Bridges of Trust97

Polish municipality gives aid to Ukrainian partner and paves the way for cooperation

As part of the Bridges of Trust, project bringing together EU and Ukrainian municipalities, Polanica-Zdrój in Poland and Polyanytsya in Ukraine are deepening their partnership through a formal Cooperation Agreement. Local officials in the southeastern Polish town welcomed a delegation of their Ukrainian colleagues from 13 to 16 September. This was an occasion to sign the agreement and provide financial assistance to Polyanytsya.
 
All good cooperation takes time to develop. Municipal officials first met online back in November 2021 and were able to explore each side’s development challenges and the potential areas of cooperation. The Russian invasion of Ukraine imposed a brutal change of perspective: emergency support became paramount. Polanica-Zdrój offered to provide shelter to anyone fleeing the war from their partner municipality.
 
Almost a year later, officials from Polyanytsya were able to visit their Polish partner. Local officials showcased Polanica-Zdrój’s achievements, especially regarding waste management and economic infrastructure, and held an official ceremony for the signature of the two municipalities’ Cooperation Agreement.
 
Mayor of Polanica-Zdrój Mateusz Jellin handed the Ukrainian delegation a symbolic cheque of 8,000 EUR collected with the help of their German twin city, Telgte. The money will be spent to address the Ukrainian people’s urgent emergency or humanitarian needs.
 
“The knowledge we gained during the visit will be a good experience for us for the further development of our municipality” said Antonina Mirus, head of Polyanytsya’s Legal Department. “And most importantly, we found new friends.”
 
The Ukrainian officials thanked Polanica-Zdrój for its openness and support in the face of war. In turn, Mayor Jellin will visit Polyanystya in the coming months.
 
The partnership between the two municipalities is part of the “Bridges of Trust” project, implemented by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), PLATFORMA and supported by U-LEAD with Europe. The Association of Polish Cities (ZMP) also played an important role in matching the municipalities.

TARAN Stanislav

Project Officer – International Partnerships (U-Lead)

Slovakia’s Sol’ and Ukraine’s Solotvyno show how municipal partnerships can drive reconstruction

Josef Berta, mayor of Sol’ in Slovakia, knew right away that he wanted to partner up with Solotvyno in the neighbouring Zakarpattia region of Ukraine. Both municipalities share a history connected to the salt deposits present in both territories. The partners first met online in the fall of 2021 and decided to cooperate and set up joint activities to exchange best practices and develop local officials’ capacities.

After the Russian attack on Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the spring visit to Sol’ was postponed and the focus was shifted to emergency needs. Firefighters from this Slovak village, together with some local officials, were among the first to arrive on the border to meet and provide help to the thousands of Ukrainians who were fleeing the war. At this time, Solotvyno was also welcoming internally displaced people who were arriving from other regions of Ukraine that were under attack.

The opportunity to meet in person came in September. Sol’ has a very impressive record of winning EU funding and is number two in the region in terms of the number of EU grants received per capita. Mayor Berta and his team presented the details behind the projects to the Ukrainian delegation and showcased results with visits to the school, a renovated historical building, the volunteer firefighters brigade and more.

The delegation also visited a local business that received funding from the EU for a project that aimed to boost entrepreneurship and create job opportunities in the area. The partners also discussed the possibility of applying for funding to implement joint projects under cross-border cooperation or other EU programmes.

“We are extremely impressed with the visit to Sol’”, said Bohdan Makusii, Head of Affairs of the Solotvyno Village Council. “We hope for the establishment of close and long-term cooperation between our communities and the implementation of joint projects that will improve the lives of the population of the two communities and quickly integrate Ukraine into the European Union.”

Solotvyno representatives learned about the surrounding Prešov region and the current drivers of economic development in the area. The delegation was also invited by the mayor of Vranov nad Topľou to take part in a ceremony recognising locals’ professional and personal contributions. On this occasion, the Director of the Cultural House also presented cultural projects that were funded from the EU grants.

Taken together, the cooperation between Sol’ and Solotvyno shows how municipal partnerships can be a driver of reconstruction in Ukraine: by sharing local expertise, capitalising on EU opportunities and bringing people closer together across borders.

Bridges of Trust is implemented by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and PLATFORMA, and is supported by the U-LEAD with Europe programme, a multi-donor action of the European Union and its member states Germany, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and Slovenia.

Video of visit highlights.

