Ukraine’s Decentralisation Reform: Council of Europe Reviews Progress and Plans for 2025

Title: Congress Analyzes Ukraine’s Decentralisation Reform Amid Ongoing Challenges

In response to a request from Ukrainian authorities, the Congress of the Council of Europe conducted an analysis of Ukraine’s 2014 Decentralisation Reform Concept. The analysis includes recommendations for revising the concept based on current challenges and the EU integration process.

On November 18-19, 2024, events in Kyiv facilitated discussions on the reform’s implementation. Public support for the decentralisation reform reached 77%. Stakeholders from various sectors, including Parliament, the Government, the Presidential Office, local self-government, and the diplomatic community, participated in these discussions. Congress Director Claudia Luciani also engaged with leaders of four national associations representing local and regional authorities.

Vice-Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba highlighted the significance of the reform during Ukraine’s ongoing war. He noted that the reform helped communities stand resilient against aggression and is essential for recovery and development. Kuleba announced plans to update the reform concept for presentation in spring 2025.

Claudia Luciani emphasized the need for a long-term vision for Ukraine’s governance system. She stated that the updated Concept should reflect what governance should look like in a peaceful and democratic Ukraine over the next decade. The Council of Europe is ready to support a transparent and inclusive process to develop the new concept, using its standards and the experiences of other member states.

Discussions led to the creation of a specialized expert group to assist in developing the updated concept. The revised document is expected to be completed by March 2025.

For more information, visit the Council of Europe’s website to view photos from the meetings and highlights from the latest opinion polls on multilevel governance reforms in Ukraine.