Bridges of Trust99

Towards Building the Bridges of Trust Community 

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At the recent Bridges of Trust Annual Gathering*, held alongside the CEMR Leaders’ Summit, a significant step forward was announced with the launch of the Bridges of Trust Community. This new phase marks a transition from bilateral partnerships between EU and Ukrainian municipalities to a cohesive, long-term framework for collaboration. The goal is to deepen existing connections, mobilise continued support in creating new partnerships, and build a lasting network of cooperation to support Ukraine’s recovery and its path toward EU integration. As part of this effort, CEMR is committed to strengthening the spirit of cooperation and ensuring that every Ukrainian municipality is paired with an EU partner, in line with the objectives of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 in Berlin. The creation of these partnerships will be facilitated by the newly launched Matchmaking Platform. 
 
In the framework of the Bridges of Trust project, a survey was recently carried out to assess the effectiveness of the partnerships and identify areas for further development. In fact, the survey was conducted with participating municipalities across 8 European countries: Poland, Latvia, Hungary, Spain, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, France, and Sweden revealing a promising picture of these evolving partnerships. With 80% of the partnerships demonstrating moderate to high levels of interaction, and 67% having formal agreements in place, these collaborations are already making a significant contribution to a resilient, united Europe. This data underscores the potential of the Bridges of Trust Community as a dynamic, long-term platform for cooperation, one that will grow and adapt to the needs of both Ukraine and the EU local governments in the years ahead.  

Focus Areas of Cooperation:  

1. The majority of municipalities are engaged in Youth, Cultural and Educational initiatives. Municipalities such as Kuldīga (Latvia), Bourges (France), Mińsk Mazowiecki (Poland), Tyresö (Sweden), and Budakeszi (Hungary) are emphasising the importance of cultural diplomacy, youth policy, and educational initiatives. 

2. More than half of the municipalities are actively involved in energy efficiency and modernisation efforts. Municipalities such as Česká Třebová (Czech Republic), Budakeszi (Hungary), Puconci (Slovenia) and La Rochelle (France) have prioritised climate action, collaborating on green energy projects, energy efficiency improvements, and sustainable urban development. 

3. A significant number of municipalities are also focused on emergency and humanitarian support. Bourges (France) and Sieradz (Poland) have led efforts in providing emergency aid, while others like Mińsk Mazowiecki (Poland) and Budakeszi (Hungary) have contributed to relief efforts for displaced populations and emergency infrastructure repairs. This includes essential supplies, housing for displaced persons, and rapid infrastructure repairs to ensure the basic functioning of Ukrainian municipalities during the crisis.  

4. Almost half of the municipalities are engaged in governance and capacity-building activities. Such as Radzymin (Poland), Kuldīga Municipality (Latvia), Gulbene (Latvia), Puconci (Slovenia), are committed to strengthening local governance systems. This includes capacity-building efforts focused on crisis management, rebuilding governance structures, and ensuring municipalities can effectively manage their recovery processes. 

5. Over a third of municipalities are active in the economic and business sectors. San Sebastián (Spain), Sieradz (Poland), Puconci (Slovenia), Gulbene (Latvia), and Kuldīga (Latvia), along with other municipalities, have focused on fostering economic ties, supporting local businesses, and creating collaborative opportunities for cross-border trade and entrepreneurship. 

Achievements:  

• Formal Agreement: Half of the municipalities have formalised their partnerships with Ukrainian counterparts through Memorandums of Understanding or cooperation agreements, while another 40% are in the process of doing so. Beyond the survey results, a new cooperation agreement was signed at the Bridges of Trust Annual Gathering by Mayor Saulius Margis of Pakruojis (Lithuania) and Mayor Alla Myronova of Inhulka (Ukraine).  

• Crisis Response: Several municipalities, such as Bourges and Korosten, provided emergency assistance during the early stages of the war. 

• Knowledge Sharing: Peer-to-peer learning and exchange of best practices were cited as significant successes by more than half of the participants. 

 
While the difficulties in accessing funds and the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine were identified as significant challenges – an encouraging trend emerges: nearly 80% of partner municipalities have already planned or are in the process of planning activities for the next six months. This demonstrates a strong commitment to maintaining and expanding their cooperation despite the obstacles, highlighting the resilience and determination of local governments to foster meaningful partnerships and drive impactful initiatives even in complex contexts. 

