The first amalgamated hromada with a centre in the city of oblast significance, created by accession of neighbouring territories, appeared in the Donetsk Oblast, reports by the Donetsk Local Government Development Centre of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme.

In total, there are 15 cities of oblast significance in the Donetsk Oblast, under the control of Ukrainian authorities, which means that a simplified procedure for AH formation around such cities is relevant for the region.

“Bakhmut is the first city of oblast significance, that was persistent in its movement towards the decentralisation reform and achieved its goal,” said Serhii Ivakhnin, director of the Donetsk LGDC. “Formation of the Bakhmutska AH will be a positive example for other cities of oblast significance, that will be able to accelerate the process of AH formation by accession. Bakhmut is moving towards the development of its territory and Ukraine as a whole. The hromada is located on the collision line, which means it serves as an example for residents of a temporarily uncontrolled territory that life in Ukraine is better.”

The draft decision “On the Voluntary Accession of Territorial Communities to the Territorial Community of the City of Bakhmut of the Donetsk Oblast” was supported by 33 deputies. Oleksii Reva, the Bakhmut city mayor, called this decision historical. The Bakhmutska AH includes 17 settlements with a total population of 9.8 thousand residents.

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