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On 26 January, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (CMU) adopted Resolution №94 "Some Issues of Social Support for Internally Displaced Persons and Other Vulnerable Categories of Persons". According to this Resolution:

- the payment of accommodation allowance to internally displaced persons shall be extended automatically from 1 February 2024 for one month without additional application for persons whose six-month period of receiving such allowance expired in January 2024;

- starting from 1 February 2024, it is possible to apply for the extension of the accommodation allowance to internally displaced persons who are entitled to its extension after 1 March 2024, by the "Procedure for Providing Accommodation Allowance to Internally Displaced Persons" approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 332 "Some Issues of Payment of Accommodation Allowance to Internally Displaced Persons" dated 20 March 2022;

- the accommodation allowance for internally displaced persons who are eligible for it and have personally applied for the extension of its payment during February - March 2024, shall be assigned and paid starting from 1 March 2024.

Amendments were also made to several Government Resolutions on social support for internally displaced persons and other vulnerable categories of persons, in particular:

- "The Procedure for Providing Monthly Financial Assistance to a Person Living with a Person with a Disability of Group I or II as a result of a Mental Disorder, Who, according to the Conclusion of the Medical Commission of a Health Care Institution, Needs Permanent Outside Care, for the Care of Such Person", approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 1192 of 2 August 2000;

-“The Procedure for Appointing and Paying State Assistance to Families with Children”, approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 27 December 2001, № 1751;

- “The Procedure for Appointing and Paying State Social Assistance to Low-Income Families”, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on 24 February 2003, № 250;

- “The Procedure for Granting and Paying Temporary State Assistance to Children Whose Parents Avoid Paying Alimony, Are Unable to Support the Child, or whose place of Residence is Unknown”, approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 189 of 22 February 2006;

- “The Procedure for Payment of Allowances for Children Raised in Large Families”, approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 250 "Some Issues of Providing Social Support to Large Families" dated 13 March 2019;

- "The Procedure for Calculating the Average Monthly Total Family (Household) Income for All Types of State Social Assistance", approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 632 "Some Issues of State Social Assistance Payment" dated 22 July 2020;

- “The Procedure for the Appointment and Payment of State Social Assistance to Persons with Disabilities from Childhood and Children with Disabilities”, approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 79 "Some Issues of Appointment and Payment of State Social Assistance to Persons with Disabilities from Childhood and Children with Disabilities" dated 3 February 2021;

- “The Procedure for Providing Accommodation Allowance to Internally Displaced Persons”, approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 332 of 20 March 2022 "Some Issues of Payment of Accommodation Allowance to Internally Displaced Persons";

- Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 11 July 2023 № 709 "Some Issues of Support for Internally Displaced Persons".

On 26 January, the CMU adopted Resolution № 90 "On Amendments to the Procedures Approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 451 dated 28 April 2021 "Issues of Providing Concessional Mortgage Loans to Internally Displaced Persons at the Expense of a Grant Provided by the KfW". This Resolution updated the conditions for obtaining the above-mentioned preferential mortgage loans.

On 26 January, the CMU adopted Resolution №70 "On Approval of the Procedure for Organising and Controlling the Implementation of the Requirements of Civil Protection Legislation by State Authorities and Local Self-Government Bodies". This Resolution approved the above-mentioned Procedure, which defines

- requirements for organising and conducting comprehensive, control and targeted inspections of compliance with the requirements of civil protection legislation (including by local self-government bodies)

- requirements for assessing the implementation of civil protection legislation by local self-government bodies;

- lists of questions for checking compliance with the requirements of civil protection legislation by local self-government bodies.

On 23 January, the CMU adopted Resolution №73 "On Approval of the Procedure and Conditions for Providing Subventions from the State Budget to Local Budgets in 2024 to Support Certain Institutions and Activities in the Healthcare System". Local governments are recommended (if necessary):

- to plan and pay from local budgets in addition to the amount of the subvention for the expenditures specified in clause 3 of the Procedure and Conditions approved by this resolution, including the repayment of budgetary obligations of previous periods registered with the State Treasury Service;

- to transfer the subvention for certain expenditures in the form of an inter-budget transfer to the relevant local budget if there are not enough budgetary institutions and other communal property entities providing public services on the territory of the territorial community.

The transfer of subventions between local budgets is carried out based on decisions of the respective local councils adopted by each of the parties and the relevant agreements concluded.

