The Ukrainian chapter of the global anti-corruption network Transparency International has measured transparency of the investment sector of 100 biggest Ukrainian cities as part of the Transparent Cities program.

Foreign investors, Ukrainian enterprises and social departments of city authorities joined the experts of TIU to develop the methodology. 17 indicators have been eventually defined, which help to reflect the real situation with the city’s transparency in the investment sector. The methodology can be found here.

Research results of investment sector transparency ranking of 100 biggest Ukrainian cities. Top 50.

We have verified cities’ anti-corruption programs, existing and published policy on the conflict of interest in the city councils, inspection of activity of municipal enterprises, availability of tools and opportunities in the investment sector etc.

Research results of investment sector transparency ranking of 100 biggest Ukrainian cities. Bottom 50.

The first place goes to Ivano-Frankivsk with 15 points out of 20. To achieve the maximum score, we recommend the city to implement electronic auctions of seasonal trade, connect the city to the platform helping people to open their own business, publish the list of effective regulatory acts, include entrepreneurs in the executive committee. Ivano-Frankivsk’s best practice is the city’s Investment Portal http://invest-if.com/uk/.

The second place goes to Kyiv with 12.7 points. We recommend the city to implement the following recommendations: publish information on utility networks, regulate the conflict of interest of members of the executive committee, connect the city to the platform helping people to start their own business. Kyiv’s best practice is electronic auctions for sales of rights for seasonal trade.

The third place, with only 0.7 points separating it from the runner-up, goes to Vinnytsia. The city needs to improve the situation with inclusion of entrepreneurs to the executive committee, regulate the conflict of interest of members of the executive committee, publish information on utility networks on the official website and introduce electronic auctions for seasonal trade. The best practice in the city is the section for work with investors. Vinnytsia currently has 12 points out of 20.

Top 3 of the Investment Sector Transparency Ranking

The least transparent indicator out of 17 is connection to the official platform helping people to start a business – only Vinnytsia and Zhytomyr are connected to it. The most transparent indicator is publication of information on investment objects/projects offered by city authorities on the website regardless of their form of ownership – 69 cities have this information.

Transparency of indicators of the Investment sector, %

The results of the research can help to reduce corruption risks and facilitate investments and starting a new business on the local level.

The results of transparency assessment of the investment sector will become part of the bigger research Transparency Ranking of 100 biggest Ukrainian cities.