U-LEAD

The initiative “Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs): Instrument for Cooperation, Community Cohesion, and Development in Ukraine” was implemented by ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy – in close partnership with U-LEAD with Europe, from October 2023 to December 2024.

The project aimed to strengthen decentralized cooperation between Ukrainian and European municipalities as a key contribution to Ukraine’s post-war recovery. It focused on the establishment and empowerment of Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs) as sustainable platforms for EU-UA collaboration, capacity building, and community resilience.

Objectives and expected impact

The project contributed to increased engagement of Ukrainian municipalities in European networks, the formalization of new partnerships, and greater visibility for local governance in the recovery agenda. It also raised awareness about green recovery strategies and strengthened advocacy capacities of local actors.

The overarching goal of the project was to support Ukraine’s reconstruction by empowering medium-sized local authorities through meaningful partnerships. Specific objectives included:

Facilitating cooperation between EU and Ukrainian municipalities, particularly via the empowerment of LDA Dnipropetrovsk region and the creation of LDA Kharkiv region.

Promoting decentralized, sustainable collaboration between local authorities and civil society actors.

Encouraging knowledge exchange and innovative responses to war-related environmental challenges such as soil and water contamination.

Engaging local stakeholders in international policy dialogue and preparation for the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome.

Key activities and achievements

Among the main outcomes of the initiative were the successful creation of LDA Kharkiv region and the reinforcement of LDA Dnipropetrovsk region through a signed Memorandum of Understanding with Zelenodolsk municipality. In total, ten municipalities from Ukraine and the EU actively engaged in the project, including Merefa, Zelenodolsk, Vinnytsia, Ovruch, Dnipro, Buscate, Sceaux, and Ploeuc-l’Hermitage.

The initiative was funded by U-LEAD with Europe, with co-funding from institutions such as the Central European Initiative and support from DG ENEST, the European Committee of the Regions, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the Council of Europe, and other stakeholders. ALDA also closely collaborated with civil society organizations (EcoAction, ReWild Ukraine), international institutions (USAID, Expertise France), and EU municipalities (Buscate, Sceaux, Dijon, Ploeuc-l’Hermitage).

The initiative organized a series of high-impact events:

The International Conference on Decentralized Support for Ukrainian Communities in Vicenza

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The Pre-URC 2025 Preparatory Exchange in Kyiv

A conference in Dijon on the involvement of local authorities in Ukraine’s reconstruction

Five ALDA Talks online webinars on environmental recovery

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