Saky (Crimea), 11-14 March: About 40 participants representing 19 municipalities have improved their leadership potential and learned how to apply gender-based analysis to local development programmes at the Annual Conference of the Municipal Support Units. The Forum was organized by a UNDP-led Municipal Governance and Sustainable Development Programme with support from Canadian International Development Agency.
During first two days the municipal coordinators and representatives of UNDP/MGSDP partner-municipalities participated in interactive training programme “Leaders building partnership relations” aimed at developing skills and competency in leadership.
The training was based on transformation concepts of leadership skills, combined with practical experience, which taught the participants to unite the efforts of their teams, organizations, partner organizations and local communities for reaching outstanding results in applying community-based approach. The training was conducted by trainers from Institute of Successful Communities, Larysa Tatarynova and Larysa Shydlovska.
The training was held in UNDP/MGSDP partner-municipality of Saky and City Mayor Oleg Klui welcomed the participants of the Conference: “Professionalism and leadership skills of personnel of Municipal Support Units for community initiatives are important for mobilizing local communities. Owing to cooperation with UNDP/MGSDP, MSU of municipality supported implementation of four local community projects, conducted information campaign on HIV/AIDS and gender and supported creation of official web-site of the city-council. The trainings for enhancing leadership capacities and knowledge about gender bring multiplied effect to partner-municipalities and local communities”.
The participants shared experience in their work in establishing community-based organizations (Associations of Co-Owners of Multi-Apartment Buildings, Service Cooperatives, Public Organizations of schools and kindergartens). In addition, representatives of 19 municipalities expressed their vision on existing and ideal context of municipal governance in Ukraine. Improvement of legislation, enhancing transparency and dialogue between local authorities and communities, fiscal decentralisation were among top priorities for improving the context of local governments in Ukraine.
The participants learned and practiced application of gender-based analysis in course of the training “Gender-based Analysis for Local Development Programs” conducted by trainer Olena Suslova, Head of Women’s Information Consultative Centre. The participants analysed the Law of Ukraine on Equal Rights and Opportunities of Women and Men in context of responsibilities of local self-government bodies for implementation of the Law. The working groups developed the proposals to be included in local programs for gender mainstreaming in Ukraine.
UNDP/MGSDP was initiated in 2004 for promoting democratic governance to improve the living qualities of people in Ukraine's urban areas within the framework of community self-empowerment and public-private partnership. The Programme cooperates with local communities of citizens, academia, small businesses and civil society organizations in 22 municipalities across Ukraine and other partners in private and public sectors at the local level helping them implement sustainable development mechanisms. In 2008 alone, UNDP/MGSDP supported 28 local community projects with a total cost of UAH 3,092 mn. During 2008, 35 human resource activities were organised including trainings, exposure visits and conferences which enhanced capacities of 1,216 people (451 female and 590 men).
For more details, please, contact Galyna Gulenko, Monitoring and Communications Officer of UNDP/MGSDP, by tel. 
+38 (044) 501 4203
or via e-mail: galyna.gulenko@undp.org.ua.
+38 (044) 501 4203or via e-mail: galyna.gulenko@undp.org.ua.
