Analysis of barriers to ensuring transparency and openness of territorial community management in the conditions of digital transformation of the economy

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the barriers to ensuring transparency and openness in the management of territorial communities in the context of decentralization and modern socio-economic challenges. It is substantiated that the transparency of the activities of local government bodies is a key prerequisite for building public trust, increasing the accountability of officials, preventing corruption risks and developing mechanisms for public participation. Particular attention is paid to the impact of the concept of barrier-free access, defined by the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Space in Ukraine by 2030, on ensuring equal access of the population to public information and administrative procedures. The regulatory and legal framework for implementing the principles of openness is analyzed, in particular the provisions of the legislation on access to public information and standards of democratic governance. Based on the generalization of the results of the study conducted by the U-LEAD program with Europe, key practical problems were identified: insufficient level of disclosure of administrative information, unsystematic use of digital communication channels, technical limitations of online broadcasts, weak development of open data on municipal property, as well as low awareness of citizens about mechanisms of responsibility for violation of the principles of transparency.

It was established that a significant proportion of communities do not ensure regular and complete disclosure of video recordings of plenary sessions and updating of information on official web resources, which forms information and digital barriers for the participation of the population in administrative processes. The need to implement unified standards of digital transparency, adapt information platforms to the needs of different social groups, develop e-democracy tools and strengthen accountability mechanisms of local self-government bodies was emphasized.

It was concluded that overcoming the identified barriers requires a systemic and comprehensive approach that combines regulatory improvement, institutional capacity of local governments and activation of public participation. Of decisive importance is the digital modernization of management processes, the introduction of unified standards of information openness, ensuring regular publication of complete and reliable data, as well as the adaptation of information resources to the principles of accessibility. At the same time, increasing the level of legal and information culture of the population, developing mechanisms of public control and improving the system of responsibility of officials for violating transparency requirements are necessary conditions for the formation of accountable and effective local governance. The implementation of these areas will contribute to strengthening citizens' trust in government bodies, expanding residents' participation in decision-making and establishing an open model of governance of territorial communities in Ukraine.