Skip to main content
search

Bridges of Trust96

HETZ Léa Agathe
In Bridges of Trust, EU enlargement and Eastern Partnership, Impact community Society, Press, Projects and Programmes, Twinning

Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026

In Gdańsk, the Ukraine Recovery Conference confirmed the importance of local and regional governments in Ukraine’s recovery and EU accession

1,349 words
6–9 minutes

The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026), co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, took place in Gdańsk on 25 and 26 June 2026. Being one of the largest international gatherings dedicated to bolstering international support for the country’s reconstruction, as well as catalysing investments for Ukrainian businesses and local governments, this edition brought together more than 5,000 participants.

Heads of state, ministers, donors, and international organisations converged in the Polish city to address the most relevant challenges to Ukraine’s future: energy, critical infrastructure, logistics, and, for the first time, security capabilities.

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) participated in the URC2026 representing the secretariat of the European Partnership Hub (EPH), which facilitates the Bridges of Trust (BoT) Community. Two years after the launch of the Matchmaking Platform at URC 2024, and one year after, the launch of the European Partnership Hub (EPH) – hosted by CEMR – at URC 2025 to facilitate the BoT Community actors active in international municipal cooperation with Ukraine, CEMR was present at URC 2026 with a dedicated booth showcasing the collective efforts of the BoT Community and best practices in international municipal cooperation with Ukraine.

CEMR contributed to the local and regional dimension of the conference and thus carried a specific voice, that of local and regional governments. CEMR President Christoph Schnaudigel represented the organisation throughout the two days conference together with Olha Pikula, CEMR Spokesperson on Enlargement and Deputy Mayor of Mariupol City Council, and Oleksandr Vasylenko, Head of the Cherkasy District Council and First Vice-President of the Ukrainian Association of Rayon and Oblast Councils (UAROR).

A joint statement and a call for coordination

On the eve of the conference, the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine gathered its 100 members to endorse a joint statement setting out concrete priorities for donor action and Ukraine’s EU integration. As a founding member of the Alliance, CEMR contributed directly to this collective effort. Oleksandr Vasylenko, represented CEMR during the political-level Alliance meeting.

24 June 2026, European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine – political level meeting. Gdańsk – Poland – June 2026 © European Union / Giedrė Daugėlaitė

In his statement, he emphasised: “The Bridges of Trust Community, facilitated by the European Partnership Hub and supported by U-LEAD with Europe, is a successful example of practical cooperation and joint efforts of various actors across Europe. All of these actors deliver tangible results in partnership building and capacity development demonstrating the diversity and potential of municipal cooperation.”

The statement recognises that Ukrainian towns, cities and regions have been at the core of the country’s resilience since the start of the full-scale invasion, providing emergency response, maintaining infrastructure, and acting as operational hubs for humanitarian assistance, all whilst preparing for a sustainable future. It calls on institutional partners to treat local and regional governments as strategic partners and integral decision-makers in reconstruction governance, and urges donors to allocate ring-fenced, transparent funding for local and regional development, including direct access to finance and dedicated technical assistance.

Critically for CEMR and the EPH, the statement underlines the potential of municipal cooperation with Ukraine and calls for a reinforcement of existing coordination structures, including the Alliance itself and the BoT Community facilitated by the EPH, and to foster links between local needs, funding opportunities, and the tools already established to support peer-to-peer partnerships such as the Matchmaking Platform.

Niels Annen, State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, recognised in his intervention the significant increase of international partnerships with Ukrainian municipalities in the last years: “We have moved in the right direction, and we call for the permanent operationalisation of this coordinated effort.”

Together with Muriel Lacoue-Labarthe, Special Envoy of the President of the French Republic for Ukraine’s Recovery and Reconstruction, he announced the launch of a new funding line for multi-partner cooperation involving municipalities from Germany, France, Poland and Ukraine.

