This was discussed during the Kherson International Economic Forum “Tavriyski Horyzonty” (“Tavria Horizons”) during the discussion platform “AH – Prospects for Investments”, moderated by Markiyan Datsyshyn, project coordinator of the NGO “Civil Society Institute”.

“Decentralisation is the most effective reform of Ukraine, due to it, 30 amalgamated hromadas have already been formed in the Kherson Oblast, and their budgets now reach UAH 250 million,” pointed out Dmytro Butriy, Director of the Department of Economic Development and Trade of theOblast State Administration.

He spoke about the decentralisation processes in the Kherson Oblast since 2015, when the first AH – the Kochubeyivska AH – was formed. In course of these three years, the hromada has shown a high leap in local economy and infrastructure development.

Markiyan Datsyshyn made detailed description of the international technical assistance projects, which successfully involve Ukrainian hromadas and thus strengthen their own local budgets.

Serhiy Sharshov, Director of the Department for Local Self-Government and Territorial Organisation of MinRegion of Ukraine, emphasised that “Due to the laws “On Amalgamation of Hromadas” and “On Cooperation of Hromadas”, more than half of the state funds – 51% – are concentrated in local budgets. About 40% of Ukrainian territories are covered by AHs”.

In addition, attention was drawn to the establishment of administrative service centres in hromadas, that was described in detail by Maria Tyshchenko, coordinator of implementation of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme’s policy.

She told about the current Sida programme, in the framework of which AHs are selected to be provided with software and technical support for the establishment of ultra-modern ASCs and even mobile ASCs on wheels.

Thus, 6 hromadas from the Kherson Oblast have expressed their desire to participate in this programme and compete for the right to receive additional assistance in order to bring services closer to the population.

Besides, the heads of AHs, present at the event, presented their own investment projects, which can significantly affect hromada’s budget and infrastructure.

The full version is available in Ukrainian – please click HERE