NABU does not plan to measure public trust: there are no funds allocated for this in the 2026 budget
22 July 13:15
Although the Cabinet of Ministers introduced a mandatory system this spring for conducting an annual assessment of public trust in law enforcement agencies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine does not plan to conduct such a survey in 2026. This is evident from the NABU’s official response to an information request from the publication "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to the bureau, NABU’s budget for 2026 does not include funding for conducting a sociological survey.
“The National Bureau’s budget for 2026 does not include specific expenditures for conducting a sociological survey to assess public trust,” the NABU response states.
The editorial team’s inquiry was initially addressed to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Journalists asked to be informed of when the first survey is scheduled to be conducted in accordance with the new government methodology, who will conduct it, which agencies it will cover, and at whose expense. At the same time, the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers forwarded the inquiry directly to NABU and other agencies.
The BEB’s Position
Unlike NABU, the Economic Security Bureau (ESB) plans to conduct a survey on the level of trust in its activities (in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers’ resolution).
Specifically, the Economic Security Bureau reported that it “has already allocated funding in the 2026 state budget” and is working to secure international technical assistance. Next, the Economic Security Bureau plans to select an independent polling agency in accordance with the government’s methodology, and the survey will be conducted after organizational preparations are complete.
Background
In April, "Komersant Ukrainian" reported thatthe Cabinet of Ministers had approved the Procedure and Methodology for Assessing the Level of PublicTrust in State Bodies Responsible for Criminal Proceedings.
The document stipulates that assessments must be conducted at least once a year by independent polling agencies.
The methodology applies to:
- the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine;
- the Economic Security Bureau;
- the National Police;
- the State Bureau of Investigations;
- the Security Service of Ukraine;
- prosecutorial authorities.
The studies should assess not only the level of public trust but also citizens’ expectations regarding the work of law enforcement agencies. The resolution also provides for the possibility of funding from both the state budget and international technical assistance.
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As a reminder, according to the Razumkov Center, the level of trust in anti-corruption agencies has declined during the period of full-scale war.
Sociologists note that a similar trend is observed with regard to other law enforcement agencies. The Armed Forces of Ukraine currently enjoy the highest level of public trust.
