The results of the 2020 Rankings clearly demonstrated that the high level of transparency of cities is not always supported by the practical ability of citizens to influence the development and implementation of managerial decisions of local authorities.

To help city councils increase transparency and accountability, a team of analysts from the Transparent Cities program has developed a range of practical recommendations. What should local authorities do first?

1. Adapt websites to the needs of community residents, make them more accessible, in particular provide intuitive access to the main sections, create a convenient search system for regulations, news, and announcements.
2. Implement the ready-to-use electronic tools meant to simplify the development and use of complex technical solutions, such as the EDEM platform, the Ukrainian public websites design system, the Open Data Portal, DOZORRO, etc.
3. Adapt local processes to distancing requirements during the pandemic. For example, public hearings can be conducted via video conversations, community residents should have an opportunity to ask questions before a meeting remotely, and a platform can be created to register children to schools and pre-school establishments.
4. Ensure unhindered access to local self-government meetings for citizens and journalists in compliance with quarantine requirements. Eliminate formal obstacles to citizens' participation in meetings of bodies.
5. Adopt a code of ethics (or a relevant section in another regulatory legal act) of city council members, as well as local government officials and municipal enterprise workers. The code of ethics should contain the principles of non-discrimination and gender equality, as well as provide for sanction mechanisms in case of violation of provisions by its subjects.
6. Publish draft decisions and full agendas of city council and executive committee meetings in a timely manner;
7. Conduct public discussions on issues important to the community, including the budget, rates for services provided by municipal enterprises and institutions, and other regulatory acts.
8. Publish up-to-date reports of municipal enterprises and publicly submit reports, as well as information on contracts and payments on the Unified Web Portal for the Use of Public Funds.
9. Create a geoportal of the city. Develop and publish interactive maps with a master plan, zoning plans, detailed plans of territories, as well as the location of advertising structures and a comprehensive scheme of temporary structures.
10. Register a profile on the public procurement portal DOZORRO and adopt a regulatory legal act which obliges procuring entities under the city council to respond to citizen appeals and reviews.

Please note that according to the results of the study, each city received individual practical recommendations from the program, the implementation of which will significantly increase the level of transparency/accountability and establish a dialogue between the authorities and society. You can learn more about the results of cities in the Rankings at the link.