On 28 April 2026, the Municipal Partnerships Forum: Austria – Ukraine, organised by U-LEAD with Europe, took place online. The event convened representatives from Ukrainian and Austrian municipalities, European Union institutions, the Government of Ukraine, the Austrian Embassy, and expert organisations.
The discussions highlighted the growing relevance of municipal partnerships as a practical instrument for strengthening local governance, supporting Ukraine’s recovery, and accompanying its EU integration process.
In his intervention, Vitalii Protsenko, Director of the Department of Regional Policy and Territorial Reintegration of Ukraine, pointed to the role of international cooperation at the local level in building resilient communities and fostering balanced regional development. Ambassador H.E. Mr. Robert Martin Müller reiterated Austria’s continued commitment to Ukraine, stressing that progress towards EU membership depends not only on national reforms, but also on active engagement at the local level.
From the EU perspective, Asier Santillán (EU Delegation to Ukraine) emphasised that partnerships between municipalities contribute directly to resilience and reconstruction efforts by turning political support into concrete cooperation projects.
Within this context, KDZ presented the Municipal Exchange Fund A4U, providing practical insights into the current Call for Proposals, application procedures, and opportunities for engagement. The session enabled direct exchange with interested municipalities, addressing questions and fostering new connections.
A valuable contribution was made by the municipalities of Bregenz (Austria) and Yaremche (Ukraine), which shared their practical experiences in bilateral cooperation, illustrating the tangible benefits and challenges of municipal partnerships.
Overall, the Forum underscored the importance of structured cooperation between municipalities - not only as a platform for knowledge exchange, but as a driver for sustainable local development, institutional strengthening, and Ukraine’s gradual alignment with European standards.
Strengthening ties between local governments remains a key element in supporting Ukraine’s recovery and reinforcing its European perspective.
Get more information at municipalexchangea4u.eu.
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