Ukraine Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development Programme will provide an opportunity to build in Ukraine an efficient management model and to devolve more powers and resources to local authorities. Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman announced during the presentation of a project of the U-LEAD with Europe: Ukraine Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development Programme in the framework of the working visit to Vinnytsia region with the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement NegotiationsJohannes Hahn on Thursday.

"The introduction of a brand new project on decentralization of power, which will enable us to build a quality governance model, basing on devolving the authorities and resources to the government that people choose, that is closer [to the problems – ed.] and should be the most efficient", said Volodymyr Groysman.

Under the project, about UAH 3 billion will be spent to support local governments, to provide new knowledge, to implement new infrastructure projects and execute a set of measures to respond to the needs of communities, said the Prime Minister.

"We have today re-enforced the reform, which is aimed to create a proper system of governance in the country, given that the central government in the country has an absolute political will to devolve both power and resources, and, undoubtedly, responsibility. This is probably for the first time", highlighted Volodymyr Groysman.

The Head of Government noted that "last year, we could have lost this project, but due to the efforts of the Commissioner, our joint efforts, the project was saved." In this context, Volodymyr Groysman thanked the EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn for the comprehensive support of Ukraine.