On 19 January, the CMU adopted Resolution № 52 "On Amendments to Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 841 dated 21 August 2019 "On Approval of the Procedure and Conditions for Providing in 2023 an Additional Subsidy from the State Budget to Local Budgets for the Exercise of Powers of Local Self-Government Bodies in the De-occupied, Temporarily Occupied and Other Territories of Ukraine Affected by the Full-Scale Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation". According to the amendments:

- the CMU Resolution No. 841 dated 21 August 2019 was extended until 2024;

- the "Procedure and Conditions for Providing in 2024 an Additional Subsidy from the State Budget to Local Budgets for the Exercise of Powers of Local Self-Government Bodies in the De-occupied, Temporarily Occupied and Other Territories of Ukraine Affected by the Full-Scale Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation" was updated;

- introduced a two-stage algorithm for the distribution of such additional subsidies;

- updated the formulas used to calculate the amount of the additional subsidy at the first and second stages;

- approved the distribution of an additional subsidy from the state budget to the local budgets of the Ivanivka village, Kolochava village and Starokostiantyniv town territorial communities for the exercise of the powers of local self-government bodies in the de-occupied, temporarily occupied and other territories of Ukraine that have been negatively affected by the full-scale armed aggression of the russian federation for 2024 between local budgets in the total amount of over UAH 28 million.

On 16 January, the CMU adopted Resolution №47 "On Amendments to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 76 "Some Issues of Implementation of the Law of Ukraine "On Mobilisation Preparation and Mobilisation" dated 27 January 2023. According to the amendments:

- managers, their deputies and employees involved in the production of goods, performance of works and provision of defence services for the development, manufacture, repair, modernisation and disposal of weapons, military and special equipment, ammunition and their component parts, and are employed at enterprises, institutions and organisations determined by the Ministry of Defence and Strategic Industry to be critical for the functioning of the economy during a special period in the defence industry, are subject to reservation regardless of military rank, age and military speciality;

- the above-mentioned enterprises are not subject to restrictions on the number of persons liable for military service subject to reservation.

On 16 January, the CMU adopted Resolution №39 "On Amendments to Certain Resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Regarding the Regulation of Relations Related to Compensation for Real Estate Destroyed and Damaged as a Result of Hostilities, Terrorist Acts, and Sabotage Caused by the Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine". This Resolution amended the following governmental acts:

- "The Procedure for State Registration of Real Property Rights and Encumbrances", approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 1127 "On State Registration of Real Property Rights and Encumbrances" dated 25 December 2015;

- "Procedure for Providing Compensation for the Restoration of Certain Categories of Real Estate Damaged as a Result of Hostilities, Terrorist Acts, Sabotage Caused by the Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation Using the eVindication Electronic Public Service", approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 381 of 21 April 2023;

- "The Procedure for Providing Compensation for Destroyed Real Estate Objects", approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 600 dated 30 May 2023;

- approved the form of the "Act of Verification on the Targeted Use of Compensation for Financing the Construction of a Manor House, Garden or Country House".

On 16 January, the CMU adopted Resolution №38 "On Approval of the Procedure and Conditions for Providing Subventions from the State Budget to Local Budgets in 2024 for the Implementation of Certain Measures for the Social Project "Active Parks - Locations of Healthy Ukraine". According to this Resolution, the conditions for granting the subvention are as follows:

- holding events in the relevant territories that are not included in the list of territories where hostilities are/were conducted or temporarily occupied by the russian federation, approved by the order of the Ministry of Reintegration;

- availability of safe places for holding events within the framework of the social project, as provided for in clause 3 of the Regulations on the social project "Active Parks - Locations of a Healthy Ukraine", approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on 7 April 2021, No. 326;

- access to locations and services of coordinators (specialists), taking into account the principles of barrier-free accessibility for different segments of the population, including war veterans, their families and internally displaced persons;

- payment for the services of no more than one coordinator (specialist) who meets the requirements and established criteria for a coordinator (specialist) of an event within the framework of the social project "Active Parks - Locations of Healthy Ukraine" approved by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, per location based on the calculation of at least 1000 visitors per coordinator (specialist);

- payment for the services of one coordinator (specialist) in an amount not exceeding the monthly minimum wage established as of 1 January 2024 and increased by 1.2 times.

