In its activities, the Government pays considerable attention to financial and social support aimed at the development of regions and communities in Ukraine, doing everything possible to ensure their sustainability and capacity. This was emphasised by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal during the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine on 17 December.

According to the Head of Government, work is being carried out in eight key areas, the first of which is financial sustainability.

"The resource of local budgets in 2024 amounts to more than UAH 285 billion. Next year, the potential of financial sustainability will increase to UAH 328 billion of budget resources. The communities receive grants and subventions from the state to perform their functions," said Denys Shmyhal.

The Government also continues to work on a recovery programme, which is primarily taking place in critical clusters: energy, housing, education, and healthcare, the Prime Minister stressed. He added that the unified portfolio of public investment projects contains 787 items, and the programme is expected to be funded in the amount of over UAH 224 billion by 2025.

The eVidnovlennia programme is in place, with payments for damaged property worth UAH 8.4 billion already agreed, and housing certificates issued for UAH 19.5 billion.

According to Denys Shmyhal, defence is a key area of work. This year, the Government has allocated over UAH 37 billion for the design and construction of fortifications in the third line of defence.

"The works were carried out and coordinated by the RMA. Most of them have been successfully completed. If necessary, we stand ready to allocate additional funds," the Prime Minister stressed.

He also noted that, on commission by the President of Ukraine, funds from a portion of personal income tax, funds from the Ministry of Defence, and resources from the state budget reserve fund are being channeled to finance the needs of combat brigades.

Work is also underway to provide for the medical sector. The Head of Government stressed that during the full-scale war almost 950 medical institutions had been either fully or partially restored. Every effort is being made to ensure that each medical facility has a reliable shelter and backup power supply.

The educational sector is also among the priorities. According to Denys Shmyhal, more than UAH 100 billion of state educational subventions have been provided to communities to pay teachers' salaries, and another UAH 2 billion - for meals for primary school students. UAH 7.5 billion has been allocated for the construction of modern school shelters, and UAH 1.2 billion has been provided to communities for the purchase of school buses.

The Cabinet of Ministers is focusing considerable attention on the preparation and passage of the autumn-winter period, in particular, the heating season. Denys Shmyhal emphasised that almost 100% of the facilities were connected to the heating system on time: residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, and hospitals.

"We have set up 13,400 Points of Invincibility in case of emergencies. 486 cogeneration units and 296 block-modular boiler houses were provided by partners, and they are already in operation or have been put into operation. Banks provide energy loans to businesses and individuals. Over six months, the volume of lending amounted to about UAH 8.3 billion," the Prime Minister said.

The seventh area of work with the regions is social support. Denys Shmyhal said that the state fulfils its obligations to citizens by paying pensions and providing housing subsidies.

"The Winter ePidtrymka programme initiated by the President is rolling out. More than 4.4 million Ukrainians have already received a thousand hryvnias through Diia and 500,000 -through Ukrposhta," the Head of Government noted.

Another vector of activity is business support. According to the Prime Minister, the Made in Ukraine policy demonstrates efficiency, and over two years the state has paid 22,000 microgrants and contributed to the creation of 42,000 new jobs.

"This year, entrepreneurs received UAH 1.4 billion in grants to develop processing. More than UAH 477 million in grants were paid to agricultural producers developing horticulture and greenhouse farming," said Denys Shmyhal and added that in 2025, the Made in Ukraine programme will be funded by at least UAH 36 billion.

"Thus, the Government is building up the resilient state both on the central and local levels," the Prime Minister concluded.