THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE

Abstract

Failure of national policies for sustainable development and ineffective implementation at the local level because of ineffective and underfunded local governments is a major problem for rural Ukraine.  Although plans have been formulated and intentions are good, rural development programs languish due to lack of follow through in implementation and funding.  The level of services available to rural Ukrainians lags far behind their urban fellow citizens, resulting in a much lower quality of life.  In order to enact rural development programs similar to those used effectively in other countries, it is critical to foster local self-governance, decentralize the management and administration of rural development programs, build a more civil society, encourage cooperation between the public and private sectors, and broaden participation among local communities.