but also to build flexible management systems capable of adapting to various scenarios and supporting long-term development.
For communities today, it is important not only to secure funding for a specific need, but also to address strategic questions, namely:
- what the priority is right now;
- which decisions will have the greatest impact on residents’ quality of life;
- what resources are already available and which are lacking;
- how to balance short-term needs with a long-term vision for the area’s development.
Communities have identified key challenges and opportunities for change
The practical portion of the workshop was conducted in a “World Cafe” format. Participants discussed various aspects of community governance and the use of public resources, shared their own experiences, and sought solutions to common challenges.
Key topics included: setting priorities, planning for recovery, finding the optimal balance between immediate needs and investments in development, the efficient use of available resources, as well as the need for modern management tools and additional expert support.
The results of the group work were presented during a panel discussion with community representatives. This provided an opportunity to compare different approaches and identify common challenges that require systemic solutions.
Participants paid particular attention to the conditions and tools for effective management of public resources. Mykhaylo Leichenko, Director of IT and Analytics at the Center for Innovation Development, presented his vision of how data, digital solutions, and management tools can help communities make their decision-making processes more informed and transparent.
From discussion to practical solutions
The final part of the workshop was devoted to jointly developing proposals and identifying next steps.
“For a community, effective resource management is not just a matter of the budget. It is a matter of the quality of management decisions: do we understand what results we want to achieve, can we set priorities, and do we have the tools to track the effectiveness of resource use?” noted Kateryna Ivanchenko.
An important part of the event was the participants’ reflection on their future work and needs. Community representatives identified the knowledge, practical tools, training, and expert consultations they need to strengthen their capacity in the area of public resource management.
The outcomes developed during the workshop will serve as the foundation for the further implementation of the Innovation Development Center’s project, including the preparation of a training program for communities, the organization of expert consultations, and the development of practical materials.
The event served not only as a platform for exchanging experiences but also as the first step toward shaping a vision of how to help communities transition from managing individual expenditures to the systematic management of public resources and investments – with a focus on concrete results for residents and regional development.
The event was held with the support of the “Partnership for a Strong Ukraine” Program, which is funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, Estonia, Canada, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, and Sweden.