Problemi Ekonomiki (Jun 2020)
The Coronavirus against Decentralization: Risks of and Challenges for the Development of United Territorial Communities in the context of the Pandemic
Abstract
The article highlights the current problems of and challenges for the development of united territorial communities in the context of decentralization and the pandemic. The spatial development of territorial communities is the main goal in the framework of implementing the decentralization reform, which is aimed at ensuring a high quality of life of the population and competitiveness of the national economy under conditions ofthe crisis and pandemic. The economic and social consequences of the coronavirus outbreak,which has captured the whole world, did not bypass Ukraine and its territorial units.The aim of the article is to identify the problems of the development of united territorial communities in the context of decentralization and the pandemic and to develop areas of anti-crisis measures for overcoming the problems andcreatingcompetitive advantages of united territorial communities.The low pace of development of united territorial communities reveals the presence of problems associated with their sufficient resource provision; efficient distribution of powers and responsibilities among the levels of government; validity of the criteria for uniting territorial communities; lack of sufficient management qualifications to elaborate effective strategies, programs, and projects for the development of united territorial communities. Moreover, it indicates their significant financial dependence on government support.The main problems of budget losses of united territorial communities due to the coronavirus pandemic and anti-crisis measures to support the population and entrepreneurship are identified. A roadmap of state support for the development of UTCs, defining the measures, timing of their implementation, and the responsible authorities is created.
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