On 19 May, a presentation of the Transparency Ranking of Ukraine’s 100 largest cities was hosted by Transparency International Ukraine. During the event, representatives of local governments discussed how transparent governance helps cities withstand challenges, recover, and transform.
“Despite the devastating impact of Russia’s full-scale war — which continues to destroy infrastructure, displace millions, and test the very core of local governance — today’s presentation proves one important point: transparency is not a luxury in wartime; it is a necessity and despite the war, good progress is made in many cities, including in those close to the frontline” – Allan Pagh Kristensen, Head of the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI), emphasized in his introductory remarks.
The winner as the most transparent city is Chernivtsi – an Integrity City of the EUACI since 2018, followed by Vinnytsia, Lutsk, Mukachevo, and Lviv. Another 22 cities were recognised as “partially transparent,” and the remaining 72 as “non-transparent.”
Particularly noteworthy is the progress made by frontline communities: their average transparency score reached 43.9% – higher than the national average of 41.6%. Mykolaiv – another Integrity City of the EUACI – became the leading frontline city, while Zaporizhzhia showed the most significant improvement in transparency among all cities.
The 2024 study was conducted with the EUAСI’s support and based on an updated methodology that includes 70 indicators. The ranking covers 100 of Ukraine’s largest cities across 21 regions.
