More than 100 community representatives heading to the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome took part in the “Preparatory Meeting for Communities and Civil Society Ahead of URC.”
The event was organized by the civic initiative “Holka” and the Center for Innovation Development.
Almost 250 people registered for the event, but due to technical limitations, not everyone could participate.
Iryna Fedoriv, Head of the “Holka” initiative, shared her surprise at the high turnout:
Iryna Fedoriv
Head of “Holka” civic initiative
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Even more surprising was discovering why the demand was so high. For more than half of the participants, the trip to Rome and participation in an event of this level will be their first experience. That’s why it’s especially important to support local self-government bodies that are trying to attract investors to projects aimed at developing communities and regions. I’m very happy that our language mentor, Kateryna Pokotylo, was able to assist the participants.
Ihor Dudar, Head of Chornobaivka Village Military Administration (Kherson region), emphasized the need for diplomatic English communication training for community representatives.
Kateryna Ivanchenko, Director of the Center for Innovation Development and consultant for international and territorial community projects, shared tips for effectively presenting public investment projects:
Kateryna Ivanchenko
Director of the Center for Innovation Development
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During the training, we focused on how communities can present their projects professionally and confidently at the international level. We emphasized that communities are equal partners who should offer prepared projects, a team, local support, and a clear understanding of needs. Investors expect specifics: numbers, impact, and action plans — not emotional appeals. That’s why it’s crucial to present the economic, social, and investment value of projects clearly, and follow every conversation with a concise follow-up presentation and proposal for next steps. This isn’t just etiquette — it’s the foundation of real partnerships and trust.”
Margarita Sytnik, co-founder of “Holka” and author of the “Bridges of Ukraine” project, who moderated the event, noted:
Margarita Sytnik
co-founder of “Holka” and author of the "Bridges of Ukraine" project
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We tried to comprehensively prepare community representatives not only for formal events at URC, but also for informal communication with potential foreign investors. Participants learned how to present their communities in English, engage in small talk, navigate intercultural communication, and follow communication etiquette, while also understanding the psychology of negotiation. This is key to building long-term ties with Western partners, including twinning between Ukrainian and European municipalities.
Alina Tsyrkuntseva from the Rubizhne City Military Administration (Luhansk region) said it was her first time attending such an event and that she received answers to her pressing questions.
Iryna Drahomaretska from Yarmolyntsi Town Council (Khmelnytskyi region) proposed holding such events more often:
Iryna Drahomaretska
representative of the Yarmolyntsi Town Council (Khmelnytskyi region)
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They explained complex issues like intermunicipal cooperation and intercultural communication in a simple and accessible way — and it’s not just about language skills. I’m grateful for the equality of the discussion and the quality of the presentations.
Nataliia Turianchyk from Mukachevo City Council (Zakarpattia) added
Nataliia Turianchyk:
representative of the Mukachevo City Council (Zakarpattia region)
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This was one of the best workshops. A good handshake is where a successful agreement begins. The advice we received will help us strengthen international cooperation. We especially appreciated the clarity of explanations and the open, friendly atmosphere. We hope this series of educational meetings will continue, especially focusing on diplomatic nuances and English for diplomacy — this is crucial for future partnerships.
Serhii Kushniruk from Novovolynsk City Council praised the training:
You shared invaluable experience that usually takes years to gain. We’re grateful to be part of this knowledge-sharing process and hope for future cooperation toward shared success.
All registered participants received a video recording, presentation, and materials to help present their communities more effectively in Rome. Representatives of “Holka” and the Center for Innovation Development will also attend URC and support community delegations.
The “Holka” initiative and the Center for Innovation Development plan to continue holding events at their Kyiv location (Yaroslaviv Val 33b). Lecture topics are available on the “Ministry of Magic” community workshop page. To receive updates, please fill out the subscription form.
The public initiative “Holka” and the Center for Innovation Development will hold a meeting for community representatives who will participate in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome. The event is practical in nature and aimed at preparing participants for communication with foreign partners.
