Images: Kevin Bückert; Marjan Blan / Unsplash

The formal structure of civil protection in Ukraine

The civil protection system is based on both existing and evolving Ukrainian legislative and regulatory frameworks. The Constitution of Ukraine upholds the state’s obligation to guarantee the security of its citizens, and further defines the role of local self-government bodies in resolving regional issues (1). The introduction of martial law and military powers is particularly relevant in relation to the Lviv Regional Military Administration (LRMA) (2). The Code of Civil Protection of Ukraine outlines the tasks of central and local authorities in providing emergency protection (3). Additional legislation establishes a specific framework for developing regional security programmes and defines strategic guidelines for integration into the European security system (4,5).

In addition to the overall legislative framework, several bylaws and strategic documents are also important. These include, notably, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine’s resolution On the Approval of the State Strategy for Regional Development for 2021–2027 (6), which provides for the integration of security aspects into local policies; the resolution On the Unified State System of Civil Protection (7) and the Presidential decree National Security Strategy of Ukraine: Human Security – National Security (8). These initiatives further establish institutional mechanisms for coordination between the central government and local-level authorities.

Legislation enacted by the President of Ukraine and the National Security and Defence Council plays an important role in fostering national resilience. Specifically, the Presidential decree On the Introduction of a National Resilience System (9) emphasises developing community capacity. It aims to coordinate the efforts of state agencies, local self-government and civil society. The decree highlights the importance of enhancing the institutional capacity of local authorities to effectively respond to emergencies and promote the sustainability of regional communities.

Institutional stability and community capacity

Ukraine’s governance system is designed to maintain institutional stability, enable communities to independently address local issues and provide basic services during crises. These principles are enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine (1) and in On Local Self-Government (4). However, they do not endorse full regional independence or isolation from interregional and national markets.

After 2021, the government adopted a national resilience plan that would also function at the local level (29,30). The plan prioritises the rapid recovery of systems and communities, rather than complete self-sufficiency.

Ukraine has a well-established system of anti-corruption agencies, which includes the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) (134), the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) (135), the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) (136), and the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) (137). Within the framework of the EU integration process, anti-corruption activities in Ukraine have made significant progress. The active involvement of civil society and the support of democratic institutions have improved transparency and accountability at all levels.