Decentralization: implementation of a new system of administrative and territorial structure

The decentralization reform that is currently taking place in Ukraine has set the stage for radical institutional changes, for improving the quality of life of citizens and for the continuation of sectoral reforms. Changes in the territorial management system, decentralization in the fields of medicine, education, service delivery are showing considerable pace and, most importantly, real positive developments. The article analyzes the state of implementation of the new system of administrative and territorial system in Ukraine. The five leading regions in implementing the tasks of decentralization remain unchanged, namely: Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporozhye, Khmelnitsky regions. But the overall picture of the process of forming an UTC has negative signs: the area of all UTC is 41% of the total area of Ukraine. The population of UTC is 29.1% of the total population of Ukraine. As of September 2019, only 20 districts out of the 488 available are fully covered by UTC. There are 86 districts where no UTC s have been created, 37% of all UTCs have a population of less than 5,000. Man. In 30% of the oblasts, small communities account for about 50% of their total. Among the main problems in completing the first stage of reforming local government and territorial organization of government and the risks associated with them are the exacerbation of inherited territorial disparities, the problems of institutional excellence of decentralized units receiving delegated powers. The article substantiates the recommendations for the introduction of a new system of administrative and territorial structure in Ukraine at the state and regional level.