On 14 May, the Head of the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine, Allan Pagh Kristensen, and Acting Mayor of Poltava, Kateryna Yamshchykova, signed a Memorandum of Understanding making Poltava an Integrity City of the EUACI. The Memorandum was signed in the presence of the Deputy Ambassador of Denmark.
This status will give Poltava access to a number of integrity and transparency tools of the EUACI and marks the beginning of a new chapter for the city.
“It’s important to me that the EUACI team shares the belief that the city council is not a separate institution, but a tool for community influence. It is a service — open to businesses, residents, and civil society organizations. Through transparency, clear processes, and effective communication, we can gradually dismantle the barriers of mistrust that have been built up over decades,” emphasised acting Mayor of Poltava Kateryna Yamshchykova.
Poltava is now the newest partner of the Integrity Cities component — an EUACI-led initiative that helps Ukrainian municipalities implement modern standards of transparency and accountability.
“We fully understand and support the Mayor`s vision of working not just with the city council, but with the people of Poltava. We see this cooperation as a partnership with the entire city — including civil society, businesses, and other local actors,” said Allan Pagh Kristensen, Head of the EUACI.
In the near future, an Integrity Advisor to the City Mayor will be selected — an expert and project manager who will assist the city leadership in coordinating and driving the implementation of transparent and accountable governance practices. This advisor will serve as a key link between the city and the EUACI to help turn plans into results.
The EUACI welcomes Poltava as a new partner and looks forward to a fruitful cooperation.
