TARAN Stanislav

Bridges of Trust: New Branding and Strengthening Municipal Partnerships

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On the 7th of May, the Bridges of Trust project held a pivotal coordination meeting for partner municipalities where CEMR, along with AUC and U-LEAD with Europe, unveiled the new branding for the initiative. Developing a cohesive branding and visual identity is crucial for the project as it enhances recognition, fosters a unified message, and strengthens the impact of our collaborative efforts.  

The meeting was honoured by the presence of Antje Kaestner, Senior Policy Officer, Task Force Ukraine at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Ms. Kaestner provided an insightful presentation on the preparations for the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024, in Berlin. For the first time, this conference will focus on the regional and local level dimensions.

This month, the framework of the project a series of bilateral meetings among the mayors of municipalities took place to deepen the existing cooperation between the municipalities.  

• Korop – Gulbene 
• Lebedyn – Papa
• Malyn – Teruel
• Pidhorodne – Soria
• Borodianka – Minsk Mazowiecki 
• Korosten – Bourges
• Vasylkiv – Sundbyberg
• Novyi Bilous – Kekava
• Bohodukhiv – Azuqueca dé Henares
• Byshiv – Bacsolmas
• Yasinia – Česká Třebová

These meetings, conducted in collaboration with the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC), are designed to strengthen ties and enhance cooperation among European and Ukrainian municipalities. We remain committed to advancing our collective efforts and fostering meaningful partnerships through this ongoing initiative.

Declaration on the Second Anniversary of the Outbreak of the Russian War against Ukraine

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European local and regional leaders, gathered under the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), mark the second anniversary of the unwarranted invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation with a resounding declaration of support for Ukraine and its people.

On this solemn occasion, we, the European local and regional leaders, condemn the full-scale war unleashed by Russian forces against Ukraine. This illegal invasion has targeted innocent civilians, including elected representatives, while unlawfully occupying Ukrainian territories. The recent abduction of Ukrainian mayors by Russian forces further compounds the violation of human rights and international humanitarian law.

We express our solidarity with the Association of Ukrainian Cities and join their call for the immediate release of unlawfully detained mayors, including:

• Oleksandr Babych – Hola Prystan city mayor (Kherson region)
• Oleksii Vynnychenko – Head of Hrebenykivka starosta district of Boromlia village municipality (Sumy region)
• Ihor Kolykhaiev – Kherson city mayor
• Yevhenii Matvieiev – Dniprorudne city mayor (Zaporizhzhia region)
• Anatolii Siryi – Head of Novi Borovychi starosta district of Snovsk city municipality (Chernihiv region)

CEMR renews its unwavering commitment to support the Ukrainian people in pursuing victory, peace, and reconstruction. We pledge to empower local and regional governments in Ukraine through international municipal partnerships, emphasizing our support within the context of the Bridges of Trust project, the Eastern Partnership programme, and the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine.

Read the Declaration:

• English
• French
• Polish
• Ukrainian

Nurturing Resilience and Cooperation: Inaugural Bridges of Trust Gathering Unites European and Ukrainian Municipalities

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In the wake of extensive devastation suffered by many Ukrainian municipalities, it has become evident that fostering increased local and regional cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union is essential to aid Ukraine’s recovery.
 
This realisation was at the core of the discussions of the first annual Bridges of Trust Gathering, which brought together representatives from Ukrainian and European municipalities, alongside Local Self-Government Associations, EU institutions, and allied organisations collaborating in the rebuilding of Ukrainian municipalities and forging a path towards EU membership. Attendees included the Solidarity Fund Poland, the Slovenian Centre for European Perspective (CEP), NALAS, and ALDA. Delegates from various countries were present, fostering knowledge exchange.
 
Durmish Guri, Director of External Resources at CEMR, underscored the event’s significance, stating, “It is crucial for European and Ukrainian municipalities to unite and establish trust-based connections, ensuring the sustainable recovery of Ukraine.”
 
