The devolving of powers and financial resources, enhancement of decentralisation processes and development of regions still remain unchanged priorities for the Government of Ukraine, and now an issue of the responsibility of local authorities for the effective use of the provided resources has come to the forefront. Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman told during a meeting with Georg Milbradt, Special Envoy of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany on reforming Ukraine in the spheres of governanceand decentralisation . Georg Milbradt pays great attention to the progress of reforms in Ukraine and provides important advisory assistance in matters of legislative support to bring about necessary transformations.

“Decentralisation issues are of paramount importance,” said Volodymyr Groysman, adding that decentralisation results are tangible. Now the agenda includes the issues of land management by hromadas, in particular of land located outside settlements, as well as introduction of effective mechanisms for monitoring and supervising activities of amalgamated hromadas and responsibility of their leadership.
“We are talking about simplifying the amalgamation procedure aimed at creating capable hromadas,” emphasised Volodymyr Groysman, “We have found mechanisms for strengthening the capacity, transferred the financial resource, but responsibility is required. And here we need effective control mechanisms. Hence, I prefer matters of responsibility and supervision be put as the priority conditions while preparing the legislative framework.”

In response Georg Milbradt recognised Ukraine Government’s leadership in those processes.

Background
The decentralisation reform kicked off in 2014 has been and still remains one of the pivotal directions for the Government. According to the forecast, 2018 will become the year of formation of the basic level of local self-government. At present, 665 amalgamated hromadas (AH) are established in Ukraine, the Central Electoral Commission is to appoint first elections in 41 amalgamated hromadas.
The financial decentralisation has enabled hromadas to increase their budgets that resulted in the enhancement of local infrastructure, education and healthcare development.  Hence, during the period of 2015-2017, 4898 development projects were implemented in partnership of the country and AHs.
At the end of January, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has already found the best possible legal solution and is poised to start the process of transfer of the land located outside the boundaries of settlements into ownership of amalgamated hromadas. The State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre has been instructed to devolve power for land management to amalgamated hromadas. From February hromadas will be vested with the powers to regulate all land matters.