1,029 united territorial communities created in Ukraine

1,029 united territorial communities (UTCs)with a population of 11.7 million have been already created in Ukraine.

This is evidenced by the data of the latest monitoring of decentralization and local self-government reform of the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine published on the Ministry’s website.

"As of January 10, 2020, 1,029 united territorial communities with a population of 11.7 million people were created in Ukraine. Prospective plans for the creation of communities cover 90.3% of the country's territory," the report reads.

Deputy Minister of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine Vyacheslav Nehoda noted that 223 UTCs had been formed in 2019, whereas only 141 - in 2018. "That is, the process of decentralization continues, people trust it, and the resistance of opponents is being overcome. In general, 1,029 UTCs were already formed from 4,698 communities. We know that many UTCs are weak, usually those where political or emotional decisions were made. We’ll make adjustments. However, 6,263 communities have not united yet, worsening their own development prospects. Last December, the elections in the newly-formed UTCs were held. Forty-nine more communities are ready for appointment of the first elections and await the decision of the Central Election Commission," Nehoda said.

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