Dnipro City Council has postponed public hearings on the draft new Charter of the territorial community from October 14 to November 11, 2026. The notice on the council’s website states that the change was made in response to a letter from Transparency International Ukraine.

Transparency International Ukraine had earlier asked Mayor Borys Filatov to reschedule the hearings. The draft Charter was published on October 5, with the hearings initially set for October 14, just nine days later. Dnipro’s current Charter, however, provides for a general 30-day notice period for public hearings.

The hearings will take place on November 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in a hybrid format, in person at the city council building and online. Proposals and comments on the draft may be submitted through November 6 inclusive or presented directly at the hearings.

“The community charter sets the rules of local democracy: how residents can initiate hearings, submit local initiatives, obtain information, take part in decisions, and hold the authorities to account. That is why both its content and the procedure for adopting it must be clear and open to the community itself,” says Olesia Koval, Transparent Cities Program Manager.

TI Ukraine has conducted a preliminary analysis of the draft Charter and its three annexes. Overall, the document reflects updated local self-government legislation and contains some positive changes, notably on the mayor’s reporting obligations.

However, analysts identified a number of provisions that could make it harder for residents to take part in local self-government. These include higher signature thresholds for initiating public hearings and local initiatives, additional procedural requirements, and restrictions on youth participation. In the experts’ view, some provisions also need to be checked for compliance with current legislation.

Transparency International Ukraine is preparing detailed recommendations on the draft Charter and will submit them to Dnipro City Council separately.