The presentation is based on results of project “Evidence-Based Local Government Policy Development in Ukraine” initiated by the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) and organized in collaboration with the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) and the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR).

1. InteractionInteraction
betweenbetween CitizensCitizens and Localand Local
Governments in Ukrainian CitiesGovernments in Ukrainian Cities
Valentyna Zasadko

2. • Public interest in politics
• Dimensions of citizen participation
• Public trust and transparency of local
governments
• Citizens' ability to make difference
• Effectiveness of local government activities

4. “Just because you don't
take an interest in
politics, it doesn't
mean politics won't
take an interest in
you.”
(Pericles)

5. The level of interest in politics in Ukraine, %The level of interest in politics in Ukraine, %

6. The level of interest in politics andThe level of interest in politics and
age groupsage groups

7. The level of interest in politics andThe level of interest in politics and
respondent's education

8. The level of interest in national politics, %The level of interest in national politics, %

9. The level of interest in local politics, %The level of interest in local politics, %

10. Political activism of citizens depending on the levelPolitical activism of citizens depending on the level
of their interest in various types of politicsof their interest in various types of politics, %, %
Interest inInterest in
politicspolitics
Local politicsLocal politics National politicsNational politics
InternationalInternational
politicspolitics
VotedVoted
duringduring
electionselections
Other typesOther types
of politicalof political
activitiesactivities
VotedVoted
duringduring
electionselections
Other types ofOther types of
politicalpolitical
activitiesactivities
VotedVoted
duringduring
electionselections
Other typesOther types
of politicalof political
activitiesactivities
Very muchVery much
interestedinterested
9090 5757 9191 5353 91 50
QuiteQuite
interestedinterested
8787 4444 8686 4242 85 45
Not quiteNot quite
interestedinterested
8282 4040 7676 3838 82 41
NotNot
interestedinterested
at allat all
6969 2323 6262 1414 70 28

12. Why does Citizen Participation matter?
Improve democracy
Better decisions
Increased efficiency
Increased transparency

13. The Ladder of Citizen Participation (Arnstein)
Citizen Control
Delegated Power
Partnership
Consultation
Informing
Therapy
Manipulation1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Placation
8
Nonparticipation
Tokenism
Citizen Power

14. Understanding the levels of public
participation
Increasing level of participation in decision making

15. Different forms of citizen participation in
Ukrainian cities

17. The level of political activism of citizens, %The level of political activism of citizens, %

20. Types of political activities
Appeal to the local authorities
Asking for information
Local public hearings
Signing petition
Collecting signatures
Political speech
Distributing political brochures
Citizen general meeting
Local initiatives
Public discussions about local decisions or legislation
Local impact assessment
Seminars, consultations
Local surveys
Public meetings with the mayor
Meetings with representatives of city council
Contact

22. Protest
Types of political activities
Legal demonstrations
Non-legal demonstrations
Strike
Protest activities with material or health implications
Occuping buildings
Blocking streets

24. Election
Types of political activities
Voting in elections
Boycotting elections

26. “Local government representatives treat the interests
of the majority of population higher than their own
interests”

27. The ability of local government representatives to treat the interests
of the majority of population higher than their own interests
TheThe 4-4-point scalepoint scale

28. “Local government representatives do not abuse their
authority for personal interests”

29. The ability of local government representatives not to
abuse their authority for personal interests
TheThe 4-4-point scalepoint scale

30. ““Citizens have to pay unofficial extra feesCitizens have to pay unofficial extra fees
for services of government agencies”for services of government agencies”

31. Share of respondents who had to pay unofficial extraShare of respondents who had to pay unofficial extra
fees for services of government agencies,fees for services of government agencies, % of those% of those
who received such serviceswho received such services

32. "A lack of transparency results in
distrust and a deep sense of
insecurity.“
(Dalai Lama )

33. Level of trust to city mayorsLevel of trust to city mayors
TheThe 55--point scalepoint scale

34. Level of trust to city councilLevel of trust to city council
TheThe 55--point scalepoint scale

36. Ability of citizens to exercise influence onAbility of citizens to exercise influence on
decision-making at the local level,decision-making at the local level, %%

37. Reasons preventing citizens from influencingReasons preventing citizens from influencing
on local decision-making,on local decision-making, %%

38. Share of respondents who believe that nothing preventShare of respondents who believe that nothing prevent
them to influence local decision-making ,them to influence local decision-making ,%%

39. 36%36% of citizens were sure that theirof citizens were sure that their
actions will not yield the expectedactions will not yield the expected
outcomeoutcome

40. Share of respondents who believe that their actionsShare of respondents who believe that their actions
will not yield the desired outcome,will not yield the desired outcome, %%

41. Share of respondents who believe that citizens can deliverShare of respondents who believe that citizens can deliver
their opinion to local government representatives,their opinion to local government representatives, %%

42. Will the input be taken into consideration in localWill the input be taken into consideration in local
government decision-making?government decision-making? %%
By evaluation of citizens By evaluation of experts

43. 53%53% of surveyed local governmentof surveyed local government
representatives mentioned therepresentatives mentioned the
passive citizen attitudepassive citizen attitude

44. ”You may never know what results
come of your action, but if you do
nothing there will be no result.”
(Mahatma Gandhi)

46. “I am satisfied with the performance
of local government”

47. Share of respondents who are satisfied with theShare of respondents who are satisfied with the
performance of local governmentperformance of local government, %, %

48. “Local government effectively distributesLocal government effectively distributes
budget funds and other resourcesbudget funds and other resources”

49. Share of respondents who agree that local governmentShare of respondents who agree that local government
effectively distributes budget funds and other resources,effectively distributes budget funds and other resources, %%

50. ““Local government representatives provideLocal government representatives provide
good information aboutgood information about budget allocation”budget allocation”

51. Poor communication
causes misunderstood

52. Project “To put a swing in a tree”

53. Valentyna Zasadko
zasadko_vv@yahoo.com