The opinion of citizens about the decentralization reform and its results

The nationwide survey was conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation jointly with the sociological service of the Razumkov Center from August 14 to 19, 2020, via face-to-face interviews at the respondents’ place of residence. 2022 respondents aged over 18 y.o. were interviewed in all regions of Ukraine, except for Crimea and the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, according to a sample representative of the adult population according to the key socio-demographic indicators. The theoretical sampling error does not exceed 2.3%. The survey was funded as part of the MATRA project of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

This publication includes the data from the earlier studies conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation and the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology in August 2016, June 2017, and August 2018.

The event “BETWEEN ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND PASSIVE RESISTANCE. The opinion of citizens about the decentralization reform before the local election” is conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation as part of USAID/ENGAGE activity, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Pact in Ukraine. The content of the materials presented at the event is the sole responsibility of Pact and its partners and does not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) or the United States government.

47% of respondents believe that following the implementation of the decentralization reform on the national level in 2015 and the resulting growth of revenue in local budgets have not delivered any change. 27% believe that the changes for the better took place, and 12% believe that that the changes for the worse took place. 14% of the respondents had no opinion on the matter.

The residents of the Central region gave the highest proportion of responses that recognized that positive change has taken place (31%), and respondents in the East were the least likely to observe any changes (54.7%). Compared to the data from 2020, the data from 2016 to 2018 shows that a higher proportion of citizens used to believe that no change had taken place (61-67%) and fewer people who noted positive changes (16-18%).

Ukrainians that indicated that they saw positive change often pointed to the quality of roads (61%), landscaping and state of the house territory (27%), the development of public spaces (23%), the public transportation services (23%), and the quality of municipal services (17%).

The areas where respondents noted changes for the worse are medical services (69%), the quality of roads (29%), aid for the vulnerable groups of the population (28.5%), and the corruption of the local government (28%).

A significant proportion of citizens (28.5%) believes that the transfer of power to local clans is the direct result of the decentralization reform (28.5%). 22% of respondents believe that the reform has accelerated the deterioration of village and city communities, 15% believe that the reform has expanded the opportunities to influence local authorities, and 13.5% noted the improvement of social services. 28% of respondents had no opinion on the matter.

As far as the participation in the decision-making processes of the local government goes, 45% of respondents are willing to vote in elections, 20% are willing to volunteer to improve landscaping, and 11.5% are willing to join the voluntary organization of citizens.

76.5% of respondents are aware of the parliament’s (Verkhovna Rada) legislation that increased the size of territorial unites (rayony) – more specifically, 29% know the precise territorial units in their region (oblast), and 47.5% do not know the particulars of the legislation. Every fifth respondent (21%) is not aware of the legislation.

36% of respondents have not yet determined their attitude towards the enlargement of the territorial units and need more time to evaluate the impact of the reform. 30% do not support the enlargement of the territorial units; 16.5% support the measure.

SURVEY RESULTS

1. Since the decentralization reform was initiated in 2015, the revenues of local budgets grew significantly. Do you believe that things have changed for the better (improved quality of the governmental services, landscaping, etc.) during this period?

2. If you note changes for the better, what area do these changes concern?

3. If you note changes for the worse, what area do these changes concern?

4. How has decentralization (the relegation of governmental functions to local authorities) impacted citizens?

5. In what way are you willing to participate in the decision-making process in your city/village/community?

6. Do you know of the initiative by the Cabinet of Ministers and Verkhovna Rada (parliament) to increase the size of the territorial unites?

7. Do you support the initiative by the Cabinet of Ministers and Verkhovna Rada (parliament) to increase the size of the territorial unites?

SURVEY RESULTS BY REGION

1. Since the decentralization reform was initiated in 2015, the revenues of local budgets grew significantly. Do you believe that things have changed for the better (improved quality of the governmental services, landscaping, etc.) during this period?

2.  If you note changes for the better, what area do these changes concern?

3. If you note changes for the worse, what area do these changes concern?

4. How has decentralization (the relegation of governmental functions to local authorities) impacted citizens?

5. In what way are you willing to participate in the decision-making process in your city/village/community?

6. Do you know of the initiative by the Cabinet of Ministers and Verkhovna Rada (parliament) to increase the size of the territorial unites?

7. Do you support the initiative by the Cabinet of Ministers and Verkhovna Rada (parliament) to increase the size of the territorial unites?