Introducing Deliberative Democracy Mechanisms (UA0120)

Strengthening Civic Participation through the Introduction of Deliberative Democracy Mechanisms

Civic participation is an important component of democratic processes in Ukraine, including during martial law. In particular, during 2022-2025, as part of the implementation of the Open Government Partnership Initiative and the National Strategy for Promoting the Development of Civil Society in Ukraine for 2021-2026, approved by Presidential Decree No. 487 dated 7 September 2021, legislation on civic participation at the level of local communities, as well as legislation on public consultations during the development and implementation of public policies and the resolution of issues of local importance, has been improved.

At the same time, to further develop democratic processes, it is important to expand the range of mechanisms and tools for civic participation and to study and implement the standards and best practices of international organisations, the European Union and its Member States.

In accordance with Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)4 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to Member States on deliberative democracy of 21 March 2018, the governments of Member States are recommended to recognise that deliberative processes, when properly conducted, can complement representative democracy and help expand opportunities for citizens to contribute to the development of policies and legislation. At the European Union level, the importance of deliberative discussions is recognised, in particular, in European Commission Recommendation C(2023) 8627 of 12 December 2023 on promoting the engagement and effective participation of citizens and civil society organisations in public policy-making processes. Furthermore, the promotion and implementation of deliberative democracy tools are envisaged by the Roadmap on the Functioning of Democratic Institutions, approved by Order No. 475 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 14 May 2025.

Executive authorities and local self-government bodies in Ukraine have certain experience in using deliberative tools to organise public consultations involving specific procedures to ensure informed participation, the exchange of views, consideration of different perspectives, and consensus- building. In particular, in 2024–2025, with the support of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine and the BRIDGE project, public assemblies were held in Zviahel, Slavutych and Zhytomyr, while, with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation, a citizens' panel was held in Konotop. Additionally, certain deliberative tools are used during facilitated public consultations organised by the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and various executive authorities.

However, such experience is sporadic, and most executive authorities and local self-government bodies lack the knowledge and skills needed to implement deliberative democracy mechanisms.

In view of the above, it is planned to continue piloting deliberative discussions in Ukraine and, taking into account the findings of an analysis of relevant experience, to organise training on the use of deliberative tools for representatives of executive authorities, local self-government bodies and relevant civil society organisations.

The expected outcomes of these measures are:

further public consultations using deliberative democracy tools in Ukraine have been organised;

the dissemination of knowledge and guidance on deliberative democracy among civil servants, local self-government officials and members of the public has been ensured;

proper conditions for the implementation of international standards and best practices in deliberative democracy in Ukraine, as well as the relevant recommendations of the European Commission and the Council of Europe and the objectives set out in the Roadmap on the Functioning of Democratic Institutions, have been created.

Milestones Table:

Steps
1. Holding a pilot public assembly at local level
Responsible agency: Lviv City Council (subject to consent) other local self-government bodies (subject to consent)
Completion time/period: during 2026
Partners: all-Ukrainian associations of local self-government bodies (subject to consent) Council of Europe Office in Ukraine (subject to consent) other international organisations, development partners engaged in international technical assistance projects (programmes) (subject to consent) educational institutions (subject to consent) civil society organisations (subject to consent)
Delivery indication: A public assembly has been held

2. Organising information and training events aimed at raising awareness of deliberative democracy tools, in particular domestic and international experience in conducting public assemblies
Responsible agency: Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
Completion time/period: during 2026-2027
Partners: Council of Europe Office in Ukraine (subject to consent) BRIDGE project, implemented by Kyiv School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam, University of Tartu, Technical University of Berlin and the Center for Innovation Development (subject to consent) other international organisations, development partners engaged in international technical assistance projects (programmes) (subject to consent) educational institutions (subject to consent) civil society organisations (subject to consent)
Delivery indication: An awareness-raising event was held for representatives of central executive authorities and regional and Kyiv City state (military) administrations; awareness-raising and training events were held for representatives of civil society organisations, experts and other stakeholders.

3. Organising information and training events in the regions aimed at raising awareness of deliberative democracy tools, in particular domestic and international experience in conducting public assemblies
Responsible agency: Oblasts and Kyiv City state (military) administrations
Completion time/period: during 2027
Partners: All-Ukrainian associations of local self-government bodies (subject to consent) Council of Europe Office in Ukraine (subject to consent) BRIDGE project, implemented by Kyiv School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam, University of Tartu, Technical University of Berlin and the Center for Innovation Development (subject to consent) other international organisations, development partners engaged in international technical assistance projects (programmes) (subject to consent) educational institutions (subject to consent) civil society organisations (subject to consent)
Delivery indication: At least one awareness-raising and training event (presentation, meeting, webinar, seminar, etc.) has been held in each region for representatives of local self-government bodies and civil society organisations

4. Development of an online course on deliberative democracy
Responsible agency: Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service Ministry of Digital Transformation
Completion time/period: December 2027
Partners: High School of Public Governance (subject to consent) The international charitable organisation East Europe Foundation (subject to consent) Council of Europe Office in Ukraine (subject to consent) BRIDGE project, implemented by Kyiv School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam, University of Tartu, Technical University of Berlin and the Center for Innovation Development (subject to consent) other international organisations, development partners engaged in international technical assistance projects (programmes) (subject to consent) educational institutions (subject to consent) civil society organisations (subject to consent)
Delivery indication: An online course on deliberative democracy and relevant European and domestic experience, aimed at civil servants, local self-government officials, representatives of civil society organisations and citizens, has been developed.