A series of trainings for communities in Kharkiv, Kirovohrad and Mykolaiv regions
A series of trainings for working groups and community residents were held in seven communities in Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad, and Kharkiv regions in July–August 2025. The trainings were conducted within the framework of the "Community Restoration and Strengthening of Capacities (HREF)" project, in which the Association for Participatory Community Development is the Executive Partner of the International Organization for Migration (IOM Ukraine).
Purpose of trainings
The main goal of the exercises is to strengthen the potential of local teams in strategic development, project preparation, effective communication, and building trust in communities.
Geography and topics
🔶 Mykolaiv region (Pervomaiska, Voznesenska, Voskresenska communities): Participants learned how to write project applications, work with budgets, model public hearings, create communication plans, and practiced constructive dialogue techniques.
🔶 Kirovohrad region (Kropivnytska and Oleksandriyska communities): Teams analyzed and adapted strategic documents, determined the uniqueness of communities, formed "goal trees", created project ideas, and trained to facilitate dialogue and involve citizens in decision-making.
🔶 Kharkiv region (Valkivska and Berestynska communities): Participants worked on developing a community brand, discussed values that unite residents, learned how to communicate effectively with residents and partners, analyzed risks and strategic planning tools. In another community, they focused on teamwork, structuring project initiatives, and transparent interaction with the public.
Practical results
Participants worked on:
- maps of target groups and needs
- draft project applications
- community brand concepts
- ideas for new local initiatives
- practical communication plans for interacting with residents
Participants' impressions
“The atmosphere of trust and partnership inspires us to act together.”
“The trainings gave us tools that we can use tomorrow.”
“What I liked most was the practicality and the opportunity to work on my ideas right away.”
Who conducted the trainings?
Experts from the Association for Participatory Community Development worked with the communities: Olga Martynovska, Olga Leontieva, Yulia Kolesnik, Oleksandra Hlizhynska, Inna Dushka, Oleg Kulinich, and Natalia Valter-Buynova. Thanks to their expertise and interactive learning methods, the participants received not only knowledge, but also the motivation to put it into practice.
✨ This series of trainings became another step towards strengthening the potential of communities that are recovering, developing partnerships, and forming a new quality of interaction between authorities and residents.
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