July 2023

TARAN Stanislav In Bridges of Trust, Impact community Society, Latest, Projects and Programmes, Twinning, Ukraine reconstruction

Ukranian recovery strategy

Bridges of Trust initiative helped in the cooperation between Ukrainian and French municipalities for a reconstruction plan

3 Ukrainian municipalities Apostolove, Zelenodolsk and Korosten began their study visit to partner municipalities in France with a Solidarity Forum in Issy-les-Moulineaux on 1 of July.

The cooperation between Ukrainian and French municipalities is being developed in the framework of the Bridges of Trust initiative implemented by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) together with the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) and with the support of U-LEAD with Europe programme.

The partnership of Bourges and Korosten is taking a new step since the first contact between the municipalities in March 2022. While Zelenodolsk and Apostolove are only at the initial stage of building partner relationships with Sceaux and La Rochelle.

The Ukrainian delegation was warmly welcomed during the Solidarity Forum held by AFCCRE in the framework of the National Forum on Europe, Twinning and Partnerships. The Ambassador of Ukraine to France, Vadym Omelchenko was among the speakers at the event and reiterated the important and substantial results of cooperation between France and Ukraine on different levels and in various sectors. He reminded the success of the Bilateral Conference for the resilience and reconstruction of Ukraine held by the French government in December 2022 where hundreds of French companies took part and confirmed their interest in engaging in Ukraine’s reconstruction process.

The representatives of 3 Ukrainian municipalities Korosten, Zelenodolsk and Apostolove had an opportunity to speak about the daily challenges they face because of the war provoked by Russia against Ukraine, their needs and the ideas of projects that can help the municipalities in the recovery process. Among the priority topics of cooperation were mentioned the exchange of knowledge and experience on water management and purification, inclusivity of municipalities towards disabled people, reconstruction of municipal infrastructure, mental health and rehabilitation.

The representatives of Ukrainian local governments begin today their 3 day study visits to Sceau, Bourges and La Rochelle in order to work on joint projects of reconstruction and recovery and to strengthen partnership ties between municipalities of Ukraine and France.

TARAN Stanislav

Project Officer – International Partnerships (U-Lead)

TONHAUSER Boris In Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, PLATFORMA, PLATFORMA, Publications

Study on SDGs localisation

Discover our new study on progress made by local governments in promoting the Global Goals

Read full study

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and PLATFORMA are releasing today (12 July) their annual study on the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a United Nations special event in New York. The study is presented by CEMR President Gunn Marit Helgesen at the 6th Local and Regional Governments Forum on the 2030 Agenda, organised in the framework of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the United Nations annual event on the SDGs.

One more time, this report resonates as a strong call to national and European institutions to further recognise and include in their reports progress made by municipalities and regions in achieving the SDGs. More than ever, decentralised cooperation and partnerships are crucial instruments to achieve the 2030 Agenda at the local and regional levels.

“We are fast approaching the halfway point on the road to the 2030 Agenda and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), meaning there are only six summers left!” warns Gunn Marit Helgesen, CEMR President, in the foreword of the study.

The 6th Local and Regional Governments Forum on the 2030 Agenda is organised by UN DESA, the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments (GTF), UN-Habitat, UNDP and Local 2030.

Mayors have a say

This year, the European delegation of local and regional governments is composed of several mayors and councillors:

Gunn Marit Helgesen, CEMR President and Councillor of Vestfold and Telemark, President of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS)
Magda Kostava, Member of Kutaisi Municipal Council, Georgia (NALAG), member of the CEMR Young elected officials committee
Wim Dries, VVSG President and Mayor of the City of Genk
Luisa Salgueiro, President of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP) and Mayor of Matosinhos, Portugal
Manueal Alvares, Councillor in the Municipality of Matosinhos, Portugal
Stephan Neher, Mayor, City of Rottenburg am Neckar, Germany
Anne-Marie Jean, Vice-President of Eurométropole de Strasbourg (CUF)
André Viola, Councillor, Department of Aude (AFCCRE)

Fabrizio Rossi, CEMR Secretary General, Emilia Saiz, UCLG Secretary General, Lucy Slack, CLGF Secretary General, Unai Tellería, Delegate of the Basque Government (Spain) in the United States, Leen Verbeek and Mathieu Mori, respectively President and Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Congress of Europe are also attending HLPF and parallel dedicated to local and regional governments.

More information:

Discover the study online local-sdgs.eu
Read the study (pdf)
Follow the conversation online with #HLPF2023 & #LocalizingSDGs

For more information, contact:

TONHAUSER Boris

Director – PLATFORMA

TONHAUSER Boris In Latest, PLATFORMA

Promoting the Global Goals

Discover our new study on progress made by local governments in tracking & promoting the Global Goals

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and PLATFORMA are releasing today (12 July) their annual study on the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a United Nations special event in New York. The study is presented by CEMR President Gunn Marit Helgesen at the 6^th Local and Regional Governments Forum on the 2030 Agenda organised in the framework of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the United Nations annual event on the SDGs.

