Decentralization Offering Better Results and Efficiency (DOBRE) Quarterly Report January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018

The project began on June 8, 2016, and is set to conclude on June 7, 2021. DOBRE is led by Global Communities, an international non-governmental organization with expertise in improving local governance and communities. The project's consortium partners include SocialBoost, Ukrainian Crisis Media Center, Foundation in Support of Local Democracy, Malopolska School of Public Administration at the Krakow University of Economics, and National Democratic Institute. DOBRE operates in seven oblasts: Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Mykolayiv, and Ternopil. The project's primary objective is to strengthen the bond between citizens and their local government, provide technical assistance, and co-finance priority projects. DOBRE aims to maximize USAID's investment by directly working in selected communities and providing best practices and models for local governance. The project's methodology involves providing technical assistance and co-financing support for identified priority projects. DOBRE also focuses on strengthening education and professional development opportunities in public administration, elevating gender equity, and promoting women's empowerment. The project's communications strategy is led by the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center, which aims to strengthen public awareness of the benefits of decentralization and train stakeholders in effective communications. Key achievements during the reporting period of January 1, 2018, to March 31, 2018, include the completion of a needs assessment in the selected oblasts, the development of a project implementation plan, and the establishment of a project management team. The project also conducted a series of focus group discussions and key informant interviews to gather information on the needs and priorities of local communities. DOBRE's program progress is monitored and evaluated through a set of indicators, including the number of communities that have adopted participatory budgeting, the number of local government officials who have received training in public administration, and the number of citizens who have participated in community engagement activities. The project's cross-cutting issues include environmental compliance, donor and host country coordination, and administrative issues. The DOBRE project has several deliverables, including the development of a project implementation plan, the establishment of a project management team, and the completion of a needs assessment in the selected oblasts. The project also aims to establish a robust communications strategy that strengthens public awareness of the benefits of decentralization and trains stakeholders in effective communications. DOBRE's best practices include the use of participatory budgeting, the establishment of community engagement teams, and the provision of technical assistance to local government officials. The project's donor and host country coordination involves regular meetings with USAID and the Government of Ukraine to ensure alignment with national priorities and strategies. The DOBRE project faces several challenges, including the need to build the capacity of local government officials, the need to increase citizen participation in community engagement activities, and the need to ensure environmental compliance. The project's responses to these challenges include the provision of technical assistance to local government officials, the establishment of community engagement teams, and the development of an environmental compliance plan.