From Istanbul to Kyiv, Belgrade, and Brussels, CEMR advanced cooperation with Ukrainian peers and the country’s path toward EU accession
October was a month of steady advocacy and engagement for the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), underscoring the central contribution of cities and regions in supporting Ukraine.
Since the early 2000s, CEMR has worked closely with its national associations in Ukraine and has also been deepening ties through initiatives such as Bridges of Trust and SUN4Ukraine, and most recently by launching a digital Matchmaking Platform focused on connecting EU and Ukrainian municipalities.
Throughout October, CEMR intensified its outreach with local and regional governments, as well as European institutions. Working alongside partners, the organisation sought to consolidate efforts, amplify the impact of its support, and promote practical tools that directly benefit communities (see latest Call for Proposals). Discussions focused on topics such as Chapter 22 “Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments” in the EU enlargement process, successful municipal partnerships in wartime, Cohesion Policy to address disparities, and aligning Ukraine’s recovery with climate and energy goals through local action.
Together with its members and partners, CEMR co-organised a series of major events, each reaffirming the importance of local cooperation and resilience in times of war:
- 1–3 October – Istanbul (Türkiye): Marmara Urban Forum
- Session: “Resilient Local Governance in Wartime – Reform, Decentralisation, and Reconstruction in Ukraine.”
Speakers highlighted how decentralisation, stronger local competencies, and international cooperation enable real progress even in wartime. Drawing on lessons from South-East Europe and city partnerships with Ukrainian municipalities, they showed how access to knowledge, tools, and advocacy channels empowers local leaders to influence national decisions and drive recovery as equal partners in rebuilding the country.
- 13–15 October – Brussels (Belgium): European Week of Regions and Cities
- 13 October: Meeting with Ukrainian Mayors Delegation.
A delegation of 23 Ukrainian mayors visited CEMR in Brussels for the opening session. The roundtable gave each mayor the opportunity to share experiences from their municipalities and explore initiatives in international partnerships, climate, and smart cities, including PLATFORMA, SUN4Ukraine, the Bridges of Trust Community, and the Matchmaking Platform. The visit aimed to deepen their understanding of EU actors and processes, as well as to learn more about effective advocacy and lobbying.
- 15 October: Political session — “Ukraine’s Path to the EU: Municipalities and Partnerships for Cohesion and Growth.”
The room was full at the Committee of the Regions, where four representatives from organisations with diverse missions illustrated how Ukrainian municipalities are actively advancing EU integration, aligning with Chapter 22 requirements while deepening cooperation with their European counterparts. As emphasised during the discussion, local governments are driving reforms and influencing national and European policy, showing that localising accession is crucial for Ukraine’s municipalities to be fully engaged in the EU integration process.
- 16 October: Bridges of Trust Community Annual Gathering.
The European Partnership Hub convened for constructive exchanges aimed at uniting efforts and preventing fragmentation. Over thirty organisations from across Europe participated, all actively engaged in strengthening municipal cooperation between the EU and Ukraine. Notably, all four national associations of Ukrainian cities were represented.
- 15–16 October – Kyiv (Ukraine): SUN4Ukraine events
- The Multilevel Policy Dialogue brought together Ukrainian and European partners to strengthen multilevel governance processes and align Ukraine’s recovery and EU accession with climate and energy goals. Cities including Rivne, Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia, Konotop, Kalush, Kyiv, and Sumy Region shared how they translate national ambitions into local action. Key national and international institutions actively participated in the discussions.
- The Capacity Building sessions equipped 12 Flagship Municipalities to develop their Climate Neutrality Plans, reinforcing local governments’ role in driving a sustainable recovery.
- A key highlight was the launch of the SUN4Ukraine Partnership Programme, connecting 12 Ukrainian cities with European Mission Cities under the EU’s “100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities” initiative, with Munich and Oslo serving as advisory partners.
- 23–24 October – Belgrade (Serbia): CEMR Secretaries General and Directors Meeting
- Discussions and exchanges with members focused on opportunities for EU–Ukraine municipal partnerships under the Bridges of Trust call for proposals. Looking ahead, national associations and other partners selected under the Bridges of Trust Community will continue to advance EU–Ukraine municipal partnerships.
In November, CEMR will continue its advocacy and promotional efforts at the Smart City Expo (4-6 November) and the Salon des Maires Français (18–20 November), where sessions will spotlight international municipal partnerships in Europe and the Matchmaking Platform developed to support them. This all-in-one digital tool connects cities and regions across Europe and already counts over 500 registered Ukrainian municipalities.
Under SUN4Ukraine, the 12 partnerships between Ukraine and EU cities will meet in Munich on 17-20 November to start their collaborative journey. The moment will also include the second step of the Capacity Building programme to further support the development of Climate Neutrality Plans.
All project partners, including CEMR, will continue facilitating constructive exchanges and supporting partnerships in deepening their cooperation, ensuring that local collaboration remains at the core of Ukraine’s recovery and EU accession efforts.
For more information, contact:
Project officer – Communications & Events
