Survey finds over half of Ukrainian firms excluded from government consultations

Integrity-based recovery in Ukraine: what businesses say

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: According to a new study, “Restoring Ukraine with Integrity: The Role of Ethical Business,” conducted by Accountability Lab together with the Professional Association of Corporate Governance (PACU), 51% of surveyed companies said they were not consulted by the authorities during 2024–2025 on decisions affecting their operations. The finding points to a serious gap in public-private dialogue, one that could slow the country's reconstruction efforts.

The research drew on responses from 118 companies within the PACU network. Participants shared their views through an anonymous survey and 10 in-depth interviews. Of those surveyed, 60 companies reported having no consultations with national or local government bodies. A further 35 respondents said they tried to open a dialogue with officials but got nowhere. Another 23 firms said they were invited to consultations but declined to take part.

Recommendations for stronger engagement

On the positive side, 57 companies-or 48% of respondents-said they did take part in discussions during the same period. The most common forms of involvement were:

• participation in working groups and advisory councils,
• public hearings,
• written comments on draft proposals,
• informal meetings with public officials.

Even then, one interview participant said her proposals were only superficially acknowledged, and the authorities ultimately adopted a decision that had effectively been made in advance.

The study was supported by the New Democracy Fund, which receives funding from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Based on the findings, researchers recommend:

• setting clear consultation standards,
• requiring officials to respond to business input,
• publishing explanations of how comments influenced decisions,
• training public servants,
• developing standards for ethical interaction,
• conducting digital consultations,
• launching online feedback tools,
• sending structured requests,
• organizing topic-specific workshops.

Business associations are also encouraged to hold their own forums and roundtables bringing together entrepreneurs and government representatives. Such efforts could improve how decisions affecting the economy are made and implemented.

The findings highlight a pressing need for better communication between Ukraine's private sector and state institutions. Without meaningful dialogue, there is a risk that business needs and government strategies will remain out of sync, making reforms harder to advance. The researchers' suggestions offer a possible way forward toward more transparent and effective cooperation.

The results were published on the Rubryka website on August 19, 2026.

The lack of effective communication between businesses and government is particularly concerning in light of recent findings that the construction sector poses a significant integrity risk for Ukraine's rebuilding efforts. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for stakeholders involved in the recovery process. To explore this further, read about the integrity challenges facing the construction industry.