On February 11-12, Ivano-Frankivsk hosted the final stage of training for local government officials from territorial communities in the region in the format of a seminar-practicum "Education Development in Territorial Communities." As part of her visit to Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, Valentyna Poltorak, DECIDE Project Manager, met with Svitlana Onyshchuk, Head of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration, to discuss the implementation of Project initiatives in the region.

On February 12, a monitoring session was held in Ivano-Frankivsk to review the interim results of the implementation of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Education Development Strategy for 2023-2027. The event brought together community leaders, local council members, educators, and members of the working group involved in developing the Strategy. Here are some key results: Preschool education: – the share of preschool educators under the age of 35 increased from 39% to 42%; – cov

How is upper secondary education changing? Why will it become "profile-based"? What transformations should territorial communities expect, and are they ready for them? Valentyna Poltorak, Manager of the Swiss-Ukrainian DECIDE Project, which consistently supports these changes by providing practical and effective expert assistance, addressed these and other questions in an interview with the Destinations portal. "The transformation of upper secondary education involves the cre

On February 6-7, representatives of the Swiss Embassy in Ukraine and the DECIDE project team conducted a working visit to Poltava Region. The purpose of the visit was not only to familiarize themselves the implementation of the project in the region but also to share achievements and best practices in fostering educational development in partner communities and at the regional level. The embassy delegation, led by Simon Troller, Deputy Head of the Development Program in Ukrai

Odesa region has introduced an updated Recovery and Development Strategy until 2027—a roadmap for the region’s economic, social, and infrastructural revitalisation. The DECIDE project played an active role in shaping this strategic vision, providing expert support and methodological guidance. In collaboration with the Odesa Regional State Administration, the Swiss Embassy in Ukraine, and international partners, a realistic and flexible development plan was created. The Strate

A modern shelter has been opened at School No. 19 in Chernihiv, creating a truly safe and comfortable environment for students. This large-scale project was made possible through the "DECIDE: Reconstruction" initiative and co-financing from the city council. The total budget amounted to approximately 4.4 million UAH, with over 4.2 million UAH provided by the DECIDE project and around 164,000 UAH contributed by the local community. The 238 m² facility underwent a full renovati

On 27 January, the Ukrainian Crisis Media Centre hosted the eleventh public dialogue in the "Decentralisation in Action" series. The event brought together experts, representatives of government agencies, international programmes, and local communities to discuss the role of data in transforming governance decisions and community life. Participants explored key issues, including: – digitalisation of data collection processes; – the role of data in decision-making; – challenge

On 27-28 January, the second and final stage of training for representatives of Luhansk Region’s territorial communities took place in Kyiv. These two days provided an opportunity for active dialogue and experience sharing. Participants engaged with Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, Nadiia Kuzmychova, and experts to discuss key issues related to education management in the face of current challenges. During the meeting with Nadiia Kuzmychova, discussions fo

On 23 January, a public discussion on the implementation of the upper secondary education reform took place in Chernivtsi. Chernivtsi Region has already developed a prospective plan for the network of educational institutions, taking into account the region’s demographic and geographical characteristics. The plan envisions 98 institutions providing upper secondary education: 62 academic lyceums and 36 institutions of vocational and professional pre-tertiary education. The doc

Until recently, the shelter at Lyceum No. 1 in Podilsk, Odesa region, was unfit for use. However, thanks to the efforts of the local community and support from the DECIDE project, this protective facility has been given a new life. It is now more than just a shelter—it has become a modern educational space. As part of the "DECIDE:VIDBUDOVA" initiative, the shelter has undergone a complete transformation. Covering an area of 400 m², the renovated space now provides comfort and