MinRestoration is the primary political stakeholder in the processes of decentralisation and regional development. That is why it is also the chair of U-LEAD with Europe’s Steering Committee.  Through contributing to MinRestoration’s Common Results Framework, we make sure that our work has a sustainable impact on bringing the Ukrainian system of multi-level governance and regional development in line with the European Charter of Local Self-Government.

Achieving digital transformation of public administration at all levels is a priority of the Ukrainian government. To empower municipalities to seize the opportunities from digital transformation, we work closely together with MinDigit. We do this by identifying and supporting digital champions at the local level, developing training programmes and work on digital transformation projects in municipalities. This cooperation builds on a longstanding partnership between U-LEAD with Europe and MinDigit to establish 484 Administrative Service Centers at the municipal level.

The European Union is U-LEAD with Europe’s major donor and one of the most dedicated supporters of decentralisation reform in Ukraine. The EU Delegation to Ukraine is the co-chair of the U-LEAD with Europe steering committee. Together with other important EU actors, most importantly the Support Group to Ukraine, the EU Delegation is providing guidance to our programme on a continuous basis. Moreover, the EU experience is visible in all areas of our work. For example, through a cooperation with the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, Ukrainian municipalities get first-hand experience through intensive exchange with municipalities from all over Europe on what works to achieve local development. Together with funds from Germany and Denmark, the EU financed our emergency support to 333 war-affected municipalities.

Germany has been a supporter of U-LEAD with Europe since 2016 showing long-term commitment to strong and capable municipalities in Ukraine. Through a multitude of capacity development activities ranging from study tours to support to municipal partnerships and highly-specialised policy advice, our Ukrainian partners benefit from the experience of the German system of multi-level governance and the strong foundation of local self-government. Also, the Special Envoy of the German government for the Ukrainian reform agenda, Professor Georg Milbradt provides important advisory support to the Ukrainian government to successfully implement its reforms. With funds from Germany, U-LEAD with Europe was able to implement its emergency support to 333 war-affected municipalities

The Polish government supports U-LEAD with Europe’s initiative “Civil protection in Ukrainian Hromadas” which is financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and implemented by the Polish Solidarity Fund in cooperation with the Association of Voluntary Firefighters of Poland. The initiative supports municipalities in establishing and training voluntary fire brigades, consisting of twelve crew members each. Project activities include, amongst others, training programmes on municipality safety plans, training of fire brigades by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and online study visits to Polish municipalities. The initiative significantly contributes to the transformation of the emergency response system in rural municipalities.

Since 2016, Denmark’s engagement enriches the Programme’s activities with experience from Danish municipalities. In 2021, Denmark scaled-up its contribution to U-LEAD with Europe, emphasising a range of initiatives, including the setting-up of a twinning cooperation between the Danish municipality Guldborgsund and nine Carpathian municipalities thus promoting knowledge transfer, and inspiration on efficient and effective local self-government.  With the support from Denmark, U-LEAD with Europe initiated a comprehensive cooperation with Ukrainian research centers to promote high-quality research about the Ukrainian decentralisation reform and regional development policy. Denmark also contributed funds to U-LEAD with Europe’s emergency support to 333 war-affected municipalities.

Slovenia’s experience is a cornerstone of U-LEAD with Europe’s activities when it comes to international municipal partnerships. Currently, there are twelve dynamic municipal partnerships between Ukrainian and Slovenian municipalities.  Partners from various regions of both countries committed themselves to the cooperation and exchange in various fields: waste management, business promotion, natural and cultural heritage preservation, youth exchanges, industrial transition. This experience forms an important element of our general approach to international municipal partnerships, which we call “Bridges of Trust”.

"We build Ukraine", the initiative of the Ukrainian government, aims to unite all international partners who are involved or plan to be involved in the reconstruction of Ukraine. The priority of the work is the restoration of housing, energy, social, transport and critical infrastructure, demining of territories, support of the private sector. U-LEAD actively paticipates in this initiative.