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Ukraine: better governance in Ukraine through public participation - the people's voice project
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Monastyrski, Tom |
| Copyright Year | 2004 |
| Abstract | In Ukraine (population 47 million, and per capita income $770), the decline of the communist system in the 1980s created a gap between the central and local levels of government that has not been adequately filled since. After Independence in 1991, local public services were the subject of growing public dissatisfaction-mainly because of limited budgets, but also because of lack of community development, lack of new policy initiatives, and general apathy toward regional reform. Local bureaucracies remained poorly trained, disoriented, and unresponsive. Corruption was reportedly rampant, especially in dealings between government and business, and its corrosive effects were widely associated with Ukraine's growing poverty and inequality. Lack of public trust weakened the credibility of reforms and threatened the existence of the new democratic state. For democracy to develop in Ukraine ordinary citizens need to believe that the politicians they elect to represent them can and will address their concerns and best interests in improving the welfare and quality of life in their communities. Assisted by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the World Bank, the People's Voice project in Ukraine was developed in 1999 to build the public's skill in effectively engaging and influencing local government. In its first three years, the project has improved the capacity of citizens to interface with local government and the capacity of local governments to deliver services. Unlike many programs, which focus either on developing civil society or on reforming public administration, People's Voice focused on both simultaneously. It was implemented at the municipal level, where service delivery issues are an immediate day-to-day concern of citizens. By addressing capacity building and collaborative action with both governments and civil society in a balanced manner, People's Voice achieved benefits even in the short run. |
| Starting Page | 1 |
| Ending Page | 1 |
| Page Count | 1 |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/858831468781798407/pdf/308020UA0Governance01see0also0307591.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
