Identification of social and economic problems based on the assessment analysis of the process of decentralization of power in Ukraine

Problem setting. It is important to assess the compliance of the results of the decentralization reform in Ukraine with the population expectations regarding the changes caused by the reform, in particular, the formation of amalgamated territorial communities (ATCs). Attention should be paid to identifying social and economic problems that require further measures to solve them.Recent research and publications analysis. Administrative reforms are continuous in each country and provide for identifying shortcomings and upgrading public administration. Ukrainian scientists proposed a method for assessing the impact of administrative and financial decentralization mechanisms on the social and economic development of regions, districts, cities, and territorial communities. Experts and scientists analyzed the implementation of projects in decentralization, compared Ukrainian and foreign decentralization models.Highlighting previously unsettled parts of the general problem. An important task in terms of the future social and economic development of Ukraine is identifying problems that are still unresolved or are due to the process of decentralization of power in Ukraine. The article is to reveal such problems based on the assessment analysis of this process.Paper main body. Decentralization of power is considered one of the most successful reforms in Ukraine implemented after 2014. The success was based on the clarity of intentions announced by the authorities, the interest of communities in obtaining greater resources and powers, as well as their ability to implement their local development initiatives. A network of Administrative Service Centers (ASCs) has been developed in Ukraine, which can be considered an important achievement of the administrative reform. However, 46–63% of respondents noted a deterioration in the following areas: combating corruption in government; care for vulnerable groups (pensioners, disabled persons); medical care; providing jobs, and combating unemployment. The problems of newly created ATCs included: lack of qualified personnel; strengthening political monopolies that control resources in communities; phenomena when some ATC leaders felt permissive in their new status. Although the number of full-time employees in ATC self-government bodies has generally decreased compared to the total number of employees in the bodies of non-integrated settlements, “inflating” of the salaries of officials takes place.The survey in 2020 reflected the people’s opinion that decentralization of power has led to a deterioration in environmental protection management. The analysis showed that the opinions of respondents on the priority of environmental protection tasks differ significantly depending on their level of education. In particular, when people were asked about the powers that should be primarily exercised by local governments, the distribution of answers on “Environmental Protection” was as follows among the educational social groups: incomplete secondary and lower – 9,9%, full secondary – 19,8%, secondary vocational – 18,4%, and higher – 26,7%. This might be influenced by the amount of environmental knowledge gained. The coronavirus pandemic has apparently led to the creation of conditions for improving the health situation which, according to the new local governments, is one of their key priorities.Conclusions of the research and prospects for further studies. Based on the research results by reputable organizations, the following general social and economic problems have been identified that need to be solved: corruption in government; social vulnerability of pensioners and disabled persons; insufficiently effective medical care; unemployment; armed conflict in eastern Ukraine; and improper environmental management. Problems of some newly created ATCs included: lack of qualified personnel; “inflating” the salaries of officials; strengthening political monopolies that control resources in communities; a sense of permissiveness of “local princes”; lack of a clear list of measures in case of epidemics, natural or man-made disasters; and lack of projects designed to stimulate long-term community development.