Ukraine’s decentralization reform is reshaping the social protection sector. One of the most significant changes has been the transfer of powers from the central to the local level. This shift aims to improve the quality of delivery of social protection programmes. The closer the delivery of social protection programmes are to beneficiaries, the better they can respond to people’s actual needs. However, despite ongoing reforms, people still face serious barriers in accessing the social protection system.

In our previous research, we identified key challenges that hromadas face in delivering social protection programmes. Among the most pressing issues are insufficient funding, staff shortages, and the lack of necessary infrastructure. At the same time, residents of hromadas are often unaware of available support, reluctant to seek support, or encounter obstacles when trying to access assistance. As a result, many people feel insecure and uncertain whether they can rely on state support when they need it.

In cooperation with UNICEF Ukraine, Cedos has launched a new study on the implementation of the social protection reform at the hromada level. The research will focus on identifying solutions to existing challenges and improving the effectiveness of reform implementation. In particular, we will explore ways to strengthen coordination between national and local authorities and to enhance the capacity of hromadas to deliver social protection programmes. Based on our findings, we will provide stakeholders with recommendations to improve the quality of the social protection system so that people can rely on it.

The study will focus on the experiences of four hromadas of different types, located in various regions of Ukraine.

This study is supported by the UK government within the framework of the Social Protection for Inclusion, Resilience, Innovation and Transformation (SPIRIT) project, implemented by UNICEF Ukraine. The views do not necessarily reflect the UK Government’s and the UNICEF Ukraine official policies.