Integrating Mediation into Public Administration: Lessons from European Practices

Introduction: Mediation is now essential for resolving public administration disputes, which reduces social tensions and promotes trust in public institutions. The present study attempts to answer questions on the effectiveness of mediation in public administration, particularly on the institutionalisation of this institution in the EU countries and on the feasibility of mediation application in Ukraine. The research aims to evaluate the European experience of institutionalising mediation, to uncover the possibilities for applying mediation procedures in the Ukraine, and the general research objectives are to study the operational efficiency of mediation in public administration. This study is to analyze extant mediation models, compare their effectiveness in other countries and address success factors of different factors and suggesting European experience adaptation to Ukrainian context.Methods: The research methodology includes quantitative and qualitative methods: The research methods employed were questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, case studies and comparative analysis.Results: The study revealed that mediation is an effective conflict resolution mechanism that facilitates the decrease in the number of bilateral court disputes, reduces the duration of conflict resolution, and increases confidence in government institutions.Conclusions: The practical significance of the findings lies in developing recommendations to improve the legislative framework, creating regional mediation centres, and supporting this tool among the citizens. These measures will help decrease social conflicts and improve efficiency in the administrative processes in Ukraine. The institutionalisation of mediation procedures has been found, based on European experience, to enhance the democratisation of governance and to increase the transparency and efficiency of administrative processes.