The distribution of the subvention between the oblast budgets and the city budget of Kyiv is approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine upon the proposal of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The distribution of subventions between local budgets is carried out by regional state administrations (regional military administrations) in accordance with the conditions specified in paragraph 4 of the above "Procedure and Conditions", based on supporting documents regarding:

- availability of locations in compliance with the requirements of the legal regime of martial law;

- ensuring stable work of coordinators (specialists) at the locations;

- terms of engagement/recruitment of coordinators (specialists).

The above-mentioned documents are submitted by the executive bodies of local councils (military administrations) within 14 days from the date of approval of the subvention distribution by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

On 12 January, the NACP issued Order №2 updating the "Methodological Recommendations on the Application of Certain Provisions of the Law of Ukraine "On Prevention of Corruption" in the Matters of Prevention and Settlement of Conflicts of Interest, Compliance with Restrictions on Prevention of Corruption".

On 9 January, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted Resolution № 16 "On Amendments to Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 473 of 19 April 2022 "On Approval of the Procedure for Performing Urgent Works to Eliminate the Consequences of the Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation Related to Damage to Buildings and Structures".

By the amendments, an inspection report of an object damaged as a result of military actions caused by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation and/or a technical inspection report are documents confirming the fact of damage or destruction of real estate as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation to implement the provisions of paragraphs 8-11 of Section IV "Final and Transitional Provisions" of the Law of Ukraine "On Consumer Lending".

So now the borrower can apply to the bank to suspend payments under the mortgage obligation if the mortgaged property has been destroyed or damaged. This refers to the payment of the principal amount of the loan, interest, fees, and other payments under the consumer loan agreement. However, we are talking about housing located in the territory of active hostilities or temporarily occupied territory that was damaged/destroyed because of the armed aggression of the russian federation.

We would like to remind you that previously, citizens had to confirm the fact of property damage by obtaining an extract from the relevant State Register. Now, the fact of damage or destruction of real estate is confirmed by an inspection report and/or a technical inspection report. This will facilitate and speed up the process of suspending payments on mortgage obligations if the mortgaged property has been destroyed or damaged.

On 9 January, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted Resolution №12 "On Approval of Criteria for Assessing the Admissibility of State Aid to Business Entities for the Provision of Services of General Economic Interest". The above Resolution approved the criteria for assessing the admissibility of state aid to business entities for the provision of services related to the satisfaction of particularly important general needs of citizens that cannot be provided on a commercial basis without state support (including at the expense of the local budget).

We would like to remind you that the list of these services is set out in the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 420 "On Approval of the List of Services of General Economic Interest" dated 23 May 2018. They include:

- services in the field of electricity market functioning, which include:

• services to perform the functions of a universal service provider;
• services to perform the functions of the supplier of last resort;
• services to ensure the development of generating capacities;
• services to ensure an increase in the share of electricity generation from alternative energy sources;
• services to increase the efficiency of combined heat and power generation;
• purchase of electricity produced at electricity facilities from alternative energy sources (and, in the case of hydropower, electricity produced only by micro, mini- and small hydroelectric power plants) at the feed-in tariff or auction price set by the electricity market operator, including a surcharge to it;
• services for the implementation of technical measures and the development of technologies aimed at reducing pollutant emissions and related to the conversion of combustion plants;
• services to ensure the availability of electricity for household consumers;
• services to ensure the security of electricity supply by the Rules on Security of Electricity Supply approved by the central executive body responsible for the formation and implementation of state policy in the electricity sector.

- services in the field of electricity market functioning, which include:

• services to perform the functions of a universal service provider;
• services to perform the functions of the supplier of last resort;
• services to ensure the development of generating capacities;
• services to ensure an increase in the share of electricity generation from alternative energy sources;
• services to increase the efficiency of combined heat and power generation;
• purchase of electricity produced at electricity facilities from alternative energy sources (and, in the case of hydropower, electricity produced only by micro, mini- and small hydroelectric power plants) at the feed-in tariff or auction price set by the electricity market operator, including a surcharge to it;
• services for the implementation of technical measures and the development of technologies aimed at reducing pollutant emissions and related to the conversion of combustion plants;
• services to ensure the availability of electricity for household consumers;
• services to ensure the security of electricity supply by the Rules on Security of Electricity Supply approved by the central executive body responsible for the formation and implementation of state policy in the electricity sector.

