The system of local self-government in Ukraine has been evolving, especially with decentralization reforms aimed at granting more powers and responsibilities to local communities.
System of local self-government in Ukraine:
1. Purpose: Local self-government in Ukraine exists to allow communities (hromada or territorial community is a basic unit of administrative division in Ukraine, similar to a municipality) to manage their own affairs, within the bounds of the constitution and national laws, to meet the specific needs and preferences of their local populations.
2. Levels of Local Self-Government:
- Village, Settlement and City Level: This is the basic level, representing individual villages or rural settlements or cities. These villages and/or settlements and/or cities can decide to unite into larger territorial communities (hromadas) to manage shared affairs and resources. At the same time larger cities can further be divided into districts (boroughs).
- District (Rayon) Level: This is an intermediate level that covers several villages, towns, or cities. However, with the decentralization reform, the importance and role of this level were being reconsidered, with more powers being shifted to the base (village, settlement, city) level.
- Regional (Oblast) Level: This represents the governance of the 24 regions (oblasts) of Ukraine
3. Key Bodies of Local Self-Government:
- Local Councils: They are the main representative body at each level (including district and regional level). Council members are elected by the residents of the respective territorial community. The councils are responsible for making decisions on local matters and for the formulation and implementation of local budgets.
- Mayors and Executive Committees: Mayors (or "heads" at the village or settlement level) are also elected by the residents. They act as executive authorities, carrying out the decisions made by the councils. The executive committees assist in this executive function. At the region, district level and in the cities with special status, local councils do not have their own executive bodies and do not influence their formation and personnel. The functions of their executive bodies are performed by local state administrations subordinate to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
4. Competencies and Responsibilities: Local self-government bodies have a wide range of competencies, which include:
- Formulation and implementation of local budgets
- Local economic and social development
- Land resource management at the local level
- Housing and communal services
- Education, culture, health, and social protection at the local level
- Transportation and infrastructure development
5. Decentralization Reforms: Over the years, there have been ongoing reforms to decentralize power and give more authority and resources to local self-government bodies. The goal of these reforms is often to enhance local autonomy, increase the efficiency of governance, improve service delivery, and bring decision-making closer to the people. They also often involve consolidating smaller communities into larger administrative units for more effective management.
6. Relationship with Local State Administrations: It's essential to differentiate between local self-government and local state administrations. The latter are executive bodies representing the central government at the regional and district levels. While local councils and their executive bodies look after the specific interests of their communities, local state administrations ensure the implementation of national laws and policies at the regional and district levels.
7. Legal Basis:
- Constitution of Ukraine: It guarantees the right to local self-government and provides a broad framework for its establishment and functioning.
- Law of Ukraine on Local Self-Government: This law provides detailed regulations on the organization, functions, and powers of local self-government bodies.
In essence, Ukraine's local self-government system is designed to cater to the specific needs of its diverse communities while maintaining a balance with national interests and policies. The ongoing reforms have been shaping this balance and redefining the roles of various levels of governance.
More detailed description of local government system of Ukraine you can find here.
Territorial organization of power in Ukraine
Ukraine's territorial organization of power has been shaped by its historical, political, and legal developments and now has the following form:
1. Territorial Units:
- 24 Regions (Oblasts): Ukraine is divided into 24 regions or oblasts. Each oblast is further divided into districts and cities.
- 2 Cities with Special Status: Kyiv (the capital city) and Sevastopol have special status and do not belong to any oblast.
- 1 Autonomous Republic: The Autonomous Republic of Crimea is a unique territorial unit within Ukraine, which has its own constitution and parliament. However, since 2014, it has been under de facto control by Russia, a situation not recognized by Ukraine and much of the international community.
- 136 Districts (Rayons): This is an intermediate level that covers several villages, towns, or cities. However, with the decentralization reform, the importance and role of this level were being reconsidered, with more powers being shifted to the base (village, settlement, city) level.
- 1469 Territorial Communities (Hromadas).
1469 Ukrainian hromadas consist of:
- 409 urban hromadas,
- 435 settlement hromadas,
- 625 rural hromadas.
2. Local Self-Government: see above.
On October 25, 2020, the elections of mayors and local councillors were held in 1420 out of 1469 communities (in 19 communities of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, the local elections were not held due to security issues. Military-civilian administrations operate there). All other hromadas are situated in uncontrolled territory within the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
3. Local State Administrations: These are bodies of executive power and represent the interests of the central government in the regions and districts as well as at the cities with special status. They coexist with local self-government bodies and have a different scope of powers. The head of a local state administration is appointed and dismissed by the President of Ukraine upon the recommendation of the Cabinet of Ministers. Local state administrations perform the functions of executive committees of local councils at the region, district level and in the cities with special status.
In summary, Ukraine's territorial organization of power feature multiple levels, from the national down to the local. The intent is to balance centralized authority with localized autonomy to best serve the needs of its diverse regions and population. However, political, economic, and other challenges, including the conflict over Crimea, have influenced the dynamics and functioning of this system.