DESPRO Phase I – setting up a decentralized model of services provision for the population

The implementation of the Swiss-Ukrainian Decentralization Support Project in Ukraine from 2007 to 2009 focused mainly on setting up an efficient decentralized model of services provision for the population.

Within the timeframe of three years for Phase I, the DESPRO project operated at local, regional and national levels, addressing the following issues: 
•    building up decentralized models of services provision for the population, and, specifically, improving communal water supply and social services through a broader involvement of local communities and citizens’ associations;  
•    promoting the integration of the decentralized model of services provision into the local governance system for the population; 
•    taking into consideration best expertise and practices acquired in the pilot regions in supporting the National Agenda on decentralization. 

The Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Vinnytsya oblast’ were selected as pilot regions for project implementation.

Over the course of two years, DESPRO’s operations resulted in the implementation of 40 local community projects. Significant social and economic improvements have also been achieved. Up to 15,000 residents of rural areas in the pilot regions gained access to better quality water supply services; the total cost of the projects exceeded 7,6 million UAH, nearly 54% of which was contributed by the Swiss-Ukrainian project DESPRO, while 29% was collected by the community members and the remaining 17% was provided via the local budgets.

DESPRO Phase II – further implementation of available models and expertise in other regions of Ukraine, supporting local self-government and administrative and territorial reforms. 

Between 2010 and 2012, the Project shall provide further support for communities in decentralized services provision, expanding the geographical borders of its operation and the range of the impact areas. Not only will the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Vinnytsya oblast’ benefit from the project, but a new oblast’, Sumy oblast’, has been chosen to participate, too. Apart from the area of water supply, DESPRO supports local projects in solid waste management. The community and inter-municipal projects are seen as learning and demonstration examples of mechanisms of decentralized service provision and also as concrete contributions to local development in Ukraine.

DESPRO’s Phase II contributes to the improvement of services provision in rural communities through the rehabilitation of community infrastructure and strengthening of participatory decision-making processes in order to enhance the livelihoods of the rural population in Ukraine. Improving, implementing and institutionalizing feasible mechanisms for local authorities to deliver efficient and effective public services to citizens are at the heart of DESPRO. Yet Phase II chiefly focuses on documenting and consolidating the existing practices and lessons learnt from Phase I and on disseminating and institutionalizing the approaches and mechanisms of decentralized services provision that have been developed so far in other regions of Ukraine. In addition, Phase II aims at the integration of positive experience into operation mechanisms of administrative bodies at all levels. It will contribute to increasing the capacities of local public servants to plan and implement projects in order to establish decentralized services and run them. This includes promoting the setting up of a practical and training/educational basis for reforming processes advancement. Furthermore, the Project sets up relevant training courses under the auspices of the National Academy of Public Service and the Academy of Municipal Administration. The beneficiaries are officials working in local self-governance bodies, public servants and members of the local councils. 

Well-proven approaches and expertise gained from Phase I of DESPRO are used for the currently reforms. The Project is contributing to the intensive dialogue between various branches and levels of power and discussions on reform issues in the regions. Advisory support is provided to the national reform process towards decentralization and local self-government for key national institutions. This is based on experience gained in the pilot regions regarding local service provision, cross-level cooperation and community participation. The Ministry of Regional Development and Construction remains DESPRO’s main partner at national level.