How can municipal enterprise reform become more than a formal change of status and instead serve as a tool for more effective management and better-quality services? This was one of the topics discussed at the Lviv Eco Forum — an annual platform for dialogue on the development and modernisation of Ukraine’s water sector, bringing together representatives of the sector, national and local authorities, international partners, the expert community and businesses.
Tetiana Stankus, Expert in the Municipal Enterprises Reform area of the Polaris Programme, joined the discussion on the corporatisation of municipal enterprises and public-private partnerships. Participants discussed the opportunities and risks associated with corporatisation, the role of supervisory boards, effective corporate governance and investment attraction.
“For us, it is important that the reform does not come down to a purely formal transformation of enterprises. Hromadas need clear tools, professional support and the opportunity to gradually introduce new approaches in a way that genuinely strengthens management and improves the quality of services,” said Tetiana Stankus.
Polaris supports hromadas in conducting comprehensive assessments of asset and resource management, provides tailored consultations, helps introduce corporate governance policies in line with European standards and good practices, and develops practical guidance and proposals for improving legislation.
Experience from our work shows a high level of interest among hromadas and municipal enterprises in implementing changes. At the same time, there are systemic challenges, including shortages of staff and other resources, gaps in legislation, and a significant number of new requirements that need to be implemented simultaneously.
During the pilot phase, Polaris experts provided tailored support to 8 municipal enterprises from 5 hromadas, delivered 5 thematic trainings and webinars for 1,750 participants, and addressed more than 500 practical questions from hromadas and municipal enterprises. The team also prepared 2 collections of materials and a series of publications with step-by-step guidance and document templates to support the implementation of Law No. 4196.
For the next phase of tailored support, 59 applications have already been received from hromadas and municipal enterprises across 15 oblasts of Ukraine.
