The All-Ukrainian Association of Communities is convinced that the implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On Service in Local Self-Government Bodies” (six months after the end of the state of war) will elevate such service to a new level of social perception, enhance the quality of service provision, and attract young professionals to local self-government.
This was discussed during the presentation of the handbook “Innovations of the Law of Ukraine “On Service in Local Self-Government Bodies” dated May 2, 2023: comments and comparative analysis,” in which the All-Ukrainian Association of Communities participated at the invitation of the Council of Europe.
In the All-Ukrainian Association of Communities, we are convinced that the options for professional training of specialists, internships, competitive selection of officials, and the introduction of mentoring services, as outlined in the Law, will undoubtedly contribute to quality changes in the organization of local self-government activities. However, the implementation of such innovations will not happen automatically by reaching a specified date. Preserving and enhancing the professional potential of local self-government bodies is something we must work on daily.
Therefore, the Association once again emphasizes the importance of creating competitive conditions for salary payment to ensure a decent living for local self-government specialists. In this regard, further work on draft law No. 11054, which provides for guaranteeing a minimum wage in local self-government bodies, is important.
Additionally, we need to introduce on a legislative level an increasing adjustment coefficient for the remuneration of local self-government officials. Despite the changes that have occurred since the adoption of Government Resolution No. 268, essentially, the level of remuneration for certain specialists in local self-government bodies is lower than what the state should guarantee.
Furthermore, the period of martial law imposes new powers on local self-government bodies, which are constantly expanding. This includes the structure of filling departments and administrations that local self-government bodies can establish. Currently, there is no clear understanding at the local level of the instruments for forming structural units of communities. As a result, departments with various sectoral spheres and tasks are formed based on the principle of accumulated functionality, with 2-3 people per 6-7 areas of provision.
Therefore, the Association, together with the National Agency for Civil Service, is developing legislative positions to improve the regulatory framework, which would meet the communities’ demands now, serving as a necessary professional basis for future legislative changes.