Ukrainians demand control of reconstruction, crackdown on corruption, and back for EU and NATO membership – survey

According to the survey conducted among Ukrainians, there is a clear desire for stronger local control over reconstruction, tackling corruption, and prioritizing membership in the EU and NATO.

The new municipal survey of the International Republican Institute (IRI) reports this.

The survey shows the high interest of citizens in:

1. How local officials will handle the country's reconstruction after the war's end;
2. The low levels of corruption at the local level;
3. The ongoing support for membership in the EU and NATO.

"This survey demonstrates that local governments and mayors are responding to their citizens' needs amid a military emergency. Mayors and other local officials will play an important role in building Ukraine's future," Stephen Nix, IRI's Eurasia Director, said.

Ukrainians think that mayors and city councils should decide on post-war reconstruction. A survey conducted in all cities revealed that citizens are interested in knowing how much funding the local government received for reconstruction and how it was allocated. The level of interest ranges from 76% to 56% across different cities.

While corruption continues to be a significant issue for Ukrainians, the vast majority of citizens in all regions (79%-93%) indicated that they had not experienced corruption when seeking services in their city.

"The sharp decrease in the number of those who have faced corruption at the local level is an important result for Ukraine. It shows the work that local authorities have done to fight corruption and focus on the needs of their constituents," Nix said.

As in the previous IRI municipal poll, Ukrainians continue to aspire to join the EU and NATO:

• support for EU membership ranges from 91% to 72% among residents of cities that are not on the war front;
• support for NATO membership ranges from 87% to 64% among the same group.

"Ukrainians believe closer ties with the EU and NATO are in their best interests, as our survey showed," Nix said.

Survey results.

Infographics.

For reference:

The survey was conducted by the Sociological group "Rating" on the order of the Center for Analysis and Sociological Research of the International Republican Institute in 21 cities of Ukraine (Kyiv and all regional centers where the security situation allowed conducting the survey) from April 13 to May 14, 2024, using face-to-face interviews at respondents' homes. The sample consisted of 16,800 citizens aged 18 and over. The resulting data in each city were weighted by gender and age using national statistics (as of January 1, 2022). The statistical error of each town does not exceed ±3.5%. The average reach of respondents was 49%. The survey was conducted with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

It should be noted that the Ukraine Recovery Talks event on the "Recovery Window" and media support during the war will take place in Berlin.

On June 10, in Berlin, the capital of Germany, the team and members of the "Window of Recovery" network will hold an informal Ukraine Recovery Talks event for representatives of the authorities, donors, the public sector, and the German media.