Вплив реформи децентралізації на консолідацію суспільства та зміцнення державної єдності України

The article examines the impact of the decentralization reform on strengthening the unity of Ukraine and the consolidation of society. The reform became a key factor in the modernization of the state management system, transferring more powers to local communities. The study analyzes the social, economic and political aspects of the reform, which contributed to the reduction of regional disparities and the improvement of the effectiveness of management at the local level. Particular attention is paid to the institutional and financial resilience of territorial communities, which became possible thanks to decentralization. The article argues that the strengthening of local self-government allowed communities to better cope with crisis situations, which in the conditions of the war with Russia played a decisive role in preserving state unity. The changes in inter-budgetary relations between the centre and communities, which contributed to the increase of financial independence of territorial communities, and, as a result, their ability to perform some functions of the state in critical situations, were analyzed. Attention is also paid to the social resilience of communities, in particular, the impact of decentralization on the deepening of trust between residents and local authorities. The decentralization reform also played an important role in the process of European integration of Ukraine. The transfer of powers to the local level and the implementation of European standards of local self-government allowed Ukraine to approach EU practices in the field of community (municipal) management, strengthening democratic institutions and increasing the transparency of management processes. The role of local identity in the process of decentralization and its impact on national unity is separately considered. The article proves that decentralization contributed to the formation of local identity, which, in turn, strengthens the all-Ukrainian identity. A conclusion was made about the importance of completing the decentralization reform to ensure the stability of Ukraine, the unity of its territories and social consolidation.