The state of readiness for implementing the new legislation on service in local self-government bodies was discussed during the roundtable "Implementation of the Law of Ukraine No. 3077 "On Service in Local Self-Government Bodies". The National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service (NAUCS) organised the two-day event in cooperation with the USAID GOVERLA Project to strengthen coordination and raise awareness of the novelties and roadmap for implementing the new legislation on local government service.

Nataliia Aliushyna, the Head of the NAUCS, and Halyna Semenets, the Local Government Capacity-Building Component Leader of the USAID GOVERLA Project, made welcome remarks at the opening of the roundtable. 

"Without a successful and professional service in local self-government, it is difficult to talk about a successful community. Without professionals in their places, it is in vain to hope for rapid community development. Especially in the conditions in which our country lives. So for me, this law is more than just about service in local self-government. It will really work for the benefit of territorial communities and will have a positive impact on the openness and transparency of local governments, their efficiency and results," said Nataliia Aliushyna.

Halyna Semenets, the Head of the USAID GOVERLA Component II, said: "Significant legislative changes in the service in local self-government bodies require support in its practical implementation. This includes extensive training activities, mentoring, explanations and methodological recommendations.  We are sure that together with the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service we will establish this work systematically. The project's main objective is to increase the institutional capacity of local self-government bodies and officials to fulfil their statutory powers. This will allow local self-government bodies to effectively implement the novelties of the updated legislation on service." 

During the roundtable, the participants reviewed the novelties of Law No. 3077 and discussed its provisions, which raise the most questions among local self-government officials. They jointly developed proposals and recommendations on ways to improve the work with local self-government bodies on the implementation of the new legislation and discussed the Interactive Commentary to Law №3077.

In the format of facilitated discussions and group work, representatives of the NAUCS, interregional departments of the NAUCS, regional training centres, all-Ukrainian associations of local self-government bodies, the USAID GOVERLA Project, etc. exchanged views and their vision of the updated legislation on the legal status of local self-government officials, service management in local self-government, admission to service and the procedure for conducting a competitive procedure, personnel reserve, professional development of local self-government employees, disciplinary responsibility and termination of employment. 

"Over the past few years, we have held more than one event with our partners on the development of local self-government. First, there were events to advocate for the draft law. After its adoption by the Parliament, we met to develop ways to implement it. In order to unite the vision and experience of various stakeholders - from politicians to representatives of local self-government bodies - we at the NAUCS created the Coordination Centre for the Implementation of the Law "On Service in Local Self-Government Bodies". This means that step by step, we are not only preparing the subordinate legislation but also uniting with partners to be on the same page and provide information and advocacy support to local self-government bodies for the successful implementation of the Law," said Nataliia Aliushyna.