CEMR, in partnership with U-LEAD with Europe, has established a support network for Ukrainian municipalities, enhancing cooperation and aid to local communities. Angeliki Mavridou, Advisor to the Programme Director of U-LEAD, stated, “We are very thankful to the mayors who came to Brussels, and we are impressed by the results of these collaborations. Municipal partnerships are currently at the centre of attention, and we see the significant benefits they bring in terms of solidarity and expertise.”
 
Jelka Klemenc, Project Leader at the Centre for European Perspective, added, “Municipalities have enhanced their capacity to provide services and interact with their citizens.”
 
The event, held at the CEMR Secretariat in Brussels, facilitated knowledge sharing and valuable recommendations for successful cooperation. The Bridges of Trust Gathering symbolises solidarity, determination in adversity and hope for the Ukrainian people.

Bridges of Trust Meet at CEMR Secretariat: Forging Strong Municipal Cooperation between Ukraine and the EU

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Brussels, November 8th – The inaugural Bridges of Trust gathering is scheduled to take place at the CEMR Secretariat in Brussels. This event will bring together representatives from Ukrainian and European municipalities, as well as Ukrainian and European Local Self-Government Associations, EU institutions, and other relevant organisations which have joined forces since the onset of the conflict.

“In times of adversity, unity becomes our greatest strength. The Bridges of Trust project exemplifies the power of collaboration in rebuilding Ukrainian municipalities and forging a path towards EU membership,” says Durmish Guri, Director of External Resources and Knowledge Strategy at CEMR.

In the aftermath of the extensive destruction suffered by many Ukrainian municipalities, it became evident that fostering increased local and regional cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union is essential to aid Ukraine’s recovery. Through a collaborative effort, CEMR, in partnership with U-LEAD, has established a support network for Ukrainian municipalities, facilitating connections with their European counterparts.

The event will spotlight various reconstruction and modernisation projects and offer valuable recommendations for successful cooperation among all participants. It provides an opportunity to explore potential funding sources available to EU municipalities to build and design the future of the “Bridges of Trust” initiative with a bottom-up and people-to-people approach.

Distinguished participants at the summit include notable organisations such as the Solidarity Fund Poland, the Slovenian Centre for European Perspective (CEP), NALAS – Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe, and the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA). Representatives from Belgium, Ukraine, Germany, Italy, France, North Macedonia, Denmark, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Latvia will also be present at the event.

Annual Bridges of Trust Gathering Celebrates Successful Municipal Cooperation between Ukraine and the EU

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The first annual Bridges of Trust gathering is set to take place on November 8, 2023, at the CEMR Secretariat in Brussels. This event marks a significant milestone in the partnership between Ukrainian and European municipalities, bringing together representatives from various organisations, including Solidarity Fund Poland, Slovenian Centre for European Perspective (CEP), NALAS, ALDA, and Mayors from Ukraine, Belgium, Latvia, Poland, France, Denmark, Italy, Hungary, Spain, and Sweden.
 
Bridges of Trust focuses on rebuilding Ukraine through partnerships with EU municipalities and promoting comprehensive municipal development through analytics, dialogue, and international cooperation. Since March 2021, this initiative has involved over 150 municipalities from Ukraine and 17 EU member states, driving recovery, reconstruction, and reform efforts in Ukraine.
 
During the event, the municipalities part of the program will present reconstruction and modernisation-related projects and offer valuable recommendations for successful cooperation. The event will also be a platform to strengthen cooperation between Ukrainian and European municipalities, focusing on sharing good practices, exchanging successful cooperation strategies, and discussing potential funding sources for EU municipalities partnering with their Ukrainian counterparts. 
 
CEMR and Platforma, in partnership with the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) and other local self-government associations, have played a significant role in supporting this initiative. The annual Bridges of Trust gathering serves as a testament to the success, impact, and growing cooperation between Ukraine and the EU.
 

• Bridges of Trust Gathering’s Agenda here

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

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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.

