EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BY KEY CRITERIA (2021–2026)

Abstract

The article presents a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of social services administration at the local level in Ukraine for the period 2021–2026, based on five key criteria: service coverage, financial capacity of communities, staffing provision, involvement of non-state providers, and inter-municipal cooperation.

Based on official statistical data, budget portals (OpenBudget), the results of field research in 24 communities across six oblasts, and sociological surveys, the study shows that the full-scale war has significantly changed the conditions of service provision, dramatically increased demand for social services, and accelerated the development of market mechanisms for their delivery. The actual coverage of home care remains low (approximately 10% of persons with limited mobility), the financial capacity of displaced communities is 2–3.6 times lower than that of rear communities, staff workload exceeds standard norms, and the mechanisms of social contracting and inter-municipal cooperation are used only to a limited extent. At the same time, positive developments have been recorded: the expansion of the network of Resilience Centers, the increase, starting in 2026, of the ceiling on social workers' salaries (coefficient 2.5), and the gradual strengthening of communities' institutional capacity. The results of the study can be used by local self-government bodies and public authorities to improve social service provision policy under conditions of war and post-war recovery.