Poltava — partner region of DECIDE. Cooperation during Phase 2 to continue until 2030

In 2020, Poltava region was selected as a pilot region for the implementation of the Swiss-Ukrainian DECIDE Project. That is where a systematic partnership began between communities, the regional authorities and the Project's expert team, with the aim of developing modern, accessible, and high-quality education.

Today, this collaboration continues within Project Phase 2, running until 2030, and is opening up new opportunities for the development of education in the communities of the region.

Valentyna Poltorak, DECIDE Project Manager: ‘Poltava region has become one of the regions where, together with the communities, we have been able to show that reforms in education are, above all, about opportunities. It is about involving young people in decision-making, modern career guidance, the development of academic lyceums and strong communities that shape the future.’

The new partnership agreement provides for comprehensive support for the development of education in Poltava region, including:

• support for the implementation of the reform of specialised secondary education, the development of a network of academic lyceums, and advisory and grant support for communities;

• support for the implementation of vocational education reform;

• strengthening inter-municipal cooperation among communities to establish academic lyceums;

• support for updating regional development strategies with a focus on education;

• development of educational clusters and community cooperation in terms of educational services;

• development of a career guidance system for children and adolescents through partnerships between education, business, and authorities;

• internship programmes for young people in regional administrations and local governments;

• DECIDE Summer Clubs initiatives ‘We are at home – in Ukraine’;

• professional development programmes for community leaders, heads and staff of education management bodies in all communities of the region.

Over the years of cooperation, Poltava region has become one of the regions where new approaches to education management, strategic planning, and the development of civic education are emerging.

• 58 communities in the region have joined the national advisory campaign ‘Education in New Communities from A to Z’, which helps communities build an effective education management system.

• 82 representatives of local authorities have completed specialised training programmes on education management in communities.

Another important outcome of the collaboration is support for the strategic development of education in the region. With the Project’s expert support, the Strategy for the Development of Education in Poltava Region until 2027 was developed and is now implemented, alongside strategies for the development of communities and educational institutions.

Vitalii Diakivnych, Head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration, on the collaboration with the DECIDE project, ‘For Poltava region, the partnership with DECIDE is an important step towards developing education and supporting communities.

Thanks to this collaboration, we are receiving expert support in the implementation of education reform, the development of career guidance, and the creation of new opportunities for young people in the region.’

The DECIDE:VIDBUDOVA initiative has become a special direction, within which school bomb shelters have been renovated and modern educational centres and digital hubs established in five communities across the region. As a result, 2,926 schoolchildren have been given the opportunity to study in safe and comfortable conditions.

The development of civic education and youth participation is a key part of the Project. The ‘Learning to Live in the Community’ course is introduced in the schools of the region, which has already reached 1,394 schoolchildren, helping young people to better understand their community and learn to influence its development.

In these difficult times of war, DECIDE Summer Clubs and Winter Clubs also play a vital role, having already brought together over 2,580 children and nearly 400 teachers, creating a space for learning, socialising and support.

Support for vocational education reform and the development of career guidance for young people has become a priority. Through joint efforts with the region, career guidance hubs have been established, cooperation between education and business is evolving, and over 3,000 pupils in Grades 8–9 have already taken part in career guidance events and are studying the JOBS course in schools.

The experience of education, authorities, and business joining forces for the sake of children’s futures is already implemented by 22 communities in Poltava region within the framework of the National Career Guidance Pilot.

The next stage of joint work lies ahead. And we are certain that, together with the communities of Poltava region, we will continue to create an education system that opens up opportunities for every child.

The DECIDE project is implemented by NGO DOCCU and PHZH International Projects in Education with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine.

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