Meetings and exchanges at the European Partnership Hub booth

The EPH booth was more than a presence at the conference. Positioned alongside partners from the Committee of the Regions, Eurocities and the Polish Association of Cities, it became a point of convergence for Ukrainian and European partners, hosting a series of exchanges that moved between the political and the technical, the bilateral and the collective.

CEMR President Christophe Schnaudigel met with Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk, for a focused conversation on the next Multiannual Financial Framework and the persistent need to ensure that local and regional governments have a genuine seat at the European table. The discussion touched on the importance of coordinated messaging across CEMR, the Committee of the Regions, and city networks, with Ukraine’s recovery and the potential of municipal partnerships running as a thread throughout.

A particularly significant exchange took place between CEMR President Christoph Schnaudigel and Oleksandr Vasylenko, Head of the Cherkasy District Council and First Vice-President of the Ukrainian Association of Rayon and Oblast Councils (UAROR). The two sides explored future prospects of cooperation, covering institutional ties, peer-to-peer exchanges, and support for local self-government. The conversation also engaged with a structural question that matters enormously for Ukraine’s governance: the clarity of competences assigned to rayons and oblasts as the country pursues rebuilding and decentralisation.

CEMR President Christoph Schnaudigel also met with Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv, Ukrainian Deputy Minister Oleksii Riabykyn, and Olha Pikula, CEMR Spokesperson on Enlargement and Deputy Mayor of Mariupol City Council, alongside representatives of the BoT Community and partner organisations.

The Director General of Expertise France, one of the key actors within the BoT Community, also visited the EPH stand. The exchange focused on the value of mapping and evaluating existing partnerships, and on the EPH’s role as a coordination structure that helps avoid duplication and fragmentation among international actors. Within the framework of the Global Gateway, the EPH was put forward as a model for building coherent, multi-stakeholder engagement in partner countries.

On the technical side, CEMR’s Director of Projects and Programmes Durmish Guri met with Astrid Kohl, newly appointed Programme Director of U-LEAD with Europe. The meeting was an opportunity to reflect on the results of this partnership: what began as a project has grown into a genuine community of actors committed to Ukraine’s recovery, decentralisation, and EU accession. That trajectory owes much to the sustained support and long-standing cooperation of U-LEAD with Europe, without which the BoT Community and the EPH would not be what they are today.

URC 2026 has shown a strong commitment to the local and regional dimension in the reconstruction of Ukraine, by the organising City of Gdansk as well as by the various associations and networks represented. Side events and exchanges at the EPH booth provided insights into the practical work of municipal partnerships, their opportunities and challenges. CEMR will use this feedback to improve the services of the EPH even further and to shape the future of municipal cooperation with Ukraine with partners from the BoT Community.

CEMR will continue working with its members and partners to ensure that local and regional governments remain central actors in shaping Ukraine’s future, as the institutions closest to the people that reconstruction is ultimately for.

About the next Ukraine Recovery Conference 2027

At the end of URC 2026 in Gdańsk, Estonia announced it will take over as host of the next Ukraine Recovery Conference, to be held in Tallinn in 2027, succeeding Poland’s role as organiser. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia, Kristen Michal, confirmed the news, framing support for Ukraine’s reconstruction as directly tied to European security, and said Estonia intends to build on the momentum generated in Gdańsk. The Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna, described Ukraine’s rebuilding as Europe’s largest economic project of the coming decade, spanning infrastructure, democratic institution-building, and EU integration. Estonia also plans to draw on the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) cooperation format to pool regional expertise and resources in organising the 2027 conference.

For CEMR and the EPH, this transition sets the horizon for the next phase of municipal cooperation with Ukraine, building on the commitments and coordination structures reinforced in Gdańsk.

For more information, contact:

HETZ Léa Agathe
In Bridges of Trust, Call, Press, Projects and Programmes

Apply: Bridges of Trust Partnerships Award 2026

An Award for EU-Ukraine Municipal Partnerships

Municipal partnerships between Ukraine and other European local governments are key drivers of recovery and resilience, reform and EU integration, mutual learning and long-term cooperation.

