UKRAINE’S SELF-GOVERNMENT UNDER CONDITIONS OF THE WAR: THE ADAPTATION TO NEW CHALLENGES

Abstract

The article explores the peculiarities of local self-government in Ukraine under wartime conditions, shaped by the introduction of martial law, the centralization of decision-making, and the transformation of democratic participation mechanisms. It analyzes how decentralization reform has influenced the resilience of territorial communities and their ability to ensure vital functions during a crisis. The study examines the challenges of coordination between state authorities and local self-government bodies. The article highlights key demographic, economic, social, and political challenges faced by local communities, including restrictions on electoral rights, declining civic engagement, risks of excessive centralization, and the potential consequences of such processes for post-war recovery. The prospects for using digital technologies to enhance transparency in local governance, the role of civil society in public governance restoration, and mechanisms for strengthening community participation in decision-making processes are outlined. The study concludes that maintaining democratic processes in the country requires flexible mechanisms to balance security needs with the principles of decentralization. A set of policy recommendations for optimizing local self-government is proposed, including expanding community autonomy, strengthening their financial capacity, developing e-governance, increasing civic participation in governance processes, and actively promoting civic education as a tool for enhancing political culture and public awareness of democratic procedures. It is determined that the preservation and strengthening of local self-government institutions are among the key elements of Ukraine’s post-war recovery and its integration into the European economic, political, and security space.