On April 24, 2026, at Osvitoria Hub, the Anti-Corruption Center MEZHA organized an expert roundtable discussion titled “How to strengthen the role of the civil society in public investment management?”.
The discussion was based on the results of a study conducted by the MEZHA Anti-Corruption Center on the progress of the public investment management reform, with particular attention to transparency and public participation at the stages of planning, priority-setting, and the selection of investment projects at the national, regional, and local levels.
The discussion brought together representatives of both civil society and public authorities to develop shared approaches, creating an opportunity for a comprehensive analysis of the reform’s progress and the challenges associated with its implementation from different perspectives. The event was attended by representatives of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, the Ministry of Economy, the Accounting Chamber, local self-government bodies and leading civil society organizations.
During the discussion, speakers and participants, among other things, arrived at the following conclusions:
1) Excessive centralization of public investment management does not align with international standards of transparency and public participation. The representatives of civil society expect the decision-making process, as well as the selection and evaluation of public investment projects, to become more transparent and inclusive, with the needs of each community being fairly taken into account. Currently, the Government is responsible for shaping policy related to the implementation of the reform and is a member of the Strategic Investment Council, while the leadership of line ministries determines the composition of the Interagency Commission and the Interagency Working Group. This configuration creates a risk of politicization of decision-making during project selection.
2) The prioritization and efficient use of funds are key issues in the context of war. The discussion raised concerns regarding the financing of certain projects, particularly those located in frontline areas and exposed to a high risk of repeated damage. Participants also discussed the reconstruction of a kindergarten in Staryi Saltiv, located near the city of Vovchansk. Due to security considerations, proximity to the line of contact, and the actual absence of children in the community, the local authorities took into account public concerns and suspended the project.
3) There is a need to establish a legislative framework for the participation of civil society, associations of local self-government bodies, experts, and businesses in the work of consultative and advisory bodies that make key decisions in investment management. Currently, the Government Resolutions which regulate public investment management do not provide for representative participation of all stakeholders. As a result, the approved regulations on investment councils at the community and regional levels only replicate provisions of subordinate legislation. Consequently, representatives of civil society in most of the studied communities are not involved in public investment management processes.
In addition, the discussion addressed the development and adoption of the draft Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2026–2030 and its potential role in improving regulatory procedures for the use of funds for public investment projects.
4) There is a need to increase transparency and inclusiveness in the decision-making process regarding project selection. The work of consultative and advisory bodies at the national level is not properly disclosed. In particular, some line ministries do not announce information about meetings and do not publish minutes of meetings. Transparent decision-making principles would help avoid concerns regarding the prioritization of projects included in the Unified Project Portfolio and their subsequent financing.
5) The specific context of communities located in areas of active hostilities must be taken into account. During the discussion, participants concluded that the issue of public investment management in communities most affected by the aggression of the russian federation remains highly relevant. Due to ongoing shelling, long-term strategic planning cannot be properly implemented. The process of selecting and evaluating public investment projects becomes secondary, as ensuring community safety takes precedence.
This event was made possible with the financial support of the International Fund “Renaissance”.