European Models of Power Decentralization in a Benchmarking Analysis and Implementation Challenges for Ukraine

The article presents a comparative analytical (benchmarking) study of decentralization models in European countries and outlines the challenges of their implementation in Ukraine. It examines the key principles enshrined in the European Charter of Local Self-Government and the specific features of decentralization processes in Germany, Poland, and France. Differences in financial autonomy, institutional structures, and mechanisms of inter-municipal cooperation are highlighted. Based on a scoring system and visualization of results through a radar chart, the strengths and weaknesses of each model are analyzed. The study shows that for Ukraine, the most pressing issues include ensuring the financial capacity of local communities, stabilizing the regulatory environment, and fostering horizontal cooperation. The article concludes on the feasibility of adapting selected European practices while taking into account the national context.