On 20 June, a networking-workshop was held in Chernihiv for leaders, coordinators and active participants of working groups on community engagement and recovery (WGCR), dedicated to the results of two years of activity.

Representatives of working groups from the communities of Chernihiv, Ivanivka, Mykhailo-Kotsiubynskyi, Ripky, Pryluky, Horodnia, and Nizhyn took part in the event. The participants jointly developed a vision for the further development of dialogue platforms as an effective tool for engaging citizens in the recovery process.

The dialogue panel was joined by the Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and Social Development at Chernihiv Polytechnic National University, Head of the ‘Centre for Gender Education’ NGO Olha Melnyk, who presented the results of the successfully implemented project ‘Women as Agents of Social Cohesion and Recovery in Communities,’ which was part of the thematic initiative ‘Funding Window: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.’ The project was implemented with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and financial support from the French Government.

Chernihiv Polytechnic National University is an active partner of communities, contributing to analytical support, sociological research and expert support. The university continues to promote dialogue between the authorities, the public and initiative groups as an important component of the region’s democratic development.

The event was held as part of the initiative ‘Building a Network of Working Groups on Public Safety and Recovery in Seven Territorial Communities of Chernihiv Region’, which is being implemented by the NGO ‘Chernihiv European’ within the framework of the flagship partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and the European Union (EU) ‘EU4Recovery – Empowering Communities in Ukraine’.

The opinions, comments, conclusions or recommendations expressed during the event belong to the authors/speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of UNDP, the UN, the European Union and/or other international partners