Khmelnytskyi (1st place), Zhytomyr (2nd place), Chernihiv (3rd place), Zaporizhia (4th place), and Dnipropetrovsk (5th place) Oblasts (regions) are the leaders of the rating in terms of establishing capable territorial communities. The news was told at the Coordination Meeting "Reform of Local Self-Government and Decentralisation of Power in Ukraine: Progress and Prospects".

The rating was prepared by the Ministry of Regional Development based on analysis of the following 4 parameters:

1. "Number of amalgamated territorial communities" (also taking into account the information on those communities whose documents as of 16 June 2017 were still pending consideration by the Central Elections Committee as to the calling of the first elections),
2. "Area of the amalgamated territorial community",
3. "Territorial communities (local councils) which have amalgamated",
4. "Number of amalgamated territorial communities having less than five thousand residents".

The largest number of the established amalgamated communities is in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (region) - 48, and the smallest one is in Kyiv Oblast - just 4 amalgamated territorial communities. However, the largest number of local councils which have amalgamated into communities is in Zhytomyr Oblast - 301, and smallest one is again in Kyiv Oblast - 20.

The largest area underlying the amalgamated territorial communities is in Khmelnytskyi Oblast - 41.9% of the total area of the Oblast, and the smallest one is in Kyiv Oblast - 1.4%.

First Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Construction, and Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine Viacheslav Nehoda noted that the rating was prepared so that each Oblast could see its performance in the context of the reform of local self-government.

"The indicators on the basis of which the rating was formed are not just the figures but the reflection of performance factor of Oblast State Administrations and the Centres of Local Self-Government Development in terms of implementation of the reform tasks. Those lagging behind have to see it and make make every endeavour to improve the situation. And the leading ones have not to lose steam and move forward to the completion of the reform", Viacheslav Nehoda noted.

You can find the rating of Oblasts in terms of establishing capable territorial communities HERE