Through the Bridges of Trust (BoT) Community, we share good examples and success stories of municipal partnerships with Ukraine. And we are keen to discover more!

That is why the European Partnership Hub Secretariat, together with the Bridges of Trust Community, and supported by the EU and its member states through U-LEAD with Europe, initiated the Bridges of Trust Partnerships Award.

The award aims to recognise the efforts and commitment of all stakeholders involved in municipal partnerships with Ukraine to make it more visible at the national and European levels. Five municipal partnerships will be rewarded as Bridges of Trust Ambassadors 2026! Showcasing the geographical outreach and diversity of municipal cooperation in terms of topics, approaches and stakeholders involved.

BoT Partnerships Award 2026 is open for municipal partnerships of Ukrainian municipalities and their partners in the following countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.

Municipalities of all sizes can apply.

Municipal partners should apply jointly by downloading and filling in the application form below. Share your story with us!

How to apply? (Application documents below)

  1. Fill in jointly the form to tell us about your municipal partnerships by responding to six questions.
  2. Add the signed declaration of the two municipalities involved in the partnership.
  3. Send your joint application in English by 10 July 2026 to: bridges.of.trust.community@ccre-cemr.org

Download application documents:
Application Form EN (Word Form) – to be filled jointly
Declaration of municipal participation EN (Word Form)

Download Ukrainian versions:
Application Form UA (PDF) – for information only (not to be filled)
Declaration of municipal participation UA (Word Form)

Selected partnerships will receive:

  • Official “BoT Ambassador 2026” label
  • 1-year Acceleration Programme
  • Strategic support and positioning
  • Peer learning & Guidance
  • Visibility at the European level
  • High-quality storytelling
  • Access to high-level events

Selection Process

  • Pre-selection by BoT Community Actors: Each partner will nominate up to three municipal partnerships based on the quality, visibility and innovation of their cooperation approaches.
  • Final Jury: a jury composed of representatives from CEMR, U-LEAD with Europe, and the European Committee of the Regions will select five BoT Ambassador partnerships.
  • Validating Committee: the four All-Ukrainian Associations will validate the five BoT Ambassador partnerships selected by the Final Jury.

Partners involved in the pre-selection process:

Further partners:

Partners involved in the validating committee:

For more information, contact: bridges.of.trust.community@ccre-cemr.org

HETZ Léa Agathe
In Bridges of Trust, Impact community Society, Local democracy, Press, Projects and Programmes

The European Partnership Hub Secretariat in Ukraine    

CEMR reinforces its role as Europe’s Hub for Municipal Cooperation with Ukraine

A week-long mission to Kyiv, carried out by CEMR Secretary General Fabrizio Rossi and Director of Projects and Programmes Durmish Guri, has reaffirmed CEMR as a facilitating structure of the European Partnership Hub (EPH), for international municipal cooperation in support of Ukraine’s recovery, resilience, and European integration.

Although CEMR’s engagement with Ukraine stands since 2002, this visit took place within a strategically significant framework, which is the European Partnership Hub (EPH),  supported by the EU and its member states through U-LEAD with Europe programme. The EPH, developed jointly with the Bridges of Trust Community actors, is designed to scale up, structure, and coordinate international municipal partnerships between European and Ukrainian municipalities.

With hundreds of bilateral and multilateral cooperation initiatives already underway and demand for further support growing, the EPH Secretariat (EPHS) provides the coherent, European-level coordination needed to align actors and eliminate duplication. This approach better serves needs on the ground and directly answers the call to action from the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, which urged the creation of a dedicated one-stop shop.

Main takeaways from the visit to Ukraine

Federating the national associations of local and regional governments.

