Maksym Korniienko, a leader of the USAID/ENGAGE partner, City of Smart is an active Ukrainian, passionate about shaping a brighter future for his hometown of Sumy, located in northeastern Ukraine. Inspired by the ideals of Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity, he started volunteering in 2016, later shifting from grass root activism to professional engagement in civil society organization (CSO). After the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Maksym and his team intensified efforts to address crucial wartime challenges and communicate the community’s evolving needs to local authorities.
When Maksym joined the CSO “Center for Social Partnership” in 2018, he understood the vital role of civil society in driving reforms and empowering local authorities. The CSO was part of the Sumy Reform Platform coalition, a union of 10 local organizations dedicated to addressing urgent issues in Sumy and strengthening connections between society, business, and local government.
“It is crucial to transition from confrontation with authorities to constructive efforts for effective cooperation and city development. We must not just critique actions of authorities, but also offer solutions and actively contribute to their implementation,” believes Maksym.
In 2022, in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the coalition expanded its efforts to address critical wartime challenges. To counter Russia’s imperialism and promote decolonization and de-Russification, activists initiated a campaign advocating for the renaming of streets, alleys, and squares in the city, which were previously named after Russian and Soviet figures.
“Decolonizing toponyms goes beyond renaming streets; it embodies ideology, values, and priorities. A clear pro-Ukrainian/pro-European stance in toponymy signifies a defined direction of progress. Conversely, shared names, heroes, and monuments with Moscow indicate territories viewed as theirs by the colonizer (Russia),” emphasizes Maksym.
With the USAID/ENGAGE support, activists installed thirty billboards across the city, encouraging residents to engage with their deputies regarding street renaming in Sumy. These billboards directed people to the “Who’s My Deputy” platform, providing contact details, office addresses, and the option to send electronic messages to deputies, along with their voting records. In 2022, the organization’s advocacy efforts led to the successful renaming of approximately 211 streets in Sumy, change the name of seven local schools that previously honored Soviet Union heroes, and terminated the land plot rights of religious communities affiliated with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). The campaign garnered significant interest on social media, mass media, and through direct engagement with Sumy residents, reaching an estimated 500,000 potential viewers.
In May 2023, with guidance and support from USAID/ENGAGE, the Center for Social Partnership successfully merged with several partners from the “Sumy Reform Platform” into the NGO “City of Smart.” By strategically dividing operational sectors among former members of the coalition, this move enabled the organization to bolster advocacy efforts and civic monitoring campaigns in Sumy, ensuring a more coordinated approach.
“The support provided by USAID/ENGAGE has helped us to define our self-identity,” recalls Maksym.
The organization extended its advocacy for renaming streets and parks still honoring Russian and Soviet figures, not addressed in 2022. Throughout February 2024, a CSO-led outdoor campaign in Sumy, emphasizing the importance of decolonization on 52 city lights in downtown Sumy.
With support from USAID/ENGAGE, City of Smart developed an informative website, serving as both the organization’s introduction and a navigation hub for existing public participation tools. The website contains useful links to enhance citizen engagement and access to vital information, including analysis of officials’ declarations, a guide to state services for Sumy residents, instructions on NGO registration, and more.
Since winter 2023, the City of Smart launched a series of videos titled “Is it Okay?” Featuring various speakers, these videos address crucial topics for citizens and the city, aiming to spark discussions, advocate for change, and increase civic engagement. Topics include preserving cultural heritage during the war, wartime survival skills for civillians, mental health, and toponym decolonization. In January 2024, City of Smart launched a YouTube channel to improve communication with their audience. Within just a few months, they garnered over 1.6 thousand subscribers and more than 20,000 views.
“We listen to the community’s needs. Our strength lies in prompt response to current challenges, particularly during our regular public discussions with active Sumy residents.“
As a result of these efforts, the Sumy City Council the Decision approved decisions to rename 211 streets, change the name of 7 local schools that previously honored Soviet Union heroes, and terminated the land plot rights of religious communities affiliated with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). The campaign of renaming toponyms reached nearly 500,000 people through billboards and city lights.
In the future, City of Smart plans to launch a mini-grant competition for proactive citizens with impactful ideas who face financial barriers. “We aim to foster valuable civic initiatives by providing not just mentorship and expertise, but also financial support,“ says Maksym.
Maksym believes that ordinary residents are the ones who drive city policy and development by electing officials who manage communal resources like the city budget and property. “Each of us shapes the future of our city. The role of the City of Smart is to foster this engagement, providing active locals with the essential tools for meaningful participation, assisting them in gaining knowledge and opportunities to bring innovative ideas to life.”