Safer communities start with dialogue and trust
April 17, 2026
Strengthening trust between communities and law enforcement is fundamental to building safer environments. As highlighted in the National Police Development Strategy 2026-2030, fostering partnerships, encouraging open dialogue, and promoting shared responsibility for safety remain key priorities.
EUAM Ukraine launched the Community Safety Dialogue (CSD) in Boiarka. The initiative began with a multi-stakeholder workshop that brought together representatives of local authorities, police, civil society, and the community.
“The CSD initiative advances community-oriented policing by strengthening cooperation between the police and the public, while encouraging citizens to take an active role in addressing safety challenges. It directly supports operational priorities such as partnership-building, public accountability, and joint security planning,” said Mans JENNEHAG, EUAM Ukraine Adviser on General Policing.
The workshop opened with a comprehensive overview by First Deputy Mayor Tetiana Kochkova of Boiarka, the situation in the community during the first months of the full-scale invasion, and the measures taken by the authorities to address the challenges at that time.
The workshop also featured a dedicated EUAM session on constructive communication, where participants received practical tools for facilitating dialogue, navigating sensitive discussions, and improving interinstitutional cooperation.
“Such meetings provide an opportunity to develop effective cross-sectoral communication, to learn how to listen and be heard, to raise important issues, and to jointly identify solutions that make the community safer for everyone,” considered Tetiana Kochkova.
The event helped develop a shared understanding of local safety challenges and demonstrated the effectiveness of structured dialogue as a practical mechanism for cooperation.
“By linking strategic priorities with local realities, the Community Safety Dialogue approach supports Ukrainian partners in building a safety environment grounded in trust, partnership, and shared responsibility – the foundations of resilient and secure communities,” said Marija Kazanovič, EUAM Adviser on Public Outreach.