In a single day, CEMR held bilateral meetings with all four of Ukraine’s national associations: the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC), the All-Ukrainian Association of Communities (VAG), the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils (UAROR), and the Association of Amalgamated Territorial Communities (AAATC). Each association represents a distinct segment of local governance, from cities and urban communities to districts, regions, and rural hromadas. CEMR discussed synergies and individual priorities, explored avenues for synergies, and convened for other joint gatherings to foster a collective dynamic. The exchange highlighted the need to strengthen the cooperation between the associations and CEMR in the light of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and to develop joint policy work in 2026, focusing on three priorities: the post-2027 EU funding for sub-national governments, common positions on Ukraine’s EU accession and recovery process, and advocacy on decentralisation.

Exchanging with key local leaders: Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv and Pikula, Deputy Mayor of Mariupol City Council

A meeting with the Mayor of Kyiv and Chair of the AUC, Vitaliy Klitschko, provided an opportunity to review more than twenty years of cooperation and to discuss the practical solidarity that Ukrainian cities need from their European counterparts. Mayor Klitschko expressed particular appreciation for CEMR’s annual declarations and its sustained international advocacy for mayors in captivity.

The meeting with the Deputy Mayor of Mariupol City Council, and also CEMR Spokesperson on EU Enlargement, Olha Pikula, covered the need for a clear CEMR position on Ukraine in the context of the next Multiannual Financial Framework, ensuring that Ukraine’s specific circumstances are fully reflected in both policy and funding approaches.

Dialoguing with Ukrainian ministries and the EU delegation in Ukraine

Meetings with the EU Delegation to Ukraine, including the Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, Stefan Schleuning and with the Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories, Oleksii Riabykin, produced a consistent political signal: Ukraine’s recovery and accession will only succeed if local and regional governments are systematically involved. Particular attention was given to Chapter 22 on Cohesion Policy, where municipalities and regions are central delivery actors, and to the urgent need for clarity on how local governments can access the Pillar III of the Ukraine Facility.

Coordinating with the Bridges of Trust Community actors working in Ukraine

A meeting with Expertise France, a key actor within the Bridges of Trust Community, illustrated the breadth of the EPHS coordination role. Discussions focused on the preparation of the Ukraine Recovery Conference and the need for a more coordinated approach to international municipal cooperation within the EU framework. The mission was also an opportunity to work alongside the U-LEAD with Europe team in Ukraine, who co-organised and supported the visit throughout the week.

What is International Municipal Cooperation, and why does it matter now in Ukraine?

International municipal cooperation refers to structured partnerships between local and regional governments across borders, enabling peer learning, institutional strengthening, capacity building, and democratic resilience. In normal times, these partnerships help municipalities share expertise and improve public services.

In Ukraine’s current context, they carry an additional and urgent purpose: they are instruments of resilience, reconstruction, and EU integration, built from the ground up.

While Ukraine’s EU accession path is negotiated at the European and national level, it is mostly implemented and made credible at the local level. Municipalities and regions are responsible for delivering essential services under wartime conditions, for rebuilding infrastructure, for supporting internally displaced persons, and for implementing the administrative and governance reforms that EU membership requires. Their full involvement in the accession process is indispensable.

The need for a coordinated approach 

The meetings confirmed that the European Partnership Hub is increasingly recognised as a strategic priority. The EU Delegation in Ukraine expressed strong support for developing the Hub further as a reference of expertise on international municipal cooperation with Ukraine, covering EU policy, decentralisation, local governance, and capacity building.

The political context makes this ambition both timely and necessary. Ukraine’s recovery will only be credible, effective, and sustainable if it is co-shaped with local governments and partners. CEMR, as host of the European Partnership Hub Secretariat, together with the Bridges of Trust Community actors, are positioned to ensure that it is.

Four years ago, uncertainty dominated every conversation. As Mayor Klitschko recalled, no one believed this war would last this long. Today, the war continues, but Ukrainians translate everyday fear and uncertainty into resilience, determination, and preparedness. I, as everyone, was amazed by how Local communities have adapted and stood firm, and to see the great value of international solidarity.

