A public discussion titled "Building Integrity in Ukrainian Cities: The Example of Mykolaiv and Other Cities" took place in Kyiv. The event brought together mayors of Ukrainian cities, international partners, and good governance experts to present concrete achievements in integrity and transparency made by cities with the support of the European Union Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI).
The event was opened by the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova. In her welcoming remarks, she emphasised the role of local self-governance in bringing Ukraine closer to the EU and noted the progress that EUACI partner cities have achieved despite wartime challenges.
Kasper Mølbæk Jacobsen, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Denmark in Ukraine, also delivered welcoming remarks. In his speech, he noted that integrity is more than the absence of corruption — it is a culture of accountability, openness, and respect for the rules.
Serhii Derkach, Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, emphasized that cooperation between the state and cities works both ways: cities not only implement changes locally but also provide the state with ready-made solutions for scaling.
During the event, Dmytro Yakymchuk, Head of the Integrity Cities Component, spoke about the activities of the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative in partner cities and approaches to working with integrity. Cooperation with cities began in 2018, and the Programme currently has seven partner cities: Zhytomyr, Mariupol, Nikopol, Sheptytskyi, Chernivtsi, Mykolaiv, and Poltava.
During this time, the cities have progressed from corruption risk assessments to systemic changes: they approved and are implementing Integrity Plans, established effectively functioning internal audit departments, launched geographic information systems and electronic reception offices, introduced corporate governance and KPI systems for municipal enterprises, and changed the rules for technical supervision of construction.
The panel discussion featured representatives of partner cities: Andrii Zalivskyi, Mayor of Sheptytskyi; Oleksandr Saiuk, Mayor of Nikopol; Kateryna Yamshchykova, Acting Mayor of Poltava; Halyna Shymanska, Acting Mayor of Zhytomyr; and Yevhenii Makhovikov, Deputy Mayor of Chernivtsi. City leaders spoke about specific changes in their communities.
At the end of the event, a new format of cooperation between cities was presented — a community for exchanging experience and mutual support, which will be useful for those who want to adopt proven integrity practices and implement them locally. The first participants were Boiarka, Fastiv, Myrhorod, Khmelnytskyi, and Trostianets.
* More information at the link https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/ukraine/reforms-results-how-ukrainian-cities-build-integrity-governance-eu-support_en?s=232