REFORMING LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT IN UKRAINE AMIDST DECENTRALIZATION AND EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

Abstract

The article examines the contemporary features of local self-government reform in Ukraine amidst decentralization and deepening European integration. It establishes that transforming the local self-government system is a multifaceted process encompassing the redistribution of powers, the strengthening of the financial capacity of territorial communities, the improvement of organizational and managerial mechanisms, the development of local democracy, and the establishment of effective interaction between state authorities and local self-government bodies. The study identifies that while decentralization has created prerequisites for greater autonomy among territorial communities in addressing local issues, it has simultaneously highlighted the problem of disparities in their institutional, staffing, and financial capacities. Particular attention is paid to the functioning of local self-government under martial law, a period during which territorial communities undertake an expanded range of tasks related to sustaining the population, supporting internally displaced persons, maintaining critical infrastructure, ensuring security, and facilitating territorial recovery. The article substantiates the need to further refine the division of powers across levels of public authority, ensure alignment between devolved powers and financial resources, foster inter-municipal cooperation, and enhance the professional capacity of local self-government bodies. The impact of European integration on the ongoing reform of local self-government is also analyzed. It is determined that aligning the Ukrainian public administration system with European principles entails strengthening the roles of subsidiarity, openness, transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and good governance. The potential of using digital tools to facilitate communication between local self-government bodies and citizens, foster e-democracy, and enhance the accessibility of public services has been identified. It is proposed to view the further reform of local self-government as an interconnected process in which powers, resources, responsibilities, performance monitoring, and citizen participation form a cohesive system. Priority areas for improving local self-government have been outlined, focusing on strengthening the capacity of territorial communities, ensuring effective multi-level governance, supporting territorial recovery, and aligning Ukraine’s administrative practices with European standards.