The report collects data from 41 associations of local and regional governments from greater Europe and makes seven recommendations. As estimates show, 65% of the 169 targets underpinning the 17 SDGs cannot be achieved without the involvement of local and regional governments.
One more time, this report resonates as a strong call to national and European institutions to further recognise and include in their reports the progress made by municipalities and regions in achieving the SDGs. More than ever, decentralised cooperation and partnerships are crucial instruments to achieve the 2030 Agenda at the local and regional levels.
“We are fast approaching the halfway point on the road to the 2030 Agenda and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), meaning there are only six summers left!” warns Gunn Marit Helgesen, CEMR President in the foreword of the study.
The 6th Local and Regional Governments Forum on the 2030 Agenda is organised by UN DESA, the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments (GTF), UN-Habitat, UNDP and Local 2030.
Mayors have a say
This year, the European delegation of local and regional governments is composed of mayors and councillors:

Gunn Marit Helgesen, CEMR President and Councillor of Vestfold and Telemark, President of the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS)
Magda Kostava, Member of Kutaisi Municipal Council, Georgia (NALAG), member of the CEMR Young elected officials committee
Wim Dries, VVSG President and Mayor of the City of Genk
Luisa Salgueiro, President of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP) and Mayor of Matosinhos, Portugal
Manueal Alvares, Councilor in the Municipality of Matosinhos, Portugal
Stephan Neher, Mayor, City of Rottenburg am Neckar, Germany
Anne-Marie Jean, Vice-President of Eurométropole de Strasbourg (CUF)
André Viola, Councillor, Department of Aude (AFCCRE)

Discover the study online local-sdgs.eu
Read the study (pdf)
Follow the conversation online with #HLPF2023 & #LocalizingSDGs

TONHAUSER Boris

Director – PLATFORMA

TARAN Stanislav In Bridges of Trust, Latest, Projects and Programmes

Bridges of Trust

Fostering Collaboration and Hope: Ukrainian Local Governments Visit Spain under ‘Bridges of Trust’ Project

A delegation of local government officials from Ukraine embarked on a visit to Spain from June 19 to June 23 as part of the “Bridges of Trust” project. This project, implemented by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) in collaboration with the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) and with the support of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, aims to foster cooperation and rebuild Ukrainian towns devastated by Russian attacks. The Ukrainian delegation, representing Novomoskovsk, Kremenchuk, and Nikopol, visited prominent Spanish cities to explore collaboration opportunities and gather support for their respective communities.

The Mayor and Vice Mayor of Kremenchuk, Vitalii Maletskyi and Olga Usanova, received a warm welcome from Mayor Eneko Goia of Donostia / San Sebastián. Donostia / San Sebastián, along with Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz, is participating in the “Bridges of Trust” project facilitated by the Association of Basque Municipalities EUDEL, one of the ten local government associations chosen for this noble undertaking.

The Mayor and Vice Mayor of Kremenchuk, Vitalii Maletskyi and Olga Usanova, were warmly welcomed by Mayor Eneko Goia of Donostia / San Sebastián. Donostia / San Sebastián, along with Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz, participates in the “Bridges of Trust” project facilitated by the Association of Basque Municipalities EUDEL, one of the ten local government associations chosen for this endeavour.

Donostia / San Sebastián, known for its commitment to solidarity and support, will provide assistance to Kremenchuk. Kremenchuk, a Ukrainian city with a population of 215,271, endured a devastating missile attack on its main shopping center in 2022. Donostia / San Sebastián, in collaboration with the Sociedad de Fomento de Donosti, will offer guidance and support to promote economic development and urban transformation in Kremenchuk. The city is renowned for its vehicle manufacturing and oil processing sectors, along with two prominent universities.

The Nikopol delegation met with Mayor Maider Etxebarria and representatives of municipal groups at the City Hall in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Vitoria-Gasteiz, a symbol of peace and advocate for rights and freedoms, expressed solidarity and support for the Ukrainian delegation. Nikopol, one of the Ukrainian towns heavily affected by Russian attacks, will receive technical assistance from AMVISA to rebuild its water supply, sewerage, and wastewater treatment networks.

During their visit to Vitoria-Gasteiz, the Nikopol delegation engaged in technical meetings with AMVISA and the Development Cooperation Service. They also had the opportunity to visit key infrastructure projects, such as the Crispijana treatment plant, as well as notable landmarks like the Medieval Quarter and the Green Ring.

Nikopol, a former industrial hub with a population of 105,200, has been grappling with the aftermath of the Russian invasion. Situated near the Dnipro River, close to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant and the recently destroyed Kakhovka dam, Nikopol aims to rebuild its economy and infrastructure with the support of European cities like Vitoria-Gasteiz.

The “Bridges of Trust” project, involving 30 European cities, signifies a collective effort to restore hope, cooperation, and stability in Ukrainian towns severely impacted by Russian aggression. By fostering collaborations and sharing expertise, the project aims to create a brighter future for the communities affected by the conflicts.