Lipovska S. Provision of organizational capacity of local communities under decentralization

In the dissertation the theoretical summarising is made and practical recommendations on the solution of the relevant scientific task in providing organizational capacity of local communities as a component of local self-government capacity under decentralization of public authority in Ukraine are developed. Theoretical findings within the subject field of the study of organizational capacity of local communities are summarised and the differences in the meaningful content of the concepts «organizational ability», «organizational capacity» and «organizational efficiency» are scientifically revealed. Theoretical approaches to the capacity building of local communities in the course of decentralization have been improved, namely: it has been proved that ensuring the organizational capacity of communities is a decisive factor for improving the level of service provision and resource efficiency. Foreign experience in implementing decentralization policy, forming of organizational capacity is researched and generalized and prospects of its adaptation to Ukrainian realities are determined. The legal framework for the formation of capable communities in Ukraine and the role of organizational capacity in this process are analyzed. The key stages of the evolution of the legal framework for organizational capacity are outlined, the main consequences for practice are identified and the necessary changes are updated. The challenges of decentralization policy in Ukraine regarding the organizational capacity of local communities have been demonstrated, the main problems of transition from organizational capacity as a potential and real opportunity to address local issues and to ensure sustainable development of the community to real capacity have been identified. Advantages and disadvantages of current practices of organizational capacity of local communities are identified, typical mistakes are revealed. Being based on benchmarking of best practices of the local communities of southern Ukraine, a number of best practices have been identified regarding various aspects of organizational capacity. Methodical approaches to the design of organizational structures of the local community are summarized, including the selection of models of organizational structures, their design, calculation of the boundary numbers, which makes it possible to simplify the decision-making process. Practical ways in providing organizational capacity of local communities in Ukraine under decentralization have been theoretically revealed, That has been reflected in the algorithm of providing organizational capacity of local communities, which is an interconnected, logically constructed sequence of actions that reflects the need for: analyses and evaluation of the organisational structures, interconnections and procedures at the level of the local community; selection of the most appropriate model for building organizational structures of governance in local self-government bodies; design of the appropriate structures in unity and interconnection using the methodology of calculating the optimal number of local self-government officials; development or improvement of activity regulation; application of innovative tools, methods and technologies; implementation of a methodology for assessing the organizational capacity of local self-government in the community. The necessity to create electronic administrative Regulations, which specify the automaticity or automation of administrative procedures for the implementation of functions performed by local self-government bodies within their internal activity, provision of administrative services and/or interaction with other public authorities, is emphasized. The role of reengineering of administrative processes taking the case of implementing specific public management instruments in the activity of local self-government bodies as a factor of ensuring organizational capacity of local communities has been updated. Such tools include the extrapolation of "smart interaction" practices, outsourcing, and collaboration, especially in the form of common governing bodies.