THE CONCEPT OF MULTI-LEVEL GOVERNANCE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF REGIONAL AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/econlaw.2025.03.120Keywords:
multi-level governance, coordination, decentralization, subnational level, regional and local developmentAbstract
The article explores the principles of the multi-level governance (MLG) concept. MLG is defined as a decision-making process aimed at achieving jointly agreed objectives in specific areas of public life. It involves a system of institutions and actions by public authorities operating at different levels of government, coordinated both among themselves and with representatives of the private and public sectors. Decisions are made in a multi-actor, institutionalized environment where most participants are formally independent but functionally interdependent. The decision-making process is preceded by formal and informal interactions, including consultations, negotiations, consensus-building, and agreements.
The article identifies key features of the transformation of the MLG model, such as the increasing role of the subnational level; the decline of hierarchical control and the strengthening of horizontal linkages; greater mobility and the use of informal networks; enhanced cooperation within subnational authorities; and the internationalization of horizontal cooperation among subnational entities.
The main challenges to implementing MLG in Ukraine are also examined. These include the need for greater social and political maturity among citizens and institutions to support reduced hierarchy and expanded horizontal coordination; the risk of political and social conflict, risk of elite dominance, and lobbying where local elites are overly influential and local governments lack institutional capacity; underdeveloped institutional frameworks; and insufficient coordination across levels of government and policy sectors, reflected in the inconsistency of programmatic documents (e.g., programs, strategies) developed at different administrative levels.
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