Bridges of Trust: connecting small and medium-sized municipalities

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is significantly strengthening the efforts of European municipalities and regions to support Ukrainian partners. The “Bridges of Trust” (BoT) project, with the support of the U-LEAD with Europe programme, connects small and medium-sized Ukrainian municipalities with municipalities in the EU, making it easier for them to gain experience in international cooperation.

This creates bilateral exchanges between mayors and experts. New partnerships are formed and existing ones gain resilience. Since then, study visits have taken place, and the municipalities are now jointly developing projects to address the immediate needs of Ukrainian municipalities and share knowledge about good practices for current challenges.

This exchange of experience is a win-win situation for both sides. For example, the European partners gain expertise in disaster prevention, crisis management, and social cohesion. Their Ukrainian partners have become very good at finding quick solutions to