On January 8, 2025, Law of Ukraine No. 3703-IX, “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Democracy at the Level of Local Self-Government” (hereinafter referred to as the Law), came into force. Its adoption will allow 4.6 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) to participate in decision-making within their communities. Moreover, this law facilitates the fulfillment of Ukraine’s European integration commitments.
What the New Law on Self-Government Entails
- Adoption of community statutes: Each community must develop and approve its own statute, which will serve as the primary document governing the interaction between local authorities and residents.
- Definition of “community resident”: The Law establishes that IDPs whose de facto place of residence/stay is confirmed by an IDP registration certificate are full-fledged residents of the community, on par with those who have declared or registered their place of residence within the community.
- Expansion of community residents’ rights: The Law defines procedures for holding general meetings and public hearings, submitting local initiatives, and conducting civic evaluations of local self-government bodies (LSGBs). Community residents can participate in planning and distributing local budget funds as well as in public consultations with LSGBs.
- Youth engagement: Citizens aged 14 and older can influence community decisions by participating in local initiatives, public hearings and consultations, and consultation and advisory bodies.
- IDP integration: Displaced persons gain equal rights with other community residents.
What This Means for IDPs
Finally, IDPs can exercise their right to participate in local self-government where they reside (taking part in general meetings or public hearings, submitting local initiatives, creating self-organization bodies, voting on participatory budget projects, and so on.). They are also guaranteed access to local targeted support programs, regardless of their registered place of residence.
Why This Is Important for European Integration
This Law, which incorporates Council of Europe recommendations, marks a significant step in Ukraine’s democratic development. It will help to:
- Increase civic participation levels;
- Implement provisions of the European Charter of Local Self-Government;
- Improve the transparency of local councils’ operations.
How This Will Influence Community Development
By January 1, 2027, all local councils must adopt new statutes to enhance their transparency. A key aspect of these charters is the introduction of reporting by local authorities to residents.
In the Ukraine Facility Plan (an EU financial support program for Ukraine), the European Commission emphasized the need to increase citizen involvement in local decision-making. The new Law will create conditions for greater community participation in local governance, positively affecting Ukraine’s recovery.
Ukraine’s 2024–2027 Plan states that this Law will contribute to the country’s effective recovery by engaging communities in decision-making processes.
The Role of Civil Society Organizations
More than 200 organizations supported the Law in a collective appeal to the President. This document will serve as a foundation for building strong democracy within communities.
“Although the Law has already come into force, this does not mean that all barriers faced by displaced persons in their communities have disappeared. There is still much work ahead to align local decisions with national legislation. However, the legal recognition of IDPs as full-fledged community residents will help IDP Councils more effectively advocate for changes to local programs,” said Oksana Savytska, Development Advisor for IDP Councils of the CF “Stabilization Support Services”
The Law “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Democracy at the Level of Local Self-Government” elevates the interaction between communities and authorities to a new level. It grants citizens, including IDPs, the opportunity to influence life in their communities, fostering democratization and national recovery.
A more detailed overview of the key innovations of the Law is available in the webinar “New Opportunities for Communities Opened by Law No. 3703-IX On People’s Power at the Level of Local Self-Government’.”
The webinar was organized by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine, the Public Holding “Group of Influence,” with support from UK Aid, and in partnership with the Ukrainian Independent Center for Political Studies.