Description
The project responds to the call of the main objective - transfer of transformational experience: supporting the democratization process in the form of sharing Slovak experience of transformation in areas relevant to the recipients. The project aims to convey the unique Slovak experience in building an authentic democratic self-government, community initiatives, citizen participation at the local level, protection of rights, and also resolving conflicts and problems in the development of regions and communities (environment, property rights, national and ethnic tolerance, etc.). Based on the assumption that high centralization of power in the hands of state authorities is currently hampering the transition to democracy in Ukraine. In addition, it is the lack of ability of residents to solve their problems in the democratic process by using bargaining procedures, compromise, where the public authorities respect human dignity and where there were partnerships across social classes and sectors. The project focuses on four key groups of local communities: government, business, media, non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Their leaders will gain knowledge and skills in joint trainings and most active of them will participate in the study visit to Slovakia, during which they will experience the examples of local initiatives and projects, but also with the development of the Slovak government itself. After returning, they will share their experience and inform the public about the obtained knowledge in Slovakia. This will be presented in media, public debates and local joint projects. The project will be implemented in the regions of North - Central region (Chernigov, Zhitomir, Vinnitsa) and South-East region (Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kherson), which are most affected by social problems (including ethnic conflicts) and are not included in the EU CBC programs and are supported by donors to a minimal extent.