URC 2025
As Ukraine continues on its path of reconstruction and reform, the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (URC 2025), to be held in Rome, will be a milestone moment. ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy – plays a leading role in this process by coordinating the Local and Regional Dimension of the conference. Working in close collaboration with Italian MFA, ALDA coordinating a working group for LRD, mobilizing it`s network in EU and Ukraine and organizing pre-URC events.
Drawing on its extensive network of members and partners, ALDA ensures that the voices of Ukrainian municipalities, local authorities, and civil society organizations are not only heard but placed at the centre of the recovery process.
Since October 2024, ALDA has led a wide-ranging consultation process, starting with the ALDA Network Conference in Kyiv, where discussions focused on decentralisation, participatory democracy, and the needs of local communities. These insights have shaped the content and structure of the local governance panels at URC 2025. Events in Venice, Verona, and Brussels have continued to build momentum and sharpen the focus on local resilience and innovation.
Working closely with more than 30 Ukrainian members—including ten municipalities, five Local Democracy Agencies, universities, and national networks—ALDA has facilitated the identification of speakers and experts to contribute meaningfully to both public sessions and closed-door discussions at the Conference. It has also provided strategic support for the preparation of speeches and contributions by local leaders.
To support this engagement, ALDA has launched a dedicated communication platform, while background papers and analytical briefs are being developed to guide discussions and offer policy recommendations. These contributions focus on key themes such as localising the recovery process, building inclusive governance systems, and empowering municipalities to take a leading role in reconstruction efforts.
In close cooperation with Italian and Ukrainian partners, ALDA is also co-organising a preparatory event for the Dimension in Verona, offering a dedicated space for further exchange and coordination ahead of the Rome conference.
