Vinnytsia Was Recognised at the Open Government Global Summit for Developing a Network of Liaison Offices

The summit brought together representatives from more than 70 countries that promote openness, accountability, and partnership between people and local teams. Deputy Mayor Andrii Shportun participated in the Ukrainian delegation from the Association of Ukrainian Cities.

Back in 2020, Vinnytsia, together with Ternopil and Khmelnytskyi, joined the international Open Government Partnership Local initiative to bring community governance closer to the people.

Vinnytsia works according to a clear Action Plan to make governance open and transparent. The main principle is that decisions are made together with people, in partnership and for the common good.

"One of the most important decisions was to open three Liaison Offices in the Desnianskyi, Vinnytsia-Khutirskyi, and Stadnytskyi districts. These are places where people can get advice, join in discussions on local issues, and submit their own ideas or initiatives. We wanted both the residents of the joined territories and internally displaced Ukrainians who settled there during the war to have equal opportunities," said Andrii Shportun.

The liaison offices have been operating since 2023 with the support of the Integrated Urban Development in Ukraine II project, which is being implemented by the German government agency GIZ with funding from the German and Swiss governments.

As part of the cooperation, the community received equipment for three offices, and representatives of the starosta districts underwent training for further organisation of work.

Office staff pay particular attention to supporting internally displaced persons who have become part of our community.

"Over the course of a year, the office in Pysarivka has received more than two thousand people, including about three hundred internally displaced persons. The Vinnytsia-Khutirskyi starosta district currently has 13,500 residents and over 1,300 IDPs. The interaction offices are not just workspaces, but places where everyone can be heard, get involved in change and feel part of Greater Vinnytsia," said starosta Vladyslav Kryveshko.

Representatives of Ukraine spoke about how our communities remain resilient even during wartime: they continue to work, implement new technologies, and develop international partnerships.

OGP representatives noted the effective work of Vinnytsia City Council in developing open governance – for its consistency, partnership with the public, and ability to build dialogue with people. And real change begins where people and the local team work together.