– Fabrizio Rossi, CEMR Secretary General

For more information, contact:

GODINHO LOURENCO Daniela
In Bridges of Trust, Call, Press, Projects and Programmes

Call for proposals – interpretation services

Call for Proposals - News 2023

CEMR is currently looking for a professional interpretation provider for English-Ukrainian

CEMR seeks a professional interpretation provider for English-Ukrainian simultaneous interpretation. The assignment is linked to our project, Bridges of Trust, which will organise several online training sessions, information sessions, and related events.

The selected contractor will work in close and continuous coordination with CEMR’s Administrative and Finance team, who will oversee the development and delivery of all outputs covered by this call for proposals.

Read more in our terms of reference

For more information, contact:

TARAN Stanislav
In Bridges of Trust, EU enlargement and eastern partnership, International cooperation, Press, Projects and Programmes, Ukraine reconstruction

European Partnership Hub: EU-Ukraine ‘one-stop-shop’

Last week, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted in Plenary the ‘Enlargement package 2025 – Ukraine, Moldova & Georgia’

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has adopted an amendment explicitly recognising the European Partnership Hub (EPH) as the “one-stop-shop” for cooperation between local and regional governments in Ukraine and the EU. The Hub was launched at the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference, following the Joint Statement of the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine.

Hosted by CEMR, which already drives EU–Ukraine municipal partnerships through Bridges of Trust, the Matchmaking Platform, and SUN4Ukraine, the Hub coordinates and connects initiatives within the Bridges of Trust Community. It facilitates exchanges, provides information, and organises joint meetings to align efforts, build synergies, and support municipalities with the skills needed for recovery, cooperation, and EU accession.

Six other amendments reinforcing the role of local and regional governements in the EU enlargement

The final text of the CoR also includes six amendments tabled by CoR members Māris Zusts and Gints Kaminskis and suggested by the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG), in close cooperation with PLATFORMA.

The amendments aim to reinforce a central political message: EU enlargement will only succeed if it is rooted in local and regional levels, resilient to hybrid threats, and democratically endorsed by citizens. In this opinion, decentralisation, multilevel governance, gender equality, and combating foreign information manipulation are framed as essential components of sustainable enlargement.

Cooperation with local governments 

The adopted amendments further stress the need for public support through cooperation with local governments, especially in Ukraine’s post-war context, advocating for awareness campaigns and media engagement to foster acceptance of candidate countries. Democratic resilience and integrity are further prioritised, particularly through strengthened anti-corruption measures at all government levels. Transparency in public procurement is highlighted, especially regarding reconstruction efforts.

Concerning Moldova, the amendments commend reform progress but express concerns over foreign interference (FIMI) during the 2025 elections, advocating for resilience measures and support for independent media.

The amendments also support local governments in Georgia amidst democratic backsliding, emphasising ongoing cooperation to maintain dialogue and democratic governance as the country navigates its EU accession path.

Looking ahead

These amendments place local and regional governments at the heart of EU enlargement, recognising that lasting impact, resilient democracies, and strong communities depend on their active role. 

The next step is for the European Parliament, Council, and Commission to take these recommendations into account for their respective work on enlargement.
CEMR together with PLATFORMA and their partners will continue to advocate, coordinate initiatives, and foster exchanges, to strenghten the role of local and regional governments.  

The European Partnership Hub is supported by the European Union and its member states through U-LEAD with Europe.

For more information, contact:

TARAN Stanislav
In Bridges of Trust, Bridges of Trust, Press, Projects and programmes, Projects and Programmes, Publications

Declaration on four years of war in Ukraine

Mayors in Ukraine - News 2023

CEMR issues declaration marking four years of war and reaffirming unwavering support for Ukraine

Read full declaration

Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, local and regional elected representatives from the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) once again reaffirm their unwavering support for Ukraine and its people.

