Some 140 representatives of NGOs and civic activists attended the event. The participants had open space discussions of 15 urgent problems of the region that they identified. They produced a list of specific interventions necessary to solve the problems.

The issues discussed include both the problems of Rivne city (for example, restoration of playgrounds for children, promotion of bike transport in Rivne, etc.) and the region (transparency and accountability of the government, digital governance, prevention of adolescent alcohol abuse, etc.).

The students were able to seek together with more experienced colleagues for the solutions of their own needs. In particular, they discussed the methods of eradicating bribery in the universities, establishing the order in student dormitories, promoting the activities of student self-governance bodies and improving their political awareness. "Developing young leaders of Rivne oblast" was also a point of interest.

The participants discussed how to receive high-quality communal services, improve energy efficiency of budget-funded facilities of the region and launch separate waste collection. Another issue is the problem of charitable donations (actually bribes) in kindergartens, schools and health care facilities of Rivne and other regions, and the activists were searching the ways to settle it. The topic "Introducing electronic diaries of school children" was quite a fresh item for discussion. In addition, the participants were also reflecting on the System that should change the System – it means, on the very essence of network society.

"I am happy that so many activists were engaged into the Forum. It is evident that more and more Rivne citizens are ready to settle their problems by themselves awaiting no gifts from the government. It is just a first step, but costs as the half of pace. Our next task is to practically implement all the endeavors", Sviatoslav Klichuk, the main initiator of the Forum says.

"It is high time the energy of community raised in the course of Maidan effectively applied to the solution of local problems, so that the positive attitude of citizens do not go out", Oleksii Horetskyi, Chair of Board of Rivne NGO "Committee of Voters of Ukraine" asserts. "Hence, the main aim of the Forum was to target this energy into positive direction. In the final evaluation, 100% of participants replied that such forums should take place in the future. In particular, the respondents noticed that such events should take place regularly, and the agenda should include presentation of the ideas of community that had been already implemented. In addition, more activists from other cities, topical experts, and governmental and local officials should take part in such events. It means that there are a lot of active citizens in Rivne oblast who are ready to search solutions to local problems. In order not to waste their energy, it is crucial that the local government make advances to such activists – not only it should hear their voices, but also get engaged into practical implementation of their ideas".

Mykhailo Kyryllov, the Head of Rivne Oblast Council, as also attended the press-conference. He demonstrated his positive attitude to the very Forum and to the initiatives of civic activists.

According to initiators of the Forum, the deliverables and proposals developed by activists will be available at the social networks – in particular, at the page of Civic Forum Rivnenshchyna on Facebook. In addition, the separate web-site will be possibly created so that everyone is able to contribute to this initiative.

The Forum was initiated by civic activists of Rivne oblast with assistance of Rivne Oblast Council. The organizational support was provided by Rivne NGO "Committee of Voters of Ukraine" with the support of UN Development Programme in Ukraine and Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.