This analytical policy brief explores the unity and sense of solidarity between state institutions and citizens through the lens of the social contract. It examines four key dimensions that shape state–citizen relations — integrity, performance, protection, and political community — and analyses the dynamics of trust in central and local authorities among different socio-demographic groups. The brief highlights the main factors influencing trust and outlines key trends in the evolving relationship between the state and society.

The study was prepared by UNDP in Ukraine and the Centre for Sustainable Peace and Democratic Development (SeeD) under the flagship UNDP–EU partnership “EU4Recovery – Empowering Communities in Ukraine.”