Organised and facilitated by the Council of Europe Projects “Preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence in Ukraine” and “Decentralization and territorial consolidation in Ukraine”, the meeting aim was to ensure that the decentralisation process planned for Ukraine takes into consideration its implications for violence against women and domestic violence issues, among other social policy issues.

The meeting was co-chaired by Ms Nataliya Fedorovych, Head of Department on family, gender policy and human trafficking (MSP) and Mr Serhiyem Sharshovym, Head of Department on decentralization and territorial consolidation (Minregion).

During the meeting, participants discussed current status, perspectives, priorities and challenges of the decentralization of power in Ukraine in the sphere of social services. As an outcome of the meeting, a concept paper on the implications and possible avenues of the decentralisation of social services will be prepared. The paper will aim at facilitating further discussions for the attainment of  an optimal distribution of powers and responsibilities between central, regional, rayon and local self-government authorities, while ensuring the quality and standards of the services provided.