Date: Tuesday, February 26, 2019, 13:00 – 14:30 
Venue: EastWest Institute, Rue de Trèves 59, 1000 Brussels 

Decentralization and reforms on local self-governance are by far the single most important transformative steps within Ukraine on her way towards a democratic and liberal nation state. By turning the old soviet top-down approach in the areas of decision making, funding and economic development around, Ukraine opens its huge potential in natural and human resources towards a common goal: sustainable development of merged communities as the powerbase for Ukraine’s political, economic and social progress. Many obstacles still have to be overcome. Amongst others, the country struggles with a depleted and underdeveloped countryside, the remains of a soviet-style administration. A war in the east of the country makes it impossible to even pass a constitutional amendment for a decentralized state-structure in Parliament. 

Still, against these odds, Ukraine has achieved tremendous results in the implementation of administrative and financial reforms. This process is expected to be finalized in 2020. Today, more than 70 percent of Ukraine’s population already lives in merged communities or bigger cities. What are the lessons learnt from three years of decentralization? What further assistance can the European Union offer on Ukraine’s way to local self-governance reforms? These and other questions will be discussed with Ukrainian experts on local government. 

We cordially invite you to discuss these topics with us. 

Click here to download the event program.

Image credit: komyvgory / Getty Images