Adoption of decentralisation laws that stimulate amalgamation and strengthen existing hromadas; sectoral decentralisation, in particular real projects’ implementation; training of leaders of AHs; development of intermunicipal cooperation and implementation of the principles of gender equality within local self-government. This is the route map of tasks to implement the reform in 2018, which should be jointly followed by MinRegion and all international projects and programmes of technical assistance to Ukraine. These tasks have been outlined today at the Donor Board meeting on decentralisation with the participation of the leadership of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, EU Delegation to Ukraine, Embassy of Germany in Ukraine, Swiss Cooperation Office, and representatives of the UNDP, OSCE, USAID, OECD, U-LEAD, GIZ, DESPRO, SIDA, DOBRE, PULSE, EDGE and others.

“Today, we have powerful support from international partners in the implementation of decentralisation. And for us, the main thing is international assistance and adoption of 17 draft laws on decentralisation by the Parliament. The adoption of these laws will open a window of opportunities for hromadas in terms of simplifying the conditions for voluntary amalgamation of hromadas and strengthening the powers of AHs through the transfer of managerial functions. It will result in more hromadas established, increased powers and managerial functions, which, in the first place, lead to a qualitative change in the lives of Ukrainians,” said Hennadii Zubko, Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine and co-chairman of the Donor Board.

According to him, the priority draft laws on hromadas’ strengthening include the extension of powers of local self-government bodies in terms of land management and urban development.

“Today, about seven million people live in AHs and as many are willing to amalgamate. Amalgamated hromadas have already felt the benefits of the reform, since decentralisation is the only one of all the reforms already tangible. A lot of work has been done so far, but decision laying the foundation for hromadas are still ahead. This year we also have to move towards implementation of the projects for the development of the primary healthcare network, new educational space, administrative service centres, citizens' safety centres, pre-school education and sports infrastructure in hromadas,” stressed the Vice Prime Minister.

In his turn, Berend de Groot, Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, noted:

“It's important that people already appreciate the decentralisation reform, its results and achievements. Its further implementation and strengthening, including in the area of training of ​​hromadas’ leaders, result from the team work of all donor projects. Thus, we need to combine our efforts and move quickly.”

More data on the process of decentralisation is available in the Monitoring of MinRegion HERE