Public Administration Reform in Ukraine: Why Trust Is Still Missing
Ukraine’s public administration reform is a cornerstone of the country’s European aspirations, but trust in the state remains stubbornly low. Despite progress in digitalization, transparency, and anti-corruption, most Ukrainians still don’t trust their government. The reasons are deep-rooted, complex, and often misunderstood.
Anatomy of Distrust
Sociological data shows Ukrainians trust their military and emergency services far more than political institutions. In 2025, only 21% trusted the Verkhovna Rada, and 79% distrusted the state apparatus itself—up from 75% in 2021. This skepticism extends to reforms: civil service reform ranks low in popularity, even as digitalization and anti-corruption efforts are widely supported.
The Roots of Mistrust
Historical Baggage: Centuries of serfdom and Soviet totalitarianism left a legacy of atomized society, where trust in formal institutions is scarce.
Personal Experience: For many, state interaction means queues, bureaucracy, and corruption. While reforms have reduced these problems, the perception lingers.
Low Awareness: The reform’s internal and external components—merit-based recruitment, digital services, and service-oriented governance—are often invisible or misunderstood by the public.
Disinformation: Russian propaganda exploits these fears, painting complex reforms as evidence of state incompetence and hopelessness.
Why Myths Persist
“Foreigners on Supervisory Boards Means ‘Foreign Control’”
The myth that foreigners on state-owned enterprise boards means “foreign control” is widespread. In reality, foreign professionals are brought in to ensure independence and reduce corruption. It’s standard practice internationally—including in the EU—to allow foreign board members. The real challenge is ensuring transparent procedures and accountability, not the nationality of board members.
“Anti-Corruption Bodies Are a Ukrainian Invention”
Specialized anti-corruption agencies exist worldwide, from France and South Korea to the US and UK. Ukraine’s NABU and NACP follow global standards and collaborate internationally. Anti-corruption bodies are not unique to Ukraine—they’re a global norm.
“Civil Servants Do Nothing”
This myth stems from negative personal experiences and the “invisibility” of civil servants’ work. The reality is that ministries and agencies respond to public needs, and their work underpins everything from social payments to digital services. International assessments confirm Ukraine’s public administration has remained resilient, even during wartime.
Making Reform Visible
Distrust persists because reforms are complex, often invisible, and poorly communicated. The solution is clear: explain the logic of change, show how decisions are made, and make the “invisible” work of civil servants visible. Public administration reform is not just about efficiency—it’s about building a state that citizens can trust, even in crisis.
#Ukraine #Reform #Trust #CivilService #AntiCorruption #Digitalization #EUIntegration
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Ukraine’s public administration reform is a cornerstone of the country’s European aspirations, but trust in the state remains stubbornly low. Despite progress in digitalization, transparency, and anti-corruption, most Ukrainians still don’t trust their government. The reasons are deep-rooted, complex, and often misunderstood.
Anatomy of Distrust
Sociological data shows Ukrainians trust their military and emergency services far more than political institutions. In 2025, only 21% trusted the Verkhovna Rada, and 79% distrusted the state apparatus itself—up from 75% in 2021. This skepticism extends to reforms: civil service reform ranks low in popularity, even as digitalization and anti-corruption efforts are widely supported.
The Roots of Mistrust
Historical Baggage: Centuries of serfdom and Soviet totalitarianism left a legacy of atomized society, where trust in formal institutions is scarce.
Personal Experience: For many, state interaction means queues, bureaucracy, and corruption. While reforms have reduced these problems, the perception lingers.
Low Awareness: The reform’s internal and external components—merit-based recruitment, digital services, and service-oriented governance—are often invisible or misunderstood by the public.
Disinformation: Russian propaganda exploits these fears, painting complex reforms as evidence of state incompetence and hopelessness.
Why Myths Persist
“Foreigners on Supervisory Boards Means ‘Foreign Control’”
The myth that foreigners on state-owned enterprise boards means “foreign control” is widespread. In reality, foreign professionals are brought in to ensure independence and reduce corruption. It’s standard practice internationally—including in the EU—to allow foreign board members. The real challenge is ensuring transparent procedures and accountability, not the nationality of board members.
“Anti-Corruption Bodies Are a Ukrainian Invention”
Specialized anti-corruption agencies exist worldwide, from France and South Korea to the US and UK. Ukraine’s NABU and NACP follow global standards and collaborate internationally. Anti-corruption bodies are not unique to Ukraine—they’re a global norm.
“Civil Servants Do Nothing”
This myth stems from negative personal experiences and the “invisibility” of civil servants’ work. The reality is that ministries and agencies respond to public needs, and their work underpins everything from social payments to digital services. International assessments confirm Ukraine’s public administration has remained resilient, even during wartime.
Making Reform Visible
Distrust persists because reforms are complex, often invisible, and poorly communicated. The solution is clear: explain the logic of change, show how decisions are made, and make the “invisible” work of civil servants visible. Public administration reform is not just about efficiency—it’s about building a state that citizens can trust, even in crisis.
#Ukraine #Reform #Trust #CivilService #AntiCorruption #Digitalization #EUIntegration
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