It is inadmissible to halt the process of decentralisation, amalgamation and introduction of new opportunities for the development of territories, said Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman during a meeting on accelerating the process of voluntary amalgamation of hromadas. 

At present more than 200 settlements mostly rayon centres, cities of oblast significance and urban-type settlements are potential centres of amalgamated hromadas. However, they are not involved in the amalgamation process. It often happens due to the lack of appropriate plans and direct opposition from the heads of local administrations. As a result, more than 2.6 million people cannot take full advantage of the possibilities offered by the reform and receive the new quality of services that capable and financially secured AHs already have.

"We understand that it has been some time since the launch of the reform. We need to go further and continue the reform in terms of its irreversibility. We need to take a number of steps. This will enable us to ensure the irreversible changes and secure success. The goal is to create capable hromadas throughout the country. Full powers and resources should be transferred to hromadas," Volodymyr Groysman underscored.

The Head of Government recalled that the decisions offered by the Government will allow to shape of an AH network during 2020 and enable people to fully mobilise resources and make decisions.

The aforementioned decisions envisage modernisation of the functions of rayon administration by transforming them into executive committees. Also to grant rayon centres the AH status. "We consider it  appropriate from 1 January 2020 and until January 2021, to grant to rayon centres the amalgamated hromada status together with powers and resources. This will allow to test the system as well as to gain experience", Volodymyr Groysman said.

A special emphasis was placed on the redistribution of funds to the tune of UAH 3 billion from the State Fund for Regional Development to rayon centres and cities of oblast significance. "This will strengthen the capabilities and financial capacity of rayon centres. And people on the ground will decide where to allocate money. It is unacceptable to stop the decentralisation processes," the Prime Minister added.