Center for Sociological Research Decentralization and Regional Development

Program-targeted and project-based approaches are critical requirements for recovery and development at the local level. First, local development programs and projects are the primary tools for strategic planning for developing and recovering a hromada (from now on, referred to as a hromada). Secondly, projects will also form the basis of the recovery financing system. In addition, a study by Transparency International Ukraine has shown that most citizens see local governments as responsible for implementing these projects. Thus, the quality of project management in hromadas is directly related to the quality of Ukraine’s recovery. At the same time, almost 83% of hromadas in Ukraine have a population of less than 30 thousand. 

To identify key obstacles to implementing recovery and development projects, we have studied project management and data-driven management practices in hromadas with a population of 20-100 thousand inhabitants. Based on the identified problems, we proposed possible solutions/approaches to project management for state and local governments and international donors working with hromadas. The study was conducted from September 2022 to May 2023. 

The published documents also take into account the results of an expert discussion held on June 29, 2023, with the participation of representatives of the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, international donor organizations, the All-Ukrainian Association of Communities, the Association of Small Cities of Ukraine, the Chernihiv Regional Development Agency, as well as comments from the Municipal Institution City Institute of Lviv City Council and others. The recording of the discussion is available here.

The policy briefs were developed within the framework of the project “Evidence-Based Policies for Territorial Communities” implemented by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

Read the notes:

– Project Management in Hromadas;

– Data-driven governance;

Guidelines with Recommendations for Local Government Representatives: here.