On this fourth anniversary of Russia’s aggression, CEMR has issued a formal declaration strongly condemning the war, which continues to claim countless victims, and reiterating the commitment of European local and regional governments to stand alongside Ukraine in its struggle for freedom, reconstruction and European integration.

Call against attacks on Ukrainian mayors

Local and regional elected representatives remain on the frontlines of the war, ensuring the continuity of essential services under extraordinary and often dangerous conditions. Yet they continue to be directly targeted.

CEMR denounces the abduction of Ukrainian mayors and supports the call of the Association of Ukrainian Cities demanding the immediate release of those still detained:

  • Oleksandr Babych – Hola Prystan City Mayor
  • Ihor Kolykhaiev – Kherson City Mayor
  • Anatolii Siryi – Starosta of Novi Borovychi Starosta District, Snovsk City Municipality

CEMR also condemns the arbitrary imprisonment, torture and murder of Ukrainian people in Russian captivity, including:

  • Yevhenii Matvieiev – Mayor of Dniprorudne
  • Oleksii Vynnychenko – Starosta of the Hrebenykivka Starosta District of Boromlia Village Municipality

Commitment to peace, reconstruction and EU integration

CEMR calls for the immediate end to the war, and for decisive actions to enable the establishment of a just and lasting peace in Europe and the reconstruction of Ukraine. Achieving this requires full engagement of the European Union and its Member States at every stage of the process. European local and regional governments stand ready to contribute actively to recovery, democratic resilience, and long-term stability.

In its declaration, CEMR reaffirms its dedication to:

  • Supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction through partnerships, exchanges and decentralised cooperation between towns, cities and regions.
  • Accompanying Ukraine on its path to full EU membership, strengthening democratic governance and multilevel cooperation across Europe.
  • Sustaining and expanding cooperation through key initiatives, including:
    • Bridges of Trust Community, bringing together local and regional representatives engaged in cooperation to foster trust, resilience, sustainable development and democratic governance.

A call for sustained European engagement

As the war enters its fifth year, sustained political, financial and institutional support remains essential. The reconstruction of Ukraine and the achievement of a just and lasting peace demand continued solidarity, coordinated action and long-term commitment.

CEMR stands firm in defending European values of democracy, peace and the rule of law. European local and regional governments remain committed to accompanying Ukraine to full EU membership, contributing to a stronger, more resilient and more secure Europe.

Read the full CEMR declaration:

CEMR’s recommendations: five essential conditions for the fair and effective integration of Ukraine into the EU

For more information, contact:

HETZ Léa Agathe
In Bridges of Trust, Call, Impact community Society, Press, Projects and Programmes, Twinning

Call for tenders: EU-Ukraine partnerships

Call for Proposals - News 2023

Establishing municipal partnerships between Ukraine and a European partner country in the context of the project “Towards a Bridges of Trust (BoT) Community”

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) wishes to establish new partnerships between municipalities in Ukraine and municipalities in different European countries.

CEMR is looking for a service provider as an implementer to perform certain activities under this phase and provide dedicated expertise and support in the respective country. The service provider will work closely with CEMR, the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) and if required, with other partners of the Bridges of Trust Community.

The call is divided into the following lots:

  • Lot 1: Belgium
  • Lot 2: Cyprus
  • Lot 3: Finland
  • Lot 4: France
  • Lot 5: Italy
  • Lot 6: Latvia
  • Lot 7: Malta
  • Lot 8: Netherlands
  • Lot 9: Norway
  • Lot 10: Portugal
  • Lot 11: Spain

Applicants can apply for one or several lots. All documents need to be submitted for each lot separately. The terms of reference describe the services per lot.

  • Deadline for submissions: 3 February 2026, 2 pm (CET)
  • Contract period: February 2026 – June 2026 
  • Budget:  Financial offer for the services up to 14.000 Euro without VAT.
    The costs of activities (e.g. interpretation costs for events, travel costs related to internship and events) will be covered directly by the BoT project.

