Microproject I. Research on the Educational Needs of Rural Communities

Microproject: "Civic Education as a Key to Local Development"

I. Research on the Educational Needs of Rural Communities (August – December 2018)

Project Goal

The goal of this microproject was to enhance the civic competencies of residents in Mahala and Ostritsa UTCs to help them address socio-economic and cultural-educational challenges in their communities. The project aimed to engage a broad spectrum of the population in the preparation, adoption, and oversight of governance decisions.

Microproject Objectives

1. Assess the educational needs of adult residents of Mahala and Ostritsa United Territorial Communities (UTCs) in Chernivtsi Oblast.
2. Develop two civic education programs based on the needs analysis of the target groups in Mahala and Ostritsa UTCs.
3. Explore opportunities for implementing civic initiatives in Mahala and Ostritsa UTCs.

Target Groups

The microproject was geographically focused on Mahala and Ostritsa UTCs in Chernivtsi Oblast, with which the Public Resources and Initiatives Charitable Foundation (CF) signed Memorandums of Cooperation in Adult Education in 2018. These agreements were made in partnership with:

• The German Adult Education Association (DVV International Ukraine)
• The Ukrainian Association of Adult Education (NGO)

The unique feature of these communities is their mixed ethnic composition—with a predominantly Ukrainian, Romanian, and Moldovan population, where ethnic minorities form the majority, and the titular nation (Ukrainians) is a minority within the UTCs.

Research Process (September – November 2018)

Educational needs assessments were conducted in Mahala (Novoselytskyi District) and Ostritsa (Hertsaivskyi District) UTCs, targeting two key groups:

• Women from different ethnic groups in Mahala and Ostritsa UTCs.
• Local government representatives and active citizens of Mahala and Ostritsa UTCs.

Key Research Findings

1. Women from Different Ethnic Groups in Mahala and Ostritsa UTCs

• The research revealed a low level of knowledge and experience in democratic participation, which hindered civic engagement.
• Women rated their ability to influence governance processes significantly lower (17.5%) compared to the general population (40.8%).
• The primary motivation for women to pursue civic education was personal transformation and self-improvement, rather than social activism.
• As a result, the education program was designed to focus on personal development, along with political-legal, economic, and socio-cultural training.

2. Local Government Representatives and Active Citizens in Mahala and Ostritsa UTCs

• A lack of communication between local authorities and the population was identified.
• There was a strong demand for greater public involvement in governance, particularly in budget allocation and decision-making processes.
• 58% of surveyed residents expressed dissatisfaction with their ability to influence local council decisions.
• This finding underscored the need for a "Basic Course on Effective Governance and Participation" to improve civic engagement and communication between the authorities and the community.
• There was also a high demand for training in:

• • Attracting investments and developing international cooperation

  • Effective communication with the public and media

  • Project management and governance

Regional Round Table on Adult Education (November 22, 2018, Chernivtsi)

As part of the project, a regional round table titled "Strengthening Community Development Through Adult Education" was organized to:

• Raise awareness about the importance of adult education in local socio-economic development.
• Discuss collaboration opportunities between local authorities and other stakeholders to support adult education programs.

During the event, a Memorandum of Cooperation in Adult Education was signed between:

• The Public Resources and Initiatives Charitable Foundation
• The German Adult Education Association (DVV International Ukraine)
• The Ukrainian Association of Adult Education (NGO)
• Mahala and Ostritsa Village Councils

Conclusion

The research findings guided the development of tailored civic education programs, ensuring they address the real needs of community members. The project laid a solid foundation for further civic engagement initiatives in Mahala and Ostritsa UTCs.