On October 23-24, 2024, Kyiv hosted a two-day training camp titled “Training Camp: Everything You Wanted to Know About the School Public Budget.” This event, focused on implementing the School Public Budget (SPB) in Ukrainian communities, was jointly organized by the Swiss-Ukrainian EGAP program and the Council of Europe project “Strengthening Resilience of Democratic Processes through Public Participation During War and Post-War Recovery.”
Over 100 representatives from schools and relevant departments of partner communities participating in the Council of Europe and EGAP projects attended. These communities – Berdychiv, Poltava, Magdalynivka, Balakliya, Savin, Rokytne, Shpolyany, and Stefanivka – had received expert-methodological support from the Council of Europe project in recent months to adapt the regulations for the School Public Budget to current realities.
During the two-day training camp, participants enhanced their knowledge and skills in:
Establishing an effective mechanism for developing the school community, forming aPupil Group, and a Competition Commission.
Understanding the key roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in organizing and conducting the SPB.
Utilizing innovative game mechanics from the Council of Europe project “UChange. School of Dreams” and digital tools for this purpose.
Learning the steps involved in submitting projects on the e-DEM platform and voting for them.
The event also showcased best practices for implementing the SPB during wartime. Experts from the ”Civil Society Development Forum” organization, along with trainers from the Zviahel and Solyany territorial communities (where SPB is already operational), shared their insights.
It’s worth noting that since the beginning of 2024, with expert-mentoring support from the Council of Europe project, SPB has been successfully implemented in nine Ukrainian communities: Fontansk, Yakushynetska, Zviahelska, Solyanska, Monastyryshchenska, Chornomorska, Yasinya, Brusylivska, and Suvorovska.
The Council of Europe emphasizes youth participation in local governance. The School Public Budget serves as a powerful tool for civic engagement, allowing students to decide how to allocate funds for school projects they create, promote their proposals, and gain a deeper understanding of the budgetary process.
Following the two-day event, participants will establish SPB in their schools and conduct three training workshops for other teachers. The goal is for students to develop and register at least 3-5 projects in the e-DEM system by December 2024. Students will then electronically vote to select winning projects that will be successfully implemented by the end of 2025.
The Council of Europe project “Strengthening Resilience of Democratic Processes through Public Participation During War and Post-War Recovery” is implemented by the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine within the framework of the adopted Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery, Reconstruction” for 2023-2026.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and SPB Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Anna Ivanova, an expert in educational budgeting and community participation, who recently participated in the two-day training camp in Kyiv focused on the School Public Budget (SPB). Thank you for joining us, Dr. Ivanova.
Dr. Ivanova: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here and share insights from the training camp.
Editor: Let’s dive straight in. The training camp took place at a remarkable time, amidst ongoing challenges in Ukraine. How significant do you think it is to implement the SPB in communities affected by war and recovery?
Dr. Ivanova: It’s incredibly significant. The SPB represents not just a financial framework, but a vital tool for enhancing local governance and empowering communities. Schools are a cornerstone in society, especially during recovery periods. By involving community members in budget discussions, we promote transparency and build trust, which is crucial in these challenging times.
Editor: Absolutely. I noticed that over 100 representatives from various partner communities attended the event. Can you tell us about the diversity of participants and how that contributes to the training’s success?
Dr. Ivanova: Yes, we had representatives from several communities including Berdychiv and Poltava, each with unique challenges and perspectives. This diversity allows for the sharing of best practices and lessons learned from one another. Each school has its own context and needs, so collaborative learning can lead to innovative solutions that are tailored specifically for local issues.
Editor: During the camp, participants enhanced their skills in establishing community mechanisms, forming a Pupil Group, and creating a Competition Commission. Can you elaborate on why these components are essential?
Dr. Ivanova: Establishing these mechanisms is critical for effective governance. A Pupil Group ensures that student voices are heard, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility among the youth. The Competition Commission is essential for ensuring fair selection processes for funding projects. Both elements promote participation from all stakeholders, which ultimately leads to more effective and relevant budgeting decisions that reflect community priorities.
Editor: That sounds like a robust framework for engagement. I understand that innovative game mechanics and digital tools were introduced during the training as well. How do these tools enhance the understanding and implementation of the SPB?
Dr. Ivanova: Innovative tools, like those used in the ”UChange. School of Dreams” project, make the learning experience more interactive and engaging. These methods help demystify complex budgeting processes and can foster teamwork and critical thinking among students and community members. Digital tools also streamline project submissions and voting processes, making participation more accessible and efficient.
Editor: Technology certainly seems to play a crucial role in modernizing these practices. Speaking of processes, could you walk us through the steps involved in submitting projects on the e-DEM platform?
Dr. Ivanova: Certainly! The e-DEM platform is user-friendly. First, community members can submit their project proposals online, detailing their objectives and budget. Once submitted, these projects undergo a review process by the Competition Commission, which assesses feasibility and community impact. the projects are put up for voting by the school community, allowing everyone to have a say in what initiatives receive funding.
Editor: That’s an impressive system! As we look to the future, what do you think the long-term benefits of the SPB approach will be for Ukrainian communities?
Dr. Ivanova: The long-term benefits are substantial. By building a culture of participation, communities will not only improve educational outcomes but foster a sense of citizenship and civic responsibility. As more voices contribute to decision-making processes, we can expect more equitable and effective use of resources, leading to stronger, resilient communities that can thrive, even in the wake of adversity.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ivanova, for sharing your insights and experiences from the training camp. It seems like a positive step towards rebuilding community ties and empowering future generations.
Dr. Ivanova: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important initiative! I believe that with continued efforts and community involvement, we can truly make a difference in the educational landscape of Ukraine.
Editor: We look forward to following the progress of the School Public Budget initiative. Thank you once again!