The analysts of the Centre of United Actions conducted a research of the prerequisites for resilience and sustainable restoration of local self-government “Communities of war. Resilient and Capable”. 

The research was based on 60 interviews with representatives of local governments in de-occupied, combat-affected and rear-guard communities. For security reasons, their opinions were collected and used on the basis of anonymity. The research by the Centre of United Actions covers 12 territorial communities in six regions of Ukraine: Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro and Odesa oblasts.  

The research touches on topics important for restoration: from the factors of local government resilience and the challenges faced by communities to resources and methods of engaging citizens to create strategic documents. This is necessary to understand which factors were key to the resilience of communities and what they need to restore. 

Based on the results of the research, the analysts identified the most effective practices of local authorities that helped to quickly address the immediate challenges of the war and its consequences at the grassroots level. In addition to preservation of management teams, sustainable governance practices and the initiative of residents, communities were able to cope with the challenges by establishing communication, cohesion and investing resources in development despite difficult circumstances. 

The research also provides answers to the following questions:   

  • What obstacles do local authorities face in implementing reforms?   
  • How do local authorities involve residents in decision-making in times of war?   
  • How did the redistribution of “military” personal income tax affect communities?   
  • What prevents local authorities from creating effective strategic documents?   
  • How effective is the state programme “eRestoration”?  

The findings of the research can be used at the national, regional and local levels to more effectively restore the affected and de-occupied communities.   

More about the best practices of local self-government and the challenges it faces during the war can be found here.