In a continuous effort to support local governance and democracy in Ukraine, ALDA successfully completed a mission from October 14 to 18, 2024, strengthening partnerships and fostering collaboration with key local and international actors. This mission highlighted the importance of dialogue and cooperation in the face of ongoing challenges, especially in the regions most affected by the conflict. The key areas visited included Ovruch, Zhytomyr, and Poltava, where the progress of ongoing projects and potential future partnerships were explored.
Ovruch: Building Resilience Near the Border
Ovruch, a village near the Belarusian border, showcased remarkable resilience despite the challenges posed by its proximity to the border and the conflict. ALDA’s visit underlined the importance of ongoing community partnerships, with strong collaborations between Ovruch, UNICEF, GIZ, and towns in France and Estonia. One of the major achievements is the establishment of an active youth centre. Moving forward, ALDA aims to utilise funds from Saint Brieux to establish a Local Democracy Agency (LDA) office in Ovruch and explore collaboration opportunities with the nearby town of Korosten (Ukraine).
Zhytomyr: Strengthening International Ties
In Zhytomyr, ALDA carried greetings from the Mayor of Vicenza, Giacomo Possamai, and from Maria Rita Dal Molin, Director of the Vicenza Centro Servizi Volontariato. A heartfelt thank you was expressed by all the Ukrainian partners we met in Zhytomyr, for the continued support throughout these challenging times. Zhytomyr’s Mayor, Sergiy Sukhomlyn, now serves as Director of the Ukrainian Agency for Reconstruction, while the mission was hosted by Deputy Mayor Svitlana Olshanska and the city’s Secretary, who will manage the municipality until the next elections. Zhytomyr, located in central Ukraine about an hour and a half west of Kyiv, remains a key hub for fostering international cooperation. Our meetings focused on enhancing ties with Italian businesses and promoting environmental initiatives. Plans for a March 2025 mission aim to strengthen the partnership between Zhytomyr and Vicenza. Additionally, Zhytomyr is making notable progress toward its 2025 climate-neutrality goal, driven by ambitious sustainability efforts.
Poltava: A Model for Resilience and Future Collaborations
ALDA’s visit to Poltava underscored the city’s exceptional organisation in managing refugees and local services, from schools to veteran centres. Poltava’s resilience and proactive efforts make it a strong candidate for future LDA partnerships. A partner visit is scheduled for February 2025, marking the start of deeper collaboration and support for Poltava’s initiatives.
Key Partnerships and Upcoming Events
The mission culminated with the event on October 17, 2024—ALDA Network Meeting in Kyiv: a Pre-URC 2025 Preparatory Exchange. The event, in collaboration with U LEAD, brought together high-level representatives, including ambassadors from Italy, Austria, and the EU, to discuss strategies for Ukraine’s recovery and modernisation. Meetings with Ambassadors yielded promising outcomes for ALDA’s work in Ukraine. The Italian Ambassador, Carlo Formosa and the Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová, expressed interest in ongoing projects despite some communication challenges. There is a strong focus on increasing advocacy for Italian support, particularly in relation to the Proud Project. The Austrian Ambassador, Arad Benkö, has been proactive in supporting the LDAs, and further collaboration with Austrian stakeholders will be explored.
This meeting was crucial in defining key areas of focus for(URC 2025), with a particular emphasis on decentralised cooperation, sustainable recovery, and empowering local governance.
This mission reinforced ALDA’s commitment to Ukraine and its local communities, setting the stage for stronger collaborations and impactful projects in the near future. As we move forward, ALDA will continue to play a pivotal role in fostering resilient, modern communities across Europe and Ukraine.
