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People's voiceSECOND PHASE OF THE PEOPLE’S VOICE PROJECT Overview The People’s Voice project is a project that supports the development and facilitation of various citizen engagement activities throughout Ukraine as a means of improving municipal service delivery. It is financed primarily by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and is managed by the World Bank in association with a number of key local partners, including PADCO and the International Centre for Policy Studies (ICPS). The project began in November 2003 and will be completed by June 2007. This new phase of the People’s Voice project builds off a successful first phase (also funded by CIDA) that was managed by ICPS and implemented in four (4) Ukrainian cities – Ivano Frankivsk, Ternopil, Chuguiv and Kupyansk. The main purpose of this first phase – which was completed in June 2003 - was to provide support for NGO coalitions in each of the project cities to monitor service delivery, engage local citizens to express their concerns with service delivery and to provide support to local officials to develop mechanisms (policies, strategies, access points, etc.) in order to address concerns and needs raised by the public. In general, the second phase seeks to use the materials developed and insight gained from the first phase and expand activities to a broader range of geographical areas throughout Ukraine. In addition to providing support for NGOs to monitor service delivery, the project seeks to work more cooperatively with local governments to improve their capabilities of providing quality services to local citizens. Based upon a review and competition amongst potential project cities in Ukraine, the following six cities were selected and represent the main network of cities under the auspices of the People’s Voice Project.
Each city has demonstrated a willingness to participate in the project and brings a number of positive experiences (in either the civil society or governance sphere) as well as interesting challenges to the project. Project Goal The overall goal of the project is to improve the quality of municipal service provision by implementing mechanisms and procedures that promote public participation in building an effective, responsible and open government at the municipal level throughout Ukraine. Objectives This goal will be achieved through the facilitation of a number of activities in each of the six project cities by:
Donors The overall objectives of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in Ukraine include the development of civil society and governance in Ukraine. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is the federal agency charged with planning and implementing most of Canada's development cooperation program in order to reduce poverty and to contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world. It should also be noted that People’s Voice represents an important part of the World Bank’s Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) in Ukraine. In October 2003, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a new Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for Ukraine for the period 2004-2007. This document serves as the roadmap for World Bank assistance to the country. The CAS aims to support Ukraine's aspirations to join the European Union by continuing to facilitate institutional reforms that can lead to a business-friendly environment and a more inclusive and responsive government. It emphasizes the need to strengthen civil society and to enhance accountability of public officials. Project Coordination Team The project coordination team consists of experts from two organizations – PADCO and ICPS - that are responsible for organizing project initiatives and coordinating the efforts. Together with representatives from the World Bank and locally contracted representatives in each of the project cities, the PADCO/ICPS helps to facilitate and monitor all project activities and identifies new project stakeholders through its work with a number of local and international stakeholders. PADCO PADCO is a results-oriented company that provides expertise worldwide to enable governments, communities, and businesses to design and implement successful development programs that improve the quality of life and the environment. Founded in 1965, PADCO, Inc. (Planning and Development Collaborative International) is a dynamic, employee-owned international urban and regional planning firm that provides a wide range of expert technical advisory services to governments and private sector clients in developing countries around the world. PADCO offers consulting services in such areas as policy formation and implementation; legal and regulatory reform and privatization; urban planning and administrative and financial management; municipal decentralization; infrastructure demand/capacity analyses; environmental resources management including environmental risk analyses and impact monitoring, water and wastewater management, resource pricing studies; and geographic information systems (GIS) management. PADCO also has significant experience providing training services in all aspects of urban and regional development. More than 10 years PADCO, Inc. has been working in has been working in Ukraine to provide assistance to the government of Ukraine on social and housing sector reform. International Centre for Policy Studies (ICPS) The International Centre for Policy Studies (ICPS) is an independent nonprofit research organization whose mandate is to promote the introduction of public policy concepts and practices in Ukraine. ICPS assists the government of Ukraine and the public-at-large in increasing their awareness of the need to analyze policy alternatives, to research the possible implications of adopting or rejecting each policy alternative, and to reconcile competitive interests. The main objective of the Centre is to establish procedures for substantive dialogue in Ukraine between representatives of the legislative and executive arms of government and the public. ICPS implements its experience in compliance with the requirements for building an open society. ICPS was established in 1994 upon the initiative of the Open Society Institute. Regional Partners
