The reform of local self-government and territorial organisation of power, better known as “decentralisation”, is one of the key reforms taking place in Ukraine with the beginning of the movement towards European integration. It is also called one of the most successful reforms, which has been consistently implemented since 2014.

   The main goal of this reform is to create conditions for community development and bring services closer to people by means of transferring powers, resources and responsibilities to the local level.

In the context of the reform of local self-government and territorial organisation of power, it is important to take into account that Ukraine is a multinational state. According to the latest all-Ukrainian population census, representatives of more than 130 nationalities and ethnic groups live on the territory of Ukraine; they have their cultures, languages, traditions and identities which they strive to preserve and develop. For its part, Ukraine, through its Constitution and laws, guarantees equal political, economic, social and cultural rights to all peoples, ethnic groups and citizens living on its territory.

In a multi-ethnic state like Ukraine, such diversity should be used as a driver for the development of both the community and the state as a whole. Therefore, further involvement of national communities in the community life will help develop a strong civil society. For the national communities, this will create even more opportunities for communication and joint implementation of their specific needs at the local level together with the authorities and society. For the state, it is an important resource for new ideas, views and solutions, strengthening and expanding the system of horizontal connections, activating and involving the population in reaching and adopting decisions, increasing the level of self-organisation of people. Therefore, the reform of local self-government and territorial organisation of power is primarily an opportunity that opens up a new quality of life in the communities, focused on people.

However, Ukrainian national minorities are still not fully involved in the reform process. This is also confirmed by the study of the main trends in the social activity of nati­onal minorities in Ukraine in the context of the decentralisation reform from the National Institute for Strategic Studies.

   That is why the Council of Europe launched the Information campaign “Diverse Roots – Shared Opportunities”. Two Council of Europe projects “Decentralisation and local government reform in Ukraine” and “Protecting national minorities, including Roma, and minority languages in Ukraine”, will tell about all the opportunities that the #decentralisation reform offers to the national minorities. And in addition – the benefits of ethnic diversity for the flourishing of communities. During the month, we will show success stories of how different cultures and ethnic identities enrich the lives of communities and contribute to the prosperity of Ukraine today.

Unity is the key to state prosperity.