- services in the field of natural gas market functioning, which include:

• services for the sale of domestically produced natural gas (except for production and technological costs, volumes used for own needs related to the extraction, preparation for transportation and transportation of natural gas, as well as for the production of liquefied natural gas and stable gasoline) to form a natural gas resource for household consumers, religious organizations (except for volumes used for their production and commercial activities) and heat producers as part of heat production
• services for the purchase of natural gas necessary to form a natural gas resource for household consumers, religious organizations (except for the volumes used for their production and commercial activities), and heat producers as part of heat production to provide heating and hot water services to the population and religious organizations from wholesalers, including abroad;
• natural gas supply services to household consumers and religious organizations (except for the volumes used for their production and commercial activities);
• services of the supplier of last resort;
• transportation and storage services (injection, withdrawal) of natural gas.

- services in the field of housing and communal services, in particular:

• district heating services, heat supply services;
• centralized hot water supply services, hot water supply services;
• centralized cold water supply services, centralized water supply services;
• sewerage services (using in-building systems), centralized sewerage services;
• household waste removal services, and household waste management services.

- services in the field of audiovisual media, which are services of general economic interest, in particular:

• services for the creation and/or selection, organization, and dissemination of mass information aimed at meeting the democratic, informational, social, and cultural needs of Ukrainian society;
• services for the creation and/or selection, organization, and distribution of mass information of audiovisual media in foreign languages aimed at meeting the democratic, informational, social, and cultural needs of Ukrainian society and objective informing foreign audiences about events in Ukraine and the world.

The admissibility of state aid is assessed when the compensation results in an advantage to the business entity, i.e. if at least one of the following conditions is not met:

- the business entity receiving the compensation must fulfill its obligations to provide services of general economic interest, which must be clearly defined by an agreement, regulatory (administrative), or other act, which must contain information on the

• the content and duration of obligations to provide services of general economic interest;
• the name of the business entity and, if necessary, the territory where it provides services of general economic interest;
• a list of any exclusive or special rights that have been granted to the undertaking about services of general economic interest;
• a mechanism for calculating, monitoring, and reviewing compensation;
• measures to avoid and recover excessive compensation;

- the mechanism based on which the compensation is calculated is determined objectively and transparently in order to avoid granting an economic advantage to the entity compared to competing entities;

- the amount of compensation for expenses incurred in connection with the provision of services of general economic interest is not excessive, namely, does not exceed the amount necessary to cover all or part of the expenses incurred as a result of fulfilling obligations to provide such services, taking into account the relevant income and reasonable profit for their provision;

- the business entity providing services of general economic interest must be selected through an open tender procedure or any other competitive procedure provided for by law, which will allow the lowest price offer to be selected for the provision of such services. If such a procedure cannot be carried out, the level of compensation is determined based on the results of an analysis of the costs that a typical business entity would incur if it had all the necessary means to provide services of general economic interest, considering the relevant income and reasonable profit to fulfill the obligations.

On 5 January, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted Resolution №7 "On Amendments to the Procedure for Formation of Housing Funds for Temporary Accommodation, Accounting and Provision of Such Housing for Temporary Accommodation of Internally Displaced Persons". According to the amendments:

- a dwelling from the fund shall not be provided if the internally displaced person or any of his/her family members owns a dwelling/part of a dwelling suitable for living, with a size of at least 13.65 m2 per person, located in the territories not included in the list of territories where hostilities are (were) conducted or temporarily occupied by the russian federation, approved by the Ministry of Reintegration, or in the territories included in the said list, for which the date of completion of hostilities (termination of the possibility of hostilities) or temporary occupation has been determined;

- the absence of a housing fund at the time of their application cannot be a ground for refusal to register internally displaced persons as those in need of housing for temporary residence;

- in case of financing by local self-government bodies (military administrations of settlements - in case of their establishment) of the housing fund intended for temporary residence of internally displaced persons outside the territory within which they exercise their powers, or raising funds for this purpose, the relevant authorized body shall decide to provide internally displaced persons with housing from the fund formed at the expense of such funds, by agreements (contracts, memorandums, etc.) concluded between such bodies;

- updated the procedure for calculating points that determine the priority of providing internally displaced persons with housing from the fund, the grounds for deciding on early termination of the provision of housing from the fund, etc.

On 1 January, the NACP issued Order № 1/24 "On Amendments to the Procedure for Conducting a Full Verification of Declarations of a Person Authorised to Perform State or Local Government Functions", which updated the above-mentioned Procedure for Conducting Declaration Verification. Thus, now the full verification of declarations is carried out in respect of the objects of declaration not covered by the full verification of declarations of the relevant declarant for previous periods, unless the NACP has received new information about the object under verification or there are new sources of information that were not known or available to the NACP during the previous full verification.