In 2019, 106 amalgamated hromadas took part in the budget transparency assessment. It is not easy to select the best ones. However, the assessment is based on a sound methodology and is backed up by data. The methodology developed by the Eastern Europe Foundation together with the Public Partnership “For Transparent Local Budgets!” in cooperation with the Association of Ukrainian Cities with the financial support of the European Union. The same methodology was used last year. It gives an understanding of what a perfectly transparent budget process is, and an answer to what level of budget transparency certain hromadas currently have. But most importantly, the assessment process works as a tool to promote budget transparency and achieve an “ideal picture of the future”. It creates conditions for public discussion of the budget, strengthens public control over local finances and trust of residents in the authorities.

The methodology consists of 36 criteria, which assess all stages of the budget process. For each criterion, there are 2 to 6 questions with a possible yes or no answer. 2 new criteria have been added to the questionnaire this year regarding the gender budgeting approach. In total each questionnaires contains 142 questions. All stages of the budget process are assessed for compliance with three parameters: (1) openness of information, (2) transparency of decision-making and citizen engagement, as well as (3) application of innovative practices. The score is calculated by the number of points – one for the question with “yes” and zero for the question with “no”. Some questions may be answered in part. Hromadas that took part in the assessment completed the questionnaire responding to the questions and providing supporting documents. Their answers were added to “Assessment of local budget transparency” online system and verified by the experts of the Partnership “For Transparent Local Budgets”. The result was calculated automatically in the online system. The winner of the top nominations will be the hromadas that have scored the most in three parameters. And the main award – Crystal of the Year – will go to the hromada that has the highest overall score.

In addition to the major nominations, the joint team of USAID DOBRE and U-LEAD with Europe Programmes selected a number of special nominations to award hromadas that have demonstrated good budget transparency practices in particular aspects of budget transparency. These nominees were also determined by the sum of points over the selected criteria. Please find below the list of nominees – the top five hromadas in the main and special nominations, in alphabetical order. These are 32 hromadas from 13 oblasts that are already the best in Ukraine in the respective categories of budget transparency. At the Crystal of the Year Gala Event on 19 November, we will find out which of them will receive an award in each of the nominations!

Special nominations.

“The best budget for citizens”:

Mykulynetska AH (Ternopil Oblast), Nizhynska AH (Chernihiv Oblast), Novoprazka AH (Kirovohrad Oblast), Tarakanivska ah (Rivne Oblast), Voznesenska AH (Mykolayiv Oblast).

“The most creative information campaign for collecting proposals to the budget”:

Dmytrivska AH (Kirovohrad Oblast), Hrechanopodivska ah (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast), Lanovetska AH (Ternopil Oblast), Novoprazka AH (Kirovohrad Oblast), Voznesenska AH (Mykolayiv Oblast).

“The most active hromada in the anti-corruption tools adoption”:

Dunayevetska AH (Khmelnytskyi Oblast), Nizhynska AH (Chernihiv Oblast), Troyitska AH (Luhansk Oblast), Ust-Putylska AH (Chernivtsi Oblast), Vyzhnytska AH (Chernivtsi Oblast)

“The best newcomer to budget transparency”:

Khoroskivska AH (Ternopil Oblast), Lanovetska AH (Ternopil Oblast), Orikhivska AH (Zaporizhzhia Oblast), Smolinska AH (Kirovohrad Oblast), Voznesenska AH (Mykolayiv Oblast)

“The best hromada in gender responsive budgeting”:

Baranynska AH (Zakarpattia Oblast), Chmyrivska AH (Luhansk Oblast), Nemyrivska AH (Vinnytsia Oblast), Oleksandrivska AH (Mykolayiv Oblast), Sofiyivska AH (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast).

“Breakthrough in budget transparency”:

Baikovetska AH (Ternopil Oblast), Buzka AH (Mykolayiv Oblast), Verkhnyans'ka AH (Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast), Vyshnivets'ka AH (Ternopil Oblast), Tsarychanska AH (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast)

The best hromadas in the nomination for Participatory Audit Implementation will be announced at the ceremony.

Main nominations.

“For openness of budget information in the hromada”:

Bashtanska AH (Mykolayiv Oblast), Dunayevetska AH (Khmelnytskyi Oblast), Malovyskivska AH (Kirovohrad Oblast), Nemyrivska AH (Vinnytsia Oblast), Tulchynska AH (Vinnytsia Oblast)

“The best involvement of citizens in the hromada budget process”:

Bashtanska AH (Mykolayiv Oblast), Chmyrivska AH (Lugansk Oblast), Muzykivska AH (Kherson Oblast), Shumska AH (Ternopil Oblast), Slobozhanska AH (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast)

“The most innovative practices of budget transparency in hromada”:

Chmyrivska AH (Luhansk Oblast), Ivanivska AH (Ternopil Oblast), Lanovetska AH (Ternopil Oblast), Mykulynetska AH (Ternopil Oblast), Tsarychanska AH (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast).

Crystal of the Year – 2019:

Bashtanska AH (Mykolayiv Oblast), Chmyrivska AH (Luhansk Oblast), Nemyrivska AH (Vinnytsia Oblast), Slobozhanska AH (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast), Vyshnivets'ka AH (Ternopil Oblast).

Crystal of the Year Award and budget transparency assessment in 2019 is a joint effort of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the consortium of USAID/DOBRE Program implementers, European Union and its five member states Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark and Estonia through the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, and the public coalition “For Transparent Local Budgets!” The local budget transparency index and its assessment methodology is developed by East Europe Foundation in partnership with public coalition “For Transparent Local Budgets!” in cooperation with the Association of Ukrainian Cities supported by European Union.