The survey results reflect a shared commitment to facing both immediate challenges and long-term goals. In the months and years ahead, the Bridges of Trust Community will be essential in fostering the ongoing exchange of knowledge, support, and innovation between EU and Ukrainian municipalities, reinforcing the collective effort to support Ukraine’s recovery on the path to EU membership. 

*Since 2021, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), in partnership with the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) and EU national associations, has been implementing the Bridges of Trust project. Supported by U-LEAD with Europe, this fosters connections between EU and Ukrainian municipalities to tackle pressing challenges, including reconstruction, recovery, and institutional modernisation.  

CEMR project on European-Union & Ukrainian municipal cooperation – Building bridges and creating trust

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Cooperation between EU member states and Ukrainian municipalities has always been of crucial importance to promote growth, understanding and cultural exchange. Since the outbreak of full-scale Russian aggression in Ukraine, cooperation has taken on a new urgency and intensity.

Russia’s military pressure is enormous. The energy infrastructure has been deliberately destroyed; people lack electricity and heating. Autumn and winter are approaching. The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is, therefore, significantly strengthening the efforts of European municipalities and regions to support Ukrainian partners. CEMR is working with its national associations, including the Association of Ukrainian Cities, with the support of the U-LEAD with Europe programme.

The “Bridges of Trust” (BoT) project connects small and medium-sized Ukrainian municipalities with municipalities in the EU, making it easier for them to gain experience in international cooperation.

This creates bilateral exchanges between mayors and experts. New partnerships are formed and existing ones gain resilience. Since then, study visits have taken place, and the municipalities are now jointly developing projects to address the immediate needs of Ukrainian municipalities and share knowledge about good practices for current challenges.

Shared expertise – not only in crisis management

This exchange of experience is a win-win situation for both sides. For example, the European partners gain expertise in disaster prevention, crisis management, and social cohesion. Their Ukrainian partners have become very good at finding quick solutions to life-threatening situations, and they offer their colleagues the opportunity to learn from their ability to adapt quickly.

Since November 2022, as part of “Bridges of Trust”, 30 municipalities from ten regions of Ukraine have established partnerships with 30 municipalities from the European Union, including France, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic and Hungary. These partnerships have developed 48 project proposals addressing key issues such as water supply, wastewater treatment, reconstruction of hospitals and cultural facilities, waste management, alternative energy sources, construction of shelters and the integration of internally displaced persons. Here are a few examples:

Bácsalmás (Hungary) and Byshiv: Water for life

The Hungarian municipality of Bácsalmás has joined forces with Byshiv (Kyiv region), where only eleven per cent of households have a centralised water supply and wastewater disposal system. The Russian war of aggression has made this situation even worse. As six waterworks were damaged, there is no clean water in schools, kindergartens, cultural centres, health and educational facilities.

The project jointly developed by Byshiv and Bácsalmás is therefore dedicated to the construction of a new water supply and wastewater management infrastructure to provide the entire population with clean drinking water and discharge their wastewater. This collaboration addresses basic human needs and also gives the population a sense of hope in the midst of the current destruction. The municipality of Bácsalmás is also benefiting: it is gaining valuable experience in crisis management under previously unknown conditions.

Kekava (Latvia) and Novyi Bilous: Reconstruction of education

Novyi Bilous and Kekava developed the project idea “NB 2.0: Education Renovation” as a result of study visits and exchange within the framework of “Bridges of Trust”. The aim is to create safe and appropriate school conditions and thus improve the learning environment for children, young people and teachers. This includes the renovation of damaged buildings, the construction of shelters and the training of teachers in psychological counselling.

In this way, the partners ensure that school lessons can continue despite the chaotic war conditions, that children and young people regain a sense of normality and security and are allowed to develop well – as human capital for the country.

Sundbyberg (Sweden) and Vasylkiv: Support for internally displaced young people

The Swedish municipality of Sundbyberg and Vasylkiv in the Kyiv region is dedicated to meeting the needs of over 7,000 internally displaced persons, including almost 2,000 young people. They aim to stabilise the mental health of these young people through social rehabilitation, psychological support and art therapy.

The young people also learn about the social infrastructure and historical sights of the community so that they can integrate more easily into society and develop a sense of belonging. This initiative aims to alleviate the effects of war trauma and enable young people to build a future for themselves despite the ongoing war.

