Ensuring governance resilience and continuity of public service delivery in wartime and emergency conditions in Ukraine

Abstract

The article explores strategies for ensuring the resilience and continuity of public service delivery in Ukraine under martial law and prolonged crisis conditions. It analyzes best international practices for adapting public governance systems to extreme circumstances, drawing on the experiences of countries that have endured protracted military conflicts (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Afghanistan) as well as large-scale natural and technological disasters (Japan following the Fukushima-1 nuclear accident and New Zealand after a series of earthquakes). The study identifies key factors ensuring the resilience of public services, including proactive planning, decentralization of authority, digitalization of management processes, and innovative approaches to workforce management. The article highlights the primary challenges facing Ukraine’s public sector during wartime, such as the destruction of critical infrastructure, shortages of resources and personnel, and the need for rapid adaptation of regulatory mechanisms and procedures. A conceptual model for adapting Ukraine’s public governance system is proposed, comprising the prioritization of critical services, strengthening the autonomy of local governments, scaling up digital tools, establishing a flexible personnel management framework, and implementing new regulatory mechanisms. Special attention is given to the role of digitalization in maintaining public service accessibility amid the destructive impacts of armed conflict and fostering an inclusive approach to assisting affected communities. The research methodology is based on a systemic approach that enables a comprehensive assessment of challenges and opportunities for public service adaptation. The study employs theoretical and methodological analysis, case studies, comparative analysis of international practices, and content analysis of official reports from international organizations (World Bank, OECD, WFP) and Ukrainian government agencies. The findings demonstrate that the implementation of digital technologies, the development of local governance ecosystems, and the enhancement of public servants’ competencies are critical for ensuring the resilience of public services, maintaining public trust, and supporting institutional viability during prolonged crises. The proposed recommendations include strengthening decentralization, advancing the digitalization of administrative services, integrating crisis protocols into government operations, and fostering workforce capabilities aligned with contemporary challenges. The article offers both theoretical insights and practical guidance for modernizing public governance in Ukraine during wartime and in the post-war recovery period.