Enhancing Municipal Capacities: Training for Bridges of Trust Project

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CEMR, in collaboration with the Association of Ukrainian Cities and with support from the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, is organising training sessions for municipalities participating in the Bridges of Trust project. These trainings aim to equip municipalities with practical knowledge of EU funding programmes, including Interreg Next, Erasmus+, and the Black Sea programme, along with essential project management skills.

One objective of the training is to strengthen the capacities of local governments for international cooperation and European integration, with a particular focus on the reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. Participants will gain a comprehensive overview of the programmes, including eligibility criteria and the intricacies of the application process. The sessions will enhance the abilities of Ukrainian and European local governments to access EU funds effectively.

In addition, three specific training sessions will concentrate on project management, covering the three crucial phases of a project’s lifecycle: planning and initiation, implementation, and monitoring and control. These sessions aim to provide participants with a solid understanding of project management principles and practical tools to assist them throughout the process.
Leading the sessions will be Kirill Dimanopoulos, an expert from CEMR specialising in EU funding and project management. Following the training, participants will apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to develop collaborative reconstruction projects with their partners as part of the Bridges of Trust initiative.

Take a look on the trainings’ agendas: Introduction to Interreg Next – Bilateral and Multilateral Interreg Next programmes – Erasmus+ programme – Interreg Danube programme – Black Sea programme – First Steps in Project Management – Implementing the Project – Monitoring and Control

Cooperating to rebuild Ukrainian: A Journey to Lombardy

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In a successful venture from 11th to 17th June, representatives from various local governments in Ukraine visited Lombardy, Italy. This visit, organised under the Bridges of Trust project by CEMR and supported by the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, marked an important step towards fostering stronger ties and cooperation between Ukrainian and Italian municipalities.

The visit began with a welcome meeting at Arconate’s city hall. Mr. Durmish Guri, the Director of External Resources and Knowledge Strategy at CEMR, expressed gratitude to Italian mayors for their outstanding hospitality and cooperation. He also applauded the participation of Arconate, Inveruno, and Sesto San Giovanni in the Bridges of Trust initiative, acknowledging the support of Italian authorities and citizens towards Ukrainian mothers and children in need.

Mr. Guri highlighted CEMR’s efforts in helping Ukrainians affected by Russia’s invasion. “From mobilising humanitarian aid and financial support to offering refuge and steadfast political support, I am proud of every step taken by CEMR to help our Ukrainian partners. More than ever, we need mutually beneficial cooperation between Italian and Ukrainian municipalities, both within the Bridges of Trust project and beyond”, he affirmed.

Mr. Guri stressed the need for cooperation between Italian and Ukrainian municipalities in reconstruction projects, covering infrastructure, water treatment, waste management, sewage facilities, machinery renewal, heat supply modernization, and human development. Afterwards, the parties discussed these priorities and established memoranda of cooperation, laying the foundation for long-term collaboration.

The Ukrainian delegation’s visit was a crucial milestone in the Bridges of Trust project, promoting stronger ties between the local governments of Ukraine and Italy. As Mr. Guri concluded, “this initiative showcases the power of international partnerships in addressing common challenges and working towards a prosperous future.”

The Ukrainian delegation, led by distinguished representatives from various local governments, was accompanied by Ms. Yulia Bandura from the Association of Ukrainian Cities. Notable participants included Mr. Mykola Baksheiev and Ms. Tetiana Orlova from Pervomaysk, Ms. Nataliia Moskalenko and Ms. Pavlina Ohanesian from Romny, and Mr. Denys Petrenko and Mr. Serhii Hrankin from Lozova. The delegation was warmly welcomed by their Italian counterparts, including Mr. Sergio Calloni, Mayor of Arconate; Ms. Sara Bettinelli, Mayor of Inveruno; and Mr. Fabio Merlotti, Mayor of Buscate.

For more information on the Bridges of Trust project and collaboration between Ukrainian and Italian municipalities, please contact Bridges of Trust Project Officer Olga Ivanova at Olga.Ivanova@ccre-cemr.org.