On 28 May 2025, the Polaris Programme “Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine” held a presentation of policy proposals on integrating tax administrative services into ASCs. Nearly 200 participants joined the event, including representatives of local self-government bodies, municipal associations, ASC leaders, and expert practitioners.
The integration of tax services into ASCs is seen as a solution to the accessibility gap caused by the shrinking network of the State Tax Service and the decreasing number of taxpayer service centres.
“One of Polaris’s key priorities is ensuring access to administrative services through ASCs. We aim to respond quickly to emerging challenges, including the physical accessibility of tax services in hromadas. Overcoming this challenge requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. I hope that effective collaboration among all stakeholders will turn current and future challenges into new opportunities for hromada development,” said Susanna Dellans, Team Leader of the Polaris Programme team and SALAR International representative in Ukraine.
The relevance of integrating tax administrative services into ASCs is underscored by the fact that in 2024, the State Tax Service of Ukraine delivered over 5.18 million services – 50.2% in person and 49.8% electronically.
Taras Dobrovskiy, Executive Director of the All-Ukrainian Association of Amalgamated Communities, expressed his appreciation for the cooperation with Polaris and emphasised the importance of platforms for experience sharing between experts and hromada representatives.
“Since the beginning of the decentralisation reform, ASCs have become a key space where citizens can access services quickly, efficiently, and conveniently, without unnecessary bureaucracy. This builds trust between citizens and local self-government bodies. People feel real change and see the effectiveness of local authorities. In March, our Association, together with Polaris, presented the successful case of integrating tax services into the ASC of the Merefa Hromada in Kharkiv Oblast – a member of our Association,” he stated.
Roman Matviychuk, Polaris Programme expert on administrative service accessibility, presented analytical findings and practical recommendations for advancing the integration of tax services into ASCs. He highlighted that this process not only brings services closer to people and improves convenience but also enhances the efficiency of local governance and contributes to increased hromada budget revenues.
The event also included a panel discussion with representatives of local self-government, ASC leaders, and municipal associations. The session focused on the challenges and prospects of tax service integration into ASCs. Panellists included:
• Tetiana Arsenyuk, Deputy Executive Director, All-Ukrainian Association of Amalgamated Hromadas
• Oksana Bulipop, Head of the ASC of Merefa Hromada, Kharkiv Oblast
• Liudmyla Zelenska, Head of the ASC of Kryvyi Rih Hromada, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
• Viktor Tymoshchuk, Polaris expert on administrative services accessibility policy
The Polaris Programme will continue to support multilevel dialogue aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of public services for all citizens.
