The Association for Communities Participatory Development and five partner organizations have united in a consortium to strengthen civic participation in Ukraine.
Six civil society and expert organizations from different regions of Ukraine have established a consortium to support communities in implementing effective and transparent civic participation mechanisms, strengthening the voice of residents, and contributing to quality recovery at the local level.
The consortium was created in response to the growing demand from communities and civil society for systemic solutions, shared expertise, and long-term cooperation—especially in the context of post-war recovery and Ukraine’s path toward European integration.
Why the Consortium Was Established
The consortium aims to combine the experience and resources of organizations that have been working directly with communities for many years in order to:
- strengthen residents’ participation in decision-making processes;
- support local civic initiatives;
- promote participatory tools that meet international standards;
- shift from fragmented interventions to systemic and sustainable change.
If we truly want to advance the ideas of civic participation, democracy, and inclusive engagement—especially ensuring that the voices of vulnerable groups are heard—we cannot do this alone. That is why we initiated the creation of this consortium, bringing together organizations that have maintained a strong and living connection with communities. For us, localization is not a buzzword but a daily practice: decisions must be developed together with people and reflect their real needs
Leonid Donos, Executive Director of the ACPD
What This Means for Communities
Through the consortium’s work, communities and active citizens gain access to:
- Comprehensive expertise — support from multiple organizations across advocacy, sustainable development, youth policy, civic participation, and resource mobilization.
- Transparent recovery tools — assistance in implementing participatory mechanisms that are essential for building trust among residents and for cooperation with international partners.
- Stronger local initiatives — increased visibility, support, and opportunities to scale community-led actions.
- Learning and peer exchange — mentoring, joint activities, and horizontal collaboration between communities from different regions of Ukraine.
The creation of the Consortium is not a formal alliance of organizations, but a strategic response to the challenges Ukraine faces on its path to recovery and European integration. It is important that our cooperation is built on the principles of equality and voluntariness: each organization retains its autonomy, while together we act as a single mechanism to achieve a shared goal—transforming Ukrainians from recipients of assistance into active architects of their communities’ future,
Serhii Omelichkin, Head of the Board of Agency of Local Initiatives
Members of the Consortium
The consortium brings together the following organizations:
Next Steps
The consortium has already begun joint work on project initiatives and grant applications. Its focus is on supporting communities in implementing democratic practices, strengthening civic participation, and enhancing human security.
The establishment of the consortium is a long-term step toward ensuring that civic participation becomes a real advantage for Ukrainian communities—not a formality, but a practical and sustainable approach in action.
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