Khmelnytskyi City Territorial Community was selected as one of the first communities to join the Local Government Integrity Alliance.
The Alliance operates within the framework of the “Pro-Integrity” project, which is jointly funded by USAID (the United States Agency for International Development) and UK International Development (the United Kingdom Agency for International Development).
On October 28, the first 22 communities were presented, and within five years the Alliance will unite 80 Ukrainian communities.
The Alliance’s primary tasks in cooperation with communities will be to assess corruption and governance risks and develop Integrity Improvement Plans, review and improve local regulatory acts, increase the capacity of anti-corruption officers, assist in digitalization and improve digital capabilities. In addition, Pro-Integrity will prepare the Integrity Alliance communities for cooperation with international financial institutions and private investors.
These 22 communities will become models in assessing corruption and governance risks in critical areas of local government authority (procurement, land management, real estate management, urban planning and architecture), improving and implementing new digital solutions for community residents, building partnerships with international financial institutions, as well as cities in the EU and the USA.
“Efficiency is a very important criterion for cooperation. Therefore, as a result of cooperation, we expect the implementation of systemic changes that communities need, in particular, for economic development and attracting investment. After all, communities have something to offer investors. But it is very important to do the "homework" in the form of necessary reforms and show investors the potential - and accountable government, efficiency, transparency and clarity of procedures and regulations are key factors in building trust for investors," - said Bohdan Boyko, Head of the Integrity Support Department in Local Self-Government.