On 18 August, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, chaired by Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, presented the draft Government Action Programme. The document outlines six key areas of focus for the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories (Ministry for Development). These areas directly impact the daily operations of local self-government and regional policy.

1) Territorial cohesion – more tools for community cooperation

This is a key area for the audience of the Decentralisation portal. The focus is on

• Supervision of the legality of local self-government acts and clear delineation of powers within the decentralisation reform.
• Horizontal interaction between communities through the national ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder’ project.
• Support for communities through the State Fund for Regional Development, the Ukraine Recovery Programme and additional resources for frontline territories.
• Bringing regional policy closer to EU cohesion standards: reform of strategic planning and preparation for the use of European structural funds.

2) Regional recovery and support for frontline territories – return of people and basic services

Construction work is only part of the process; the full restoration of life is also essential:

• comprehensive restoration of localities;
• compensation for destroyed housing for owners from temporarily occupied territories;
• comprehensive support for frontline territories – from infrastructure to social services;
• special regime for frontline territories;
• energy-efficient restoration of residential buildings.

3) Attracting investment in recovery – partnership with business and donors

The goal is to transform reconstruction into an investment project for communities:

• creation of the Recovery Fund;
• new intergovernmental (G2G) agreements for reconstruction;
• at least $1.5 billion in foreign investment in 2025;
• preparation of PPP projects in infrastructure and water supply;
• a business coordination council for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Other important areas of focus for the Ministry for Development (brief overview)

• Supply chain security: +15% increase in border capacity and stability of the ‘grain corridor’.
• Infrastructure for development: modern border infrastructure, investment reform of water supply/sewerage, energy efficiency in educational institutions, updated building codes and simplification of procedures, involvement of IFIs/technical assistance.
• Modern transport and logistics: strengthening the Agency for Restoration, financial stability of Ukrzaliznytsia, European standards on railways, PPP in the port of Chornomorsk, reform of road transport, Eurostandard gauge Chop–Uzhhorod, introduction of the Maritime Single Window.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko called on experts and the public to join the discussion of the Draft Government Action Programme, presented today, and submit proposals via the link below within the next 10 days: https://bit.ly/3UyeQQ1.