Ukraine is pursuing a long, complex path of EU integration and legislative approximation. Organised by EasyBusiness, CEMR and the Agency for Recovery and Development, with U-LEAD’s support, this session focuses on Ukraine’s EU accession progress under Chapter 22, municipalities’ pivotal role as ultimate beneficiaries and the power of international municipal partnerships. Acknowledging municipalities’ limited direct experience, the session highlights how knowledge exchange and collaborative initiatives facilitate vital learning, accelerate EU alignment and crucially contribute to Ukraine’s broader integration and cohesion with the EU, fostering sustainable reconstruction and future growth.
- Cohesion | EU/ European | Governance and Public administration | International | Investment and Finances | Local and regional | National | Territorial
- Code: 15PD252314
- Van Maerlant, VMA23
Speakers
Moderator
Practical information
- When
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Wed 15/10/2025, 16:30 - 18:00 CET
- Where
- Van Maerlant, VMA23
- Type of partnership
- Partnership
- Format
- Political/policy debate
- Theme
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Cohesion and Growth for the Future
- Languages
- English, Ukrainian
Partners
EasyBusiness
The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Reporting
Session summary
- Municipalities are central to Ukraine’s EU path: Local governments are essential drivers of reform and alignment with EU standards under Chapter 22 on Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments.
- Systemic changes are needed: Effective EU integration requires institutional reform, unified monitoring systems, strengthened capacities of regions and municipalities, and implementation of cohesion policy principles at the local level.
- Partnerships deliver tangible results: International municipal cooperation accelerates knowledge exchange, strengthens resilience, and translates policy into practical improvements for citizens; initiatives like Bridges of Trust are therefore critically important.
- Empowered municipalities enable recovery and growth: Local authorities play a key role in planning, coordinating, and implementing regional development, reconstruction, and recovery initiatives.
- EU support should be locally focused: Pre-accession assistance and recovery programmes must empower municipalities to act as engines of cohesion, growth, and sustainable development.
Quotes
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Integration into the EU will be beneficial for both the Ukrainian economy and the EU's strategic autonomy.
Invest in learning: every exchange visit or peer project strengthens municipal expertise for the next phase.
The Community facilitates access for European municipalities to all the services offered by organisations involved in international municipal cooperation.
Creating, retaining, and sharing knowledge on how to effectively use EU funding in the accession process are crucial.
Municipal partnerships show that rebuilding Ukraine is not a project of one country — it is a European mission shared across cities and regions.