TARAN Stanislav

Project Officer – International Partnerships (U-Lead)

The summer camp organised by Siauliai District municipality impressed the children of Dolyna municipality

On 8 August, the 10-day summer camp for Dolyna Municipality (Ukraine), organised by the Šiauliai District Municipality, came to an end. 36 children from Dolyna municipality, accompanied by 4 adult educators, camped in a children’s summer camp near Lake Elongatis in Švenčionys district and by the sea in Melnragė.

Children from Dolyna municipality camped from 29 July to 5 August in the “Sunny Krantas” camp near Lake Pailgio in Švenčionys district. Here, the Ukrainians, together with other campers, participated in various activities, sports competitions and educational activities. As many of the children were visiting Lithuania for the first time, their camp manager Greta organised study trips to Trakai, Kernave and Vilnius for the Dolyna delegation. For three more days, the Ukrainians camped by the sea in Melnragė, enjoyed the beautiful beaches of the Baltic Sea and visited Klaipeda. On the way from the camp in Švenčionys district to the camp on the seaside in Melnragė, the Ukrainians went to Šiauliai district – they really wanted to see the most beautiful and famous places in Šiauliai district as well as meet its leaders.

First of all, the Ukrainian bus went to visit the world-famous Hill of Crosses, located in the Šiauliai district. Impressed and surprised by one of the most famous and visited sacred places in Lithuania, the Ukrainians erected a cross on the Hill of Crosses for Ukraine to win the war. In this delegation were children whose parents were fighting or had died in the brutal war that was ravaging their country.

The Ukrainians came to Kuršėnai, to Laurynas Ivinskis Square, wearing traditional national clothes – “vyšyvankas”. The children from the town of Dolyna and their educators Victor Yatskiv, Olha Listkova, Iryna Krekhovetska, Mariana Boberska were welcomed by the mayor of the Šiauliai district municipality Antanas Bezaras, his deputy Česlovas Spartas and his deputy Rita Žadeikytė.
Mayor Antanas Bezaras spoke briefly about the Šiauliai district, the guests presented the mayor with their drawings on the theme of friendship between Ukraine and Lithuania, which they created during their stay in the “Saules Bank” camp.

The guests were escorted to the Kuršėnai manor by taking one of the longest pedestrian bridges in Lithuania, where the history of the town of Kuršėnai was told, traditional “Kuršėnian” sweets and herbal tea were enjoyed.

Dolyna’s children loved the Kuršėnai manor, and especially the welcoming owners of the manor, Alina Milašienė and Lina Šukienė, who not only welcomed the guests, fed them, but also told the history of the town and the Kuršėnai manor. To the hostesses, the Ukrainians sang Ukrainian songs and the anthem of the town of Dolyna as a token of their thanks.

After their stay in Kuršėnai, the guests travelled to Klaipeda, Melnragė. In Klaipeda, activities and sightseeing tours were organised for them. On 8 August, the guests returned to Dolyna. This trip for the children of Dolyna municipality is a gift from the Šiauliai District Municipality. The Municipal Council of Šiauliai District approved the cooperation between the municipalities of Šiauliai District and the town of Dolyna. On 12 July, the mayor of the Šiauliai district municipality, Antanas Bezaras, mandated by his municipal council, signed a cooperation agreement with Ivan Dyriv, mayor representing the Dolyna municipal council. The mayors of the two municipalities, at the signing of the contract, expressed their satisfaction with the fact that, even before the contract was signed, the municipalities of Šiauliai and Dolyna district were already connected by fraternal ties, which were established in autumn 2021 when they started to participate in the “Bridges of Trust” project.

The leaders of Dolyna Municipality stated that the significant humanitarian support of Šiauliai District Municipality and farmer Česlovas Karbauskis, contributing 1000 euros to the Gruzdžiai dispensary, for a total of more than 100,000 euros is an important sign of sincere friendship and an example to follow.

The Šiauliai District Municipality pays great attention to children’s summer recreation – this year financial support was allocated to fund no less than 16 children’s summer camp and summer recreation projects.

The summer school has been supported by the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, a multi-donor action of the European Union and its member states (Germany, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Estonia and Slovenia).

Šiauliai district municipality information

TARAN Stanislav

Project Officer – International Partnerships (U-Lead)

Ukrainian children find sun and peace in Latvian summer camp

As part of our coverage of the local and regional dimensions of Russia’s war in Ukraine, CEMR is highlighting the help given by European municipalities and regions to their Ukrainian peers. We hope these stories inspire other local and regional governments to heighten their efforts to support Ukraine.

Twenty-one children and three adults from the municipality of Nizhyn in Ukraine had an opportunity to spend unforgettable days in a summer camp in Latvia. This took place between 27 June and 6 July at a place right next to the sea – Abragciems.

