Building capacities for quality local reconstruction projects
The role of local self-government is crucial in the process of planning, coordination and implementation of reconstruction activities in Ukraine. The war has reduced local capacities in terms of both fiscal and human resources. Hence, even stronger support is needed in the preparation of reconstruction projects, the development of ready-to-go investments, but also in the provision of citizens-oriented services to ultimately ensure the return of people and businesses to directly war-affected areas.
«Bridges of Trust»
Through Bridges of Trust, U-LEAD increases the cooperation and intensifies exchange of experience and best practices between EU and Ukrainian municipalities. We build on pre-war efforts and foster international partnerships to exchange knowledge and share experience.
After the start of the full-scale war, around 70 municipalities from 17 different EU member states were involved in supporting partner municipalities in Ukraine through immediate support to war-affected municipalities in the form of humanitarian supplies or other forms of cooperation. Most of these partnerships will be enhanced and directed to supporting municipal reconstruction, recovery planning, project preparation and implementation.
In cooperation with the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe (NALAS) and the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC), we facilitate institutional cooperation with local self-government organisations and municipalities in altogether 17 EU Member States, amongst them Denmark, Latvia, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Slovenia, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Estonia will be engaged.
Municipal Project Preparation Facility (PPF)
Through the Municipal Project Preparation Facility, U-LEAD contracts and finances certified experts (design engineers, architects, procurement experts etc.) under Ukrainian regulations to prepare technical documentation for at least 25 municipal reconstruction projects, so that they are ready for participation in competitions for available reconstruction funding. The projects will, in sum, cover a reconstruction need worth EUR 10 million each. Projects will focus on key local self-government public service sectors, such as education, primary healthcare, local transport, water supply and sewage, and waste management. The technical project documentation is being developed in accordance with the expectations of donor funding sources as well as Ukrainian legislation and standards.
In addition to the work from the Project Preparation Facility, our work digs into deeper cooperation with municipalities in the sector of education. We focus on restoring and expanding access to local education systems that are responsive to the specific needs during and after the war. Amongst other activities, by providing comprehensive support to 12 selected war-affected municipalities we enable them to assess damage and invest in repairing school buildings and ultimately reopen their facilities to their students.
«Digital Hromada»
We supports municipalities to capitalise on digital transformation and evolving technology to change the way municipalities design & deliver services, develop, and interact with their populations and partners. It aims at increasing capacities of municipal officials in digital transformation to strengthen resilience of municipal institutions in times of war and dealing with its effects. Through this initiative, U-LEAD closely works with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine (MinDigit) and engages in a cooperation with the NGO "Social boost".
