Projects and Programmes166

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

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

TARAN Stanislav

Project Officer – International Partnerships (U-Lead)

Bridges of Trust: New Branding and Strengthening Municipal Partnerships

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.

TARAN Stanislav

Project Officer – International Partnerships (U-Lead)

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

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

TARAN Stanislav

Project Officer – International Partnerships (U-Lead)

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

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.

TARAN Stanislav

Project Officer – International Partnerships (U-Lead)

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

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.

TARAN Stanislav

Project Officer – International Partnerships (U-Lead)