Prime Minister: Decentralization reform allowed to increase local budgets up to UAH 231 billion

The process of transfer of powers and financial resources to local self-governments, kicked off in 2014, made it possible to increase local budgets over the past 4 years from UAH 68 billion to UAH 231 billion This was announced by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman on the air of Ukrainian radio.

"In 2014, at the beginning of the reform, local budgets amounted to UAH 68 billion. In 2018, they increased to UAH 231 billion. Significant resources that we handed to the local level, stressed Volodymyr Groysman, but now it is vitally important to use resources efficiently. Local leaders should be held accountable to communities for each hryvnia they spend".

The Prime Minister stressed the idea of decentralization and creation of consolidated territorial communities proved its efficiency. The regions possess resources which could and should be spent for the benefit of citizens.

"No one has the right to deter people who want to unite, especially local or regional authorities. In every community, people should walk on normal sidewalk, live in a warm house and kids should be able to go to a good kindergarten. Consolidated communities are to approve the said decisions, to this end we transferred funds and resources. I will be happy for the successes of the communities, and will defend the reform," the Head of Government underscored.