San Sebastian (Spain) and Kremenchuk: Warmth in winter

San Sebastian has teamed up with Kremenchuk in the Poltava region to tackle a key problem: Heating. Russian missile attacks have destroyed the city’s main heating supply, affecting 180,000 people. The cooperation focuses on building a diversified heat generation and supply system so that the city can be supplied with heat even in the harsh Ukrainian winters.

In addition, “heat centres” are to be set up and equipped with individual heating systems, thus creating a lifeline for the population.

Financial challenges

These partnerships are confronted with various challenges. Many war-related obstacles stand in the way of efficient cooperation. However, they are also a catalyst for joining forces and a space where priorities for reconstruction are set. One current priority is the restoration of vital critical infrastructure.

As a fundamental part of the “Bridges of Trust” project, the municipalities are therefore looking for co-financing opportunities, leveraging EU funding and building capacities for the implementation of projects. However, despite the support from European partners, there is a lack of funding for direct local reconstruction. It is still difficult to secure funding for important and quickly realisable projects for the local population.

However, the security risks posed by daily shelling and missile attacks by Russia are deterring investors. The local and regional authorities in Ukraine and the EU are therefore placing great expectations in the joint national efforts to ensure a just peace in Ukraine and enable the realisation of the planned projects.

Looking ahead

The partnerships already in place are a sign of hope and resilience and show that solidarity, trust and mutual support can point the way to the future and contribute to a stronger Europe, even in the most difficult times. At the recent Ukraine Recovery Conference in June 2024, key areas for future cooperation were highlighted, including sustainable recovery practices, crisis management training and the integration of digital technologies to improve municipal services. The European and Ukrainian partner municipalities are determined to continue working together in these areas.

In order to make progress here, European municipalities and regions that have not yet been active in Ukraine are encouraged to register on CEMR’s Matchmaking Platform (https://partnerships.ccre-cemr.org/) to develop new partnerships with Ukrainian municipalities in particular, as well as with municipalities from other European countries. This call is also aimed at municipalities wishing to expand their networks. With common efforts, Ukraine can rebuilt back better, and Europe can be better equipped and prepared for current geopolitical turbulences.

Info

• CEMR: Bridges of Trust

https://ccre.org/activites/view/45

• U-LEAD with Europe

https://u-lead.org.ua/en

• Matchmaking platform landing page of the CEMR

https://partnerships.ccre-cemr.org

Bridges of Trust: CEMR launched a Matchmaking Platform at the Ukrainian Recovery Conference in Berlin

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On June 11 and 12, CEMR and PLATFORMA participated in the Ukrainian Recovery Conference (URC) in Berlin. The two-day event, featuring the participation of the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, brought together representatives from local authorities, associations, and mayors from Ukraine, Europe, and beyond. It provided a unique platform for knowledge sharing and dialogue among EU Institutions, civil society and local leaders cooperating for Ukraine’s recovery.

CEMR presented its contributions to the URC recommendations. Since 2021, CEMR and PLATFORMA have leveraged their network and expertise to support Ukraine by creating partnerships with EU member states municipalities through the Bridges of Trust initiative. In 2022, CEMR has become a core member of the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine and, most recently, an implementing partner of the SUN4Ukraine project. Just before the event, CEMR and PLATFORMA were received by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development to present how decentralised cooperation and multi-level dialogue are supporting European development policy in Ukraine. CEMR presented its contributions to the URC recommendations.

The highlight of CEMR’s participation in the 2024 URC has been the presentation of our latest project in partnership with BMW and GIZ, which aims to be a game changer for partnership building with Ukraine. The announcement came from CEMR’s Secretary General, Fabrizio Rossi, who unveiled the launch of the Platform “This is not merely a technological innovation but a political instrument that enables European municipalities to forge alliances with their Ukrainian counterparts, thereby expanding the scope of diplomatic engagement and strengthening bonds of friendship across borders,” stated Fabrizio Rossi. 

The platform is a digital matchmaking tool for Local and Regional Governments that want to be involved in decentralised international cooperation.  Featuring a partnership swipe feature, it allows local and regional governments to match with peers to create collaborative projects and build capacity for a stronger democratic future.

The project will officially be launched in the coming months, but it is already open for registration.

Register here to stay informed about the next steps of the initiatives

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.