Cicero: Leadership Program
The IZOLYATSIA Foundation will conduct a training program for community leaders and activists focused on developing skills in political analysis, civic engagement, strategic planning, and public communication.
The program is based on the Cicero methodology. It comprises four modules aimed at helping participants more effectively represent the interests of their communities when interacting with government bodies, develop persuasive narratives and proposals, and speak confidently in public in the context of the current challenges faced by Ukraine’s cultural sector. Participants in the program include representatives of the Kramatorsk District State Administration, Soledar City Territorial Community, and specialized civil society organizations.
MODULE 1: Political Processes, Policy Development, and Leadership
Lecturer: Maryna Kulinich
This module will help participants understand how public decisions are made and how they can actively influence these processes. Participants will learn how political systems function at the local, regional, and national levels, who shapes policy, and why terminology and civic engagement matter. The second part of the module focuses on leadership—participants will identify their personal leadership style and develop skills necessary to act confidently in public settings.
MODULE 2: Participation Tools and Community Engagement
Lecturers: Yevheniia Bystrystka, Yulia Kakulia-Danyliuk
This module introduces practical tools for engaging communities in decision-making, fostering participation, and building trust. Participants will learn how to design inclusive processes, facilitate dialogue, and transform community needs into collective action. They will master methods ranging from participatory budgeting to citizens’ assemblies, and gain insights into effective stakeholder mapping, coalition building, and constructive conflict management.
MODULE 3: Narrative and Proposal Development
Lecturer: Maryna Kulinich
To advocate for change, leaders must be able to shape persuasive narratives and back them with strong, well-structured proposals. This module focuses on crafting clear, values-based messaging that resonates with both communities and decision-makers. Participants will practice writing proposals that link real needs to achievable solutions, learn to frame issues effectively, and create strategic narratives for maximum impact.
MODULE 4: Public Speaking and Rhetoric
Lecturer: Veronika Selega
Confidence in public speaking is not about performance but about clarity, authenticity, and the ability to connect. This final module will help participants strengthen their voice, speak convincingly, and communicate ideas in ways that inspire action. Emphasis will be placed on ethical persuasion, constructive dialogue, and using language as a tool for unity rather than division. Participants will learn techniques for voice and breath control, body language, and strategies to overcome stage fright.
ABOUT THE LECTURERS
Maryna Kulinich — PhD in Geography, regional development expert. Former government expert on regional policy at the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications. She specializes in cultural decentralization, spatial planning, and modernization of community cultural infrastructure.
Yevheniia Bystrystka — Director of large-scale creative projects with over 20 years of experience. Regional expert in the implementation of UNESCO Conventions, certified expert by the British Council's Oxford School of Creative Economy. Her focus is on the creative economy as a tool for territorial recovery and community cohesion.
Yulia Kakulia-Danyliuk — Cultural manager, head of the library in the village of Kapytiivka in Kharkiv region, and laureate of the “UP 100” award in the “Culture” category. During the Russian occupation, she preserved the library's book collection from destruction. After de-occupation, she transformed the rural library into a socio-cultural hub. She is a guardian of the memory of writer Volodymyr Vakulenko, who was killed by the occupiers, and initiated the creation of memorial spaces and the promotion of his work.
Veronika Selega — Communications expert, founder of the Kyiv-based rhetoric school “Aristotle,” and co-author of the book “So to Speak.” Former Director General of the Directorate for Internal and Humanitarian Policy at the Office of the President of Ukraine. She specializes in public speaking training, media communication, and argumentation techniques for leaders.
The CASCADE project is funded by the Swedish Institute and implemented by the East Hub subnetwork, part of Trans Europe Halles (Sweden), with coordination by project partners: the IZOLYATSIA Foundation (Ukraine) and Malý Berlín (Slovakia). Salaam Cinema (Azerbaijan) and Culture and Management Lab