Project Components 1. Citizen Engagement and NGO Development This component focuses on increasing awareness and participation of citizens in their local communities through developing the skills and capacity of NGOs and community-based organizations in each of the project cities. In order to enhance the capacities of local NGO specific training will be provided for their representatives with the assistance of both Ukrainian and international trainers. In addition, funding will be provided to local NGO partners in each of the six project cities to carry out citizen engagement activities such as conducting surveys, public hearings, etc. 2. Municipal Policy Capacity Building and Improvement of Services This component is focused mostly on conducting training program for representatives from municipal authorities of the project cities as well as implementation of local initiatives according to action plan developed for each city. These initiatives will address service improvement priorities in each of the cities. 3. Monitoring and Research of Municipal Issues As part of this component of the project, a survey was conducted on public satisfaction with quality of municipal services delivery in the six (6) project cities. This will be followed by a comparative research that will compare the levels of satisfaction with municipal service delivery across the country and analyzing both the positive and negative trends in this regard over time. 4. Information and Communication Development The communication strategy of the project is aimed at dissemination of information, best practices and project materials by means of a project web site (www.pvp.org.ua), newsletters and other forms of local media. The overall goal of the communication strategy is help disseminate experiences and best practices which can be designed on the basis of this project experience. Types of Activities 1. NGO Development Training City Background Information Makiyivka Makiyivka (the largest amongst project cities with a population around 430,000) is situated in the eastern Ukraine as a neighbor to Donetsk. It is famous for its coal mining and metal producing enterprises in the Donbass region. The main focus of recent municipal activity in Makiyivka has been the development of self-reliant community associations. Makiyivka is an acknowledged national leader in this particular area of development, which is seen as an important focal point between local authorities and local citizens. Such community associations should help citizens not to remain outsiders of municipal process, but rather should provide them with an opportunity to contribute their ideas and efforts as a way of improving local services. Komsomolsk A relatively young and small city (with a population around 54,000), Komsomolsk was only founded in 1960. It is situated in central Ukraine along the banks of the Dnipro River. Enthusiasm and recent initiatives, coupled with a high professionalism of local citizens has transformed Komsomolsk into a modern Ukrainian city. The positive experience of reforming municipal services, the re-creation of public health services, engaging the citizens to participation in solving major problems of urban life all serve as an example and a focal point of interest for many cities of Ukraine. Chernihiv An ancient city, Chernihiv has more than 1300 years of history and is known all over Ukraine for its historical and cultural significance. It is an oblast center with population around 310,000 people, located just a couple of hours away from the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv. After a long and painful economic decay, the city has recently started to revive itself economically and has made a number of significant local reforms. The city currently includes more than 340 non-governmental organizations. Famous scientists, journalists, politicians and other active people have made their contribution into the decision-making processes in the field of municipal development through participation in these organizations. Lutsk Lutsk is an oblast center situated on the Styr River, almost 400 km to the west of Kyiv and not very far from the Polish border. It is a relatively progressive city with a population close to 215,000. The first mention of Lutsk (“Luchesk”) in historical writings dates back to 1085. Today, Lutsk is characterized by a quite dynamic city management known for their commitment to reforms and to innovations in municipal policy. The main focus of city activity is implementing the innovative practices related to the development of communal housing. Alchevsk Alchevsk has a population around 120,000 and is an industrial centre in the Luhansk oblast (eastern Ukraine) known for the two of the biggest enterprises in the region – a metallurgical plant and a chemical refining factory. The city government is dynamic and inclined to apply the most progressive technologies of public involvement in the city. The municipality pays much attention to upgrading their staff and tries to cooperate with NGOs to the best extent possible. Kolomyia Kolomyia is a rayon centre (with population of 62,000), in the Carpathian region, not very far from the city of Ivano Frankivsk. As a city, it is an outstanding and well maintained historical and cultural centre of the region known for having one of the most dynamic and versatile NGO communities. The main focus in the city development is in developing opportunities and improving the environment for small and medium businesses. Local NGOs actively participate in different technical assistant projects funded by international and donor organizations. Expected Outcomes
Contact Information People’s Voice Project Tel.: +38-044-484-4408, 484-4409 E-mail: pvp@icps.kiev.ua URL: www.pvp.org.ua |
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