Interested organisations or experts are invited to submit their application by email to application@ccre-cemr.org with the subject line: 
“Establishing Municipal Partnerships between Ukraine and Name European Country”. Please specify the lot(s) you are applying for.

Questions may be sent to twinning@ccre-cemr.org by 30 January 2026.

For more information, read the Terms of Reference here.

Other Links:

Annexe 1 – Concept Note

Annexe 2 – Financial Offer

For more information, contact:

HETZ Léa Agathe
In Bridges of Trust, Impact community Society, International cooperation, Projects and Programmes

A month of advocacy for Ukraine

Ukraine advocacy - News

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: 

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.  
16/10/2025, Brussels – Building Bridges of Trust – COMMUNITY ANNUAL GATHERING © Elio Germani 2025
  • 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:

HETZ Léa Agathe
In Bridges of Trust, Press, Projects and Programmes

Bridges of Trust Community Annual Gathering

Bridges of Trust - Annual Gathering 2025

Third edition of the Bridges of Trust Community Annual Gathering

The third edition of the Bridges of Trust Community Annual Gathering has become a valued moment of collective reflection and strategic coordination for partners committed to supporting Ukraine’s recovery and EU accession. This yearly meeting, initiated in 2023, brings together the actors driving international municipal cooperation with Ukraine to align strategies, build synergies, and create a sustainable and impactful community.

16/10/2025, Brussels – Building Bridges of Trust – COMMUNITY ANNUAL GATHERING © Elio Germani 2025

A community united around a shared mission

Over 40 key actors from across Europe joined forces to exchange on how to strengthen cooperation, consolidate efforts, and explore how the European Partnership Hub can become a driving force for new and existing partnerships between the EU and Ukraine.

From local and regional government associations to EU institutions, NGOs, and international partners, stakeholders engaged in a rich roundtable discussion to present activities, align strategies, and avoid fragmentation. This collective approach aims to ensure that international municipal partnerships remain at the heart of Ukraine’s resilience, reconstruction, and EU accession.

This year’s gathering came just months after the launch of the European Partnership Hub at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome — a milestone moment responding to the Berlin Call to Action.

16/10/2025, Brussels – Building Bridges of Trust – COMMUNITY ANNUAL GATHERING © Elio Germani 2025

The European Partnership Hub: from initiative to driving force

The European Partnership Hub (EPH) was created to address a critical challenge: despite the unprecedented wave of solidarity across Europe, efforts to support Ukraine remain fragmented, and municipalities often struggle to access the right information and partners at the right time.

Hosted by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and supported by the U-LEAD with Europe programme, the EPH acts as a one-stop shop for international municipal cooperation, bringing together diverse actors to coordinate initiatives, share knowledge, and support Ukraine’s local governments on their path to EU integration.

Local partnerships at the heart of reconstruction

The gathering also showcased inspiring examples of international municipal cooperation, including the partnership between Venice and Odesa, which has formalised their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding. This type of partnership embodies the spirit of the Bridges of Trust initiative — demonstrating how municipalities can be powerful actors of solidarity and drivers of Ukraine’s recovery.

16/10/2025, Brussels – Building Bridges of Trust – COMMUNITY ANNUAL GATHERING © Elio Germani 2025

A heartfelt thank you to the Bridges of Trust Community

The Bridges of Trust Community is built on shared values of cooperation, inclusivity, and beneficiary-centred action. By bringing together implementers, supporters, and beneficiaries in a single, coordinated space, the Community seeks to ensure that efforts are streamlined, impactful, and responsive to the real needs of Ukrainian municipalities and citizens.

A heartfelt thank you to all BoT Community actors for making this gathering a meaningful space for dialogue, inspiration, and collaboration.

