Jul 12, 2024 - Ukraine
I know how hard it is to be a mayor in normal times, but I cannot imagine how hard it must be to be a mayor in times of war.
— Danny de Vries, board member of the Safety Region Utrecht & Mayor Oudewater
In the heart of Kyiv, from June 15-19, 2024, VNG International and its Ukrainian counterpart, the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) convened a pivotal conference amidst the echoes of ongoing conflict. The forum aimed to explore how Dutch municipal leaders can support their Ukrainian colleagues through peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, leveraging their firsthand understanding of the critical role played by local governments in providing essential services in times of crisis. This gathering marked the launch of phase two of the Sustainable Development through Improved Local Governance (SDLG) project—a crucial initiative aimed at rebuilding and fortifying communities torn apart by two years of war in Ukraine.
Mayor Jan van Zanen, a prominent advocate for international cooperation at the UCLG, emphasized the urgency of collective action: “In times of crisis, collaboration is not just beneficial—it is essential for meaningful change.” His sentiments resonated deeply as Dutch and Ukrainian counterparts strategized to rebuild shattered communities and pave a path towards stability.
Local Governments Take the Hit in Times of War
For the past two years, Ukraine has endured a full-scale war following Russia's invasion in 2022. This conflict has devastated daily life, causing widespread destruction and significant humanitarian crises. Martial law has curtailed rights and hampered efforts toward decentralization and democratization—essential for Ukraine’s development and stability.
Despite these challenges, local governments remain indispensable for maintaining community resilience. Further decentralization is also crucial for Ukraine's ongoing EU accession talks, aiming to strengthen governance and bring decision-making closer to citizens.
Support Through the SDLG Project
Amid these governance challenges, VNG International, AUC and Safety Region Utrecht are stepping in to support war-affected municipalities. They work towards enhanced sustainability and resilience of local governance through participatory processes, risk mitigation, and economic development facilitation.
A selected group of 15 local governments and communities in Ukraine will receive support in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts. Following the successful completion of phase one in 2024, phase two was launched at the Kyiv conference.
Phase Two: Building on Recovery Efforts
While phase one focused on the rollout of local recovery plans, phase two takes concrete actions to strengthen communities in safety, security, local economies, democratization, and citizen involvement.
Enhancing Governance through Peer-to-Peer Collaboration
A distinctive feature of this phase of the SDLG project is the peer-to-peer collaboration between Ukrainian and Dutch municipalities. Bringing international colleagues together in Kyiv fostered a deeper mutual respect. Carol van Eert, mayor of Rheden, was particularly inspired by the resilience of Ukrainian municipal leaders and their dedication in rebuilding their local communities.
One of the most poignant moments of the conference occurred when Ukrainian delegates openly shared their needs with their Dutch peers. Kostiantyn Starodumov, Chief of Vysokopillia (Kherson) Military Administration, for example, emphasized the importance of security and the introduction of democracy.
Personal stories of Ukrainian colleagues deeply moved the Dutch delegates. During one of the panel discussions, Danny de Vries, board member of the Safety Region Utrecht and mayor of Oudewater, passionately stated: “I know how hard it is to be a mayor in normal times, but I cannot imagine how hard it must be to be a mayor in times of war.” These face-to-face interactions fueled the Dutch mayors’ ambition to support Ukrainian counterparts in rebuilding their communities.
A core objective of the project is to match the needs flagged by Ukrainian mayors, with Dutch knowledge. Direct partnerships aim to facilitate the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions in local governance. Expertise from both Dutch and Ukrainian sides will work in synergy, with Ukrainian experts adapting Dutch know-how to fit the local context.
A Collaboration between Equals
Mayor van Eert believes Dutch municipalities can offer invaluable support in local economic recovery, such as investments in wind and solar energy and the revival of retail trade. Additionally, Ukrainian municipalities could benefit from the knowledge of Dutch safety regions, which have extensive experience in crisis response. It is for that reason that experts from Safety Region Utrecht were some of the key figures at the Kyiv conference, as they will be taking the lead on substantial discussion with Ukrainian leaders regarding safety, security and community resilience. Furthermore, the mayor of the Hague is convinced that sharing Dutch expertise in local democracy will help integrate concepts of civic participation and transparency into the Ukrainian model.
Chief of the Vysokopillia Military Administration, Kostiantyn Starodumov, emphasized that this Dutch-Ukrainian cooperation will be built on the principle of reciprocity. While Dutch expertise in improving democratic processes and enhancing citizen participation will benefit Ukrainian communities, Ukrainian officials have unique experiences in dealing with security challenges that can be valuable for the Dutch safety regions. This partnership highlights that the collaboration will be between equals.
Inspired? Get Involved!
Dutch municipalities are invited to join these efforts and contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine. Mayor Carol van Eert encourages, "The themes of the SDLG project align with what our Dutch municipalities are also working on, and I therefore call on all medium-sized and smaller municipalities to consider how they can contribute. Together, we can assist our 15 partner municipalities and their residents in achieving a new perspective for a peaceful and secure future."
VNG International looks forward to continued cooperation and knowledge development between Dutch and Ukrainian municipalities. Interested municipalities can contact VNG International to learn more about how they can get involved and support this crucial initiative.
Written by: Laura D’Haese