Integrity in communications means being upfront with residents, showing where money goes, admitting mistakes, and explaining decisions honestly, even unpopular ones. That kind of openness is what actually earns public trust, more than any single campaign or slogan.
These were the main ideas discussed by over 30 communications and press officers of Integrity Cities, partner cities, and municipal enterprises during a training organised by the EUACI to strengthen cities’ capacity to communicate integrity reforms and build public trust.
The programme ran for three days in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytskyi region, complemented by two additional online sessions. A significant part focused on anti-crisis communications. Experts shared their own experience handling difficult situations, combined with case work in groups to practise responding to crises.
The training programme also covered:
- Communication strategy for cities and measuring its effectiveness;
- Tone of voice and audience communication, drawing on cases from Vinnytsiaoblvodokanal;
- AI tools for text, images, and video;
- Making integrity an actual ingredient of city communications;
- Copywriting and creative communication.
“The training spoke directly to participants’ day-to-day work, combining real cases with hands-on exercises. Beyond practical skills, the training gave communications professionals from different cities a space to exchange experience and build a network around shared challenges — how to talk about reforms, handle negativity, and keep residents’ attention. It was organised by the EUACI at partners’ request, as part of broader support to strengthen transparency, accountability and integrity in local governance,” shared Yana Ryzak, the EUACI Team Lead on Communication and Education.