This was the initiative of the municipality of Preili, which has been cooperating with Nizhyn for several years. The summer camp was organised by the Children’s Foundation in Latvia, however logistical support and transport was ensured through the successful cooperation of Preili, the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG), the Viduslatgale Municipal Foundation, the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC), Nizhyn and 179 citizens from Latvia and abroad who have supported the initiative.

The camp was named “Sunflower” as this symbol is widely associated with Ukraine. The main aim of this camp is to let children who have seen war enjoy at least for a while Latvian sun and feel loved, safe and cared for.

The children who participated in the summer camp were aged 8 to 16. They were selected on the basis of three criteria: orphaned children, children who helped as volunteers during the war and distributed humanitarian aid to the population, and talented children (young artists).

A place of peace and healing

The group included children whose parents participated in the battles during the defence of Nizhyn, including two children whose father, an Armenian, lost both legs in the battles. The children were accompanied by three adults: Tamara Stratilat, the Head of Nizhyn volunteer headquarters, joined by Angela Timchenko, the Director of the Nizhyn Youth Centre, and Galina Bianka, the Head of the volunteer organization “Time for Us”.

During the summer camp, children participated in different activities. They were also provided with physiotherapy and classes with the possibility of using kinesiological taping and soft tissue techniques. Given the circumstances, the conversations with a psychologist were especially important.

The children not only enjoyed the sunny weather and seaside but also participated in various outdoor sports activities, cultural and musical events, as well as excursions to discover Latvia, its nature and its people. For example, they visited Rundale Castle and walked through the labyrinths of its beautiful park, enjoyed the magic and attractions of Tervete Park, as well as participated in the expedition along the sea coast. They have left Latvia back home taking with them not only nice memories but also different drawings and self-made souvenirs.

An all-weather partnership

The municipalities of Preili and Nizhyn have been cooperating for several years already, mainly organising joint activities in the creative fields, involving children and young people. Both municipalities have also actively participated in the European Days of Local Solidarity (EDLS) and development education activities organised by the LALRG and PLATFORMA.

The cooperation was not put on a break even during the COVID crisis, when children from Nizhyn together with children from Latvia and Georgia participated in the creation of a music and art video. Nor cooperation stop during the war.

LALRG and PLATFORMA hope that this initiative has not only brought joy into the lives of Nizhyn’s children and their parents but would also serve as an inspiration for others to continue the cooperation, even during these times, when this is not easily done!

This story was first published by PLATFORMA.

TARAN Stanislav

Project Officer – International Partnerships (U-Lead)

Bridges of Trust partner-municipalities, Ukmergė and Korosten, meet in person for the first time

As part of our coverage of the local and regional dimensions of Russia’s war in Ukraine, CEMR is highlighting the help given by European municipalities and regions to their Ukrainian peers. We hope these stories inspire other local and regional governments to heighten their efforts to support Ukraine.

On 27-29 May 2022, a delegation from Korosten traveled to Lithuania to visit their Bridges of Trust partner-municipality Ukmergè, on the occasion of the City Festival for the first time.

The two partner-municipalities first met online in October 2021, in the framework of the Bridges of Trust project, implemented by the CEMR, PLATFORMA and supported by the U-LEAD with Europe programme. If study visits and internships were planned for spring and summer, the war changed this. At the same time, the difficult situation in Ukraine and in Korosten brought the two partners closer.  Ukmergė was among the first to send humanitarian aid to the people and internally displaced in Korosten. In April, the two municipalities also signed a partnership agreement.

In order to thank Ukmergė for their support, the delegation from Korosten travelled 1020 km. The delegation included: Natalia Chizhevska, deputy mayor, Volodymyr Stuzhuk, head of the Economic Department, Mykola Zayets, head of the Health Department and Leonid Yakubovsky, head of the Communal service agency.

Deputy mayor, Natalia Chuzevska, shared her impressions from the visit:

During the visit, the delegation also visited different educational and medical institutions and they hoped to be able to bring some of the best practices from Ukmergė to Korosten. This will be especially important in the reconstruction of some of the buildings that have been destroyed or damaged by Russian shelling.  

Last but not least, the delegation from Korosten met other twin-cities of Ukmergė: Bad Langensalza – Germany, Kiskunmajsa – Hungary, Līvāni – Latvia and Tarnowo Podgórne – Poland.

The cooperation continues and this Lithuanian-Ukrainian partnership is an excellent example and testament to the importance of international municipal cooperation.  

TARAN Stanislav

Project Officer – International Partnerships (U-Lead)