Public Governance Under Decentralization: EXPERIENCE, CHALLENGES, AND PROSPECTS: Monograph

By Olesia Oleksandrivna Suntsova

The transformation of public governance systems is a decisive factor in the political, social, and economic modernization of states. In Ukraine, decentralization has emerged as one of the most ambitious and far-reaching reforms since the country regained independence. It has fundamentally altered the relationship between the state and its citizens, introducing new mechanisms of decision-making, fiscal autonomy, and public participation. This monograph explores the reform of public governance in the context of decentralization, seeking to evaluate its experience, analyse its current challenges, and outline its prospects for the future.
The relevance of the topic is dictated by the ongoing need to build governance systems that are efficient, transparent, and capable of responding to local needs. The Ukrainian decentralization process is remarkable not only for its scale but also for the extraordinary circumstances in which it has evolved. Economic turbulence, political transitions, and, most recently, the existential challenge of armed conflict have all shaped the reform, forcing it to adapt to conditions few could have foreseen. In such a context, decentralization is not simply an administrative restructuring but a strategic instrument for strengthening resilience, fostering democratic legitimacy, and supporting sustainable development.
The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive and multidimensional analysis of the decentralization reform in Ukraine. It seeks to reveal the conceptual foundations of the process, to trace its historical evolution, to examine the practical outcomes achieved thus far, and to assess its long-term sustainability. The object of the research is the system of public governance in Ukraine, while its subject is the transformation of that system under the influence of decentralization. The novelty of the work lies in its integrated approach to understanding decentralization as a process that is at once legal, institutional, fiscal, and participatory in nature.
The research draws upon a broad theoretical and methodological base, including comparative governance studies, institutional theory, and policy analysis, combined with empirical data from Ukrainian and international sources. The findings are intended to serve both academic and practical purposes, offering insights for policymakers, local government officials, and civil society actors concerned with ensuring that decentralization remains both irreversible and effective.
This monograph is structured in six chapters. The first chapter defines the conceptual framework for decentralization and situates it within broader theories of public governance reform. The second chapter examines the historical and legal trajectory of decentralization in Ukraine. The third evaluates the key achievements and continuing challenges of the current stage of reform. The fourth considers future perspectives, identifying strategic priorities for the post-war period. The final chapter synthesizes the results of the study and presents conclusions relevant to Ukraine's governance transformation and its integration into the European political and administrative space.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FR37ZVMQ
• ISBN13: 9798265197740
• Release Date: September 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 122 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"