For four years, the RPR Coalition and the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research have been actively involved in advocating for this important draft law. Last year in May, MPs adopted the document, and today the President officially signed it. 

As a reminder, the Law “On People’s Power” introduces tools for community residents to directly influence and make decisions related to the development of their community.  The document also has a European integration aspect: it brings Ukraine closer to European policies and standards of good governance. 

What does the law change?

• IDPs will have the opportunity to participate in community life on an equal footing with other residents: vote on budget drafts, submit local initiatives, or join public hearings.
• Young people from the age of 14 will have access to influence decisions not only in the field of youth policy, but also in all matters of community life.
• Each community will have its own Statute, a “small Constitution” that will take into account its specifics and regulate the forms of communication between local authorities and residents: from public hearings on the restoration of a playground to discussions of local budget expenditures.
• Community heads, deputies, and starostas will be required to report on their work to residents at a public event.

Yurii Mykytyuk, Head of Regional Programs at the RPR Coalition, is confident: “This law has the status of a European integration law, but it is exactly what we need: local self-government and community residents. From now on, territorial communities will be obliged to adopt their charters, which means that the opportunities for citizens to participate in community life will be simpler and clearer. Democracy is, among other things, the experience of our life in communities, so this is another plus to strengthening democracy.”