SPECIFICS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT REFORM IN THE CONTEXT OF PRESERVING REGIONAL CULTURAL FEATURES

Abstract

The article focuses on the decisive role of culture in the formation of a legal and democratic state in Ukraine. It argues that culture, encompassing both material and spiritual heritage, plays a key role in the development of civil society and contributes to the competitive and future-oriented development of the country.
The recent surge in cultural production and activism has been an integral part of Ukraine's transition to a civic identity based on shared values and has played an important role in countering Russian cultural narratives. The central place in the discussion is occupied by the influence of cultural activism on the processes of decentralization in Ukraine. Cultural initiatives, especially in war-affected regions, play an important role in shaping the subjectivity of local communities, strengthening community cohesion, and playing a significant role in local development programs. The article emphasizes the changing perception of culture as a driving factor of Ukraine's economic growth, and the creative industries sector is becoming a catalyst for innovation, job creation and contribution to GDP. The decentralization reform launched in 2014 has led to problems of equitable distribution of cultural resources and consumption, especially between urban centers and rural areas. In response, the Ministry of Culture initiated reforms to assess the effectiveness of cultural institutions, which led to the restructuring of cultural services and the expansion of the powers of amalgamated territorial communities (ATCs).
The article also discusses the challenges and successes of cultural reform in different communities, the implementation of the updated Law of Ukraine «On Culture» and the role of NGOs in urban development. It emphasizes the need for a strategic approach to the management of cultural processes and funding models, highlighting the imbalances in the distribution of funding and the struggle of cultural institutions to adapt to new economic conditions.