MULTI-LEVEL GOVERNANCE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EUROPEAN POLICIES REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINE AT THE SUBNATIONAL LEVEL
Authors: Suvorov Valentin 
Published: December 2023

The article examines the institutional foundations of the formation and features of the use of the concept of multi-level governance, the determination of methodical approaches to the formation and possibilities of applying an integrated approach to multi-level governance at the subnational level in the context of the implementation of European policies on the development of Ukraine. It has been found that the role of sub-national structures in European politics is becoming increasingly independent and may partially depart from the direct influence and control of national governments. At the same time, regionalization, which took place in a number of leading European countries, ultimately contributed to the decentralization of political power and the transfer of significant powers from the national to the subnational level.

The most significant principles of multi-level governance are defined, which should include: transparency and openness of the process of development and adoption of political decisions; compliance with the principles of subsidiarity, inclusiveness and proportionality within this process; comprehensive protection of basic individual rights; development of partnership with the participation of institutions and persons of both public and private law; achieving management efficiency and budgetary balance at all levels of multi-level governance. The principle of partnership in the system of multi-level governance provides for the equality of different levels of power within the European Union, as well as their recognition of mutual democratic legitimacy. The specified principle also provides that the supranational, national and subnational levels of government should develop cooperation, which is carried out on a voluntary and mutually beneficial basis.

It is emphasized that the institutional capacity of the governing bodies of the subnational level is the ability of these bodies to effectively, competently and stably perform their functions and powers. This concerns the legal, resource capabilities, competences of the relevant bodies and their ability to coordinate collective actions in the direction of promotion and implementation of public projects and public initiatives that are significant for society. It provides for effective partnership and coordination of relevant bodies, including with government institutions; interdepartmental partnership and coordination; increasing one's own capacity in the field of finance and in the provision of public services in accordance with the principles of subsidiarity and inclusiveness; partnerships and coordination outside the sphere of public administration; as well as audit, evaluation and citizen feedback.

Attention is focused on the fact that the consolidation of efforts, that is, the joint interaction of local state authorities and local self-government bodies, is an important condition and at the same time a means of implementing democratic, decentralized management of territories and a condition for proper multi-level governance in the context of the European integration goals and objectives of Ukraine. The implementation of such cooperation will ensure the effectiveness of the mechanism of interaction between executive authorities and local self-government bodies; establish high-quality interaction of local authorities with territorial divisions of central executive authorities; to increase the professional level of employees of local state administrations; regulate the legal status of heads of local executive bodies; to ensure the provision of services to the population of appropriate quality.