How can local authorities maintain public trust when faced with difficult decisions, limited resources and the pressures of martial law?
In her article, Tetiana Vasylevska, consultant to the Council of Europe Project “Strengthening Multilevel Governance and Local Democracy to Support Ukraine’s Recovery”, examines the ethical challenges faced by local self-government authorities in Ukraine during the ongoing war of aggression by the Russian Federation.
The article highlights the importance of integrity, transparency, accountability and respect for human dignity in local decision-making, in line with the Council of Europe’s Principles of Good Democratic Governance. Through practical examples, it demonstrates how ethical leadership, fair allocation of resources and open communication with residents can help preserve public trust and strengthen the resilience of local communities, even in times of crisis.
