New Year's budget: how and what millions were spent on in the South

At the end of the year, public sector institutions traditionally become more active in purchasing New Year's attributes and gifts. Mykolaiv, Kherson and Odesa regions spent over UAH 7.7 million on the celebration. The money was used to buy costumes, garlands, Christmas trees, sweets and organize events. The largest share, over UAH 3 million, was allocated for sweet gifts.

The Center for Public Investigations analyzed how funds for the New Year holidays were distributed in the regions.

Thus, in Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, approximately the same amount of money was spent on sweet sets - UAH 1.5 million and UAH 1.3 million, respectively, while in Kherson region, these expenses amounted to slightly more than UAH 200 thousand. The average cost of one gift was UAH 184, excluding VAT.

Procurement by region:

• In Mykolaiv region, the Yuzhnoukrainsk City Council twice purchased sets of sweets worth UAH 789 per unit, and the Koblivka Village Council purchased 923 gifts at a cost of UAH 105 each.
• In Odesa region, the most expensive gift sets (UAH 390 per item) were purchased by Ivanivka village council and Stryukivka village council. At the same time, the Tatarbunary City Council was able to purchase gifts for UAH 103 each.
• In Kherson region, the executive committee of the Central District Council purchased sweets for UAH 300 per package, and the Novokakhovka City Council purchased sweets for UAH 150.

Regions also spent money on Christmas trees. In Odesa region, the most expensive Christmas tree (UAH 27.6 thousand) was purchased by the police protection department. In Mykolaiv, the Primary Health Care Center No. 2 purchased a Christmas tree for UAH 2.9 thousand.

Odesa region spent UAH 364.6 thousand on festive events, and Mykolaiv region spent UAH 229.8 thousand. For example, the Odesa Municipal Brass Music Theater spent UAH 35,000 on services for St. Nicholas Day, and the Novobuzka City Council purchased a Grinch costume for UAH 4,500.

Earlier, the Center for Public Investigations analyzed how many budget millions were spent on non-priority procurement during the war in the first six months of 2024.

Ірина Глухова