Ukraine
Region Gotland – Berislav, Ukraine
Growing Together for Resilient Futures The partnership between Gotland and Berislav is rooted in deep historical ties, with approximately 10% of Gotland’s population having Ukrainian heritage. This longstanding connection forms a natural foundation for the current collaboration, which is driven by a mutual ambition to foster democratic resilience and prepare for long-term societal development despite…
Kalmar – Poltava, Ukraine
Project: Equal preparedness and civil defense – Strengthened resilience in Poltava and Kalmar The partnership between Kalmar and Poltava focuses on enhancing public health by making it more accessible and building sustainable communities, aligning their efforts with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Despite the immense challenges posed…
Lidingö – Slavuta, Ukraine
Resilient Education: Empowering Democracy Through Critical Thinking The partnership between Lidingö and Slavuta focuses on resilient education, aiming to strengthen local democracy through critical thinking among youth. With the backdrop of war and societal challenges, the project emphasizes inclusive, accessible, and democracy-oriented education to strengthen social cohesion and long-term societal resilience. Both municipalities focus on…
Västerås – Shatsk, Ukraine
Project: From Waste to Resource The project “From Waste to Resource” adresses waste management and circular economy, environmental education and how to communicate waste management issues to children from 5 to 6 in a kindergarten and youths from 7-17 in three pilot schools in the rural area. In Ukraine, there is great knowledge and experience…
Strengthening Local Resilience through Democracy – Lessons from Ukrainian Municipalities
What role does local democracy play in times of crisis? This question has been at the heart of ICLD’s recent research collaboration with the Kyiv School of Economics, exploring how Ukrainian municipalities have responded to the profound challenges of war. Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, local self-governments in Ukraine have demonstrated that…
Internally displaced persons integration in Ukraine
With over 4.6 million registered IDPs, Ukraine’s approach provides valuable insights into rapid crisis response, community integration, and participatory governance. Innovative local initiatives offer lessons in empowering displaced people to participate in local decision-making and strengthen societal resilience. Studying these approaches and practices can help in shaping global strategies for managing displacement and fostering social…
The tangible value of local democracy
How collaborative local governance supports crisis response in Ukraine amid the Russian full-scale invasion. This brief highlights how collaborative local governance aids Ukrainian communities in responding to crises caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion and boosts societal resilience. Co-production between local governments, residents, nonprofits, and businesses has led to practical solutions for challenges like internal displacement.…
Vitalii – Champion of Local Democracy
Vitalii Bielobrov is Deputy Mayor of the ukrainian city Kherson, one of the cities that has suffered and continues to suffer greatly from the Russian invasion. Despite the hardships, the residents show remarkable resilience and solidarity. Many choose to stay, support one another, and continue fighting for their city. “In difficult times, you must have a…
Västerås – Shatsk, Ukraine
Project: A Safer Future for Children The project “A safer future for children” seeks to address the problem of insufficient awareness and capacity to protect and fulfill children’s rights in rural and small communities, particularly in the context of war and crises. This issue affects community resilience and children’s access to education, safety, and psychological…
Trollhättan – Fastiv, Ukraine
EU-integration through Youth Inclusion The partnership between Trollhättan and Fastiv are in the early phase of their project. After receiving approval for their application, the municipalities began planning their activities with a strong focus on youth participation and community inclusion. At its core, the project targets young people in vulnerable contexts—rural youth in Ukraine and,…