Key partners represented included:
U-LEAD with Europe
All-Ukrainian Association of Local Self-Governments “Association of Amalgamated Territorial Communities”
Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC)
ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy
Centre for European Perspective
CoR – European Committee of the Regions
DIBA
European Commission, DG ENEST 
Energy Cities
Engagement Global / SKEW
Eurocities
Euroservis
GIZ – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
GMF – The German Marshall Fund of the United States
ICLEI Europe
KDZ – Centre for Public Administration Research (Austria)
Komponent
KS
Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG)
Municipality of Venice
NALAS – Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe
PLATFORMA
Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR)

For more information, contact:

HETZ Léa Agathe
In Bridges of Trust, EU enlargement and Eastern Partnership, Impact community Society, International cooperation, Press, Projects and Programmes, Twinning, Ukraine reconstruction

Session on Ukraine’s path to the EU

Bridges of Trust - event 2025

Transforming emergency aid into equal cooperation between EU and Ukrainian towns, cities and regions

Amid war-time disruption, Ukraine’s local governments have stepped as frontline problemsolvers and drivers of EU integration. During the European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels, on October 15th a CEMR-led conversation under the Bridges of Trust (BoT) brought together local leaders, policy experts, and civil society to examine how municipal partnerships can anchor accession and cohesion.  

The takeaway was clear: lasting progress depends on shifting from emergency solidarity to structured cooperation that empowers municipalities to deliver reforms, attract investment, and close regional gaps. 

Why local governments matter 

Ukraine’s municipalities have kept essential services running, coordinated aid, and advanced reforms under extreme pressure. Through BoT and the European Partnership Hub, they are building ties with European peers on projects in education, culture, economic development, and reconstruction. As CEMR’s Director for Projects and Programmes, Durmish Guri explained, success now hinges on moving “from emergency solidarity to mutually beneficial collaboration”. 

Matchmaking for impact 

To turn policy into practice, BoT has launched a Matchmaking Platform that connects every Ukrainian municipality with a European counterpart, enabling concrete joint projects and capacity-building. The platform is designed to reduce fragmentation, align needs with resources, and accelerate cooperation across borders.  

From reform to implementation 

Dmytro Lyvch of Easy Business underscored a dual challenge: advancing structural reforms while financing recovery. Real progress happens locally through municipalities, civil society, and development agencies. Ukraine has adapted to EU Chapter 22 requirements, but gaps persist in horizontal and vertical cohesion, and in institutional and financial frameworks. With regional disparities higher than in many Central and Eastern European countries, targeted interventions are needed to build resilience and competitiveness. 

Lessons from peers 

Ambre Maucorps of the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies highlighted takeaways from Lithuania and North Macedonia. Lithuania used cohesion policy to tackle disparities with a clear governance model and strong stakeholder input. North Macedonia, after municipal mergers similar to Ukraine’s, benefited from pre-accession funds but still struggles with absorption. The throughline: coordination and flexibility are essential for effective cohesion policy. 

Building capacity, scaling partnerships 

Iryna Mykulych of the NGO Agency for Recovery and Development stressed that durable cooperation often starts with “soft” cultural and educational exchanges that build trust, then evolves into “hard” reconstruction projects. Scaling from municipal partnerships to business and academia can unlock investment, know-how, and long-term outcomes. 

The bottom line 

The event’s conclusion was unambiguous: international municipal cooperation is one of the most effective and sustainable ways to localise EU accession.  

As Durmish Guri noted, “international municipal cooperation is the most effective, sustainable, and the efficient form of collaboration”. Local governments, he added, play a critical role not only in implementing reforms but also in shaping national and European-level policy, underlining the importance of “localizing accession” to ensure Ukraine’s municipalities are fully engaged in the EU integration process.   

Empowering local governments to deliver reforms and shape policy—together with European partners—moves Ukraine from a recipient of solidarity to a co-creator of Europe’s cohesion and growth. That is the promise of BoT’s community-driven approach. 

For more information, contact:

Close Menu

About CCRE CEMR

1 Square de Meeûs
B – 1000 Bruxelles

T: + 32 2 511 74 77   Fax : + 32 2 511 09 49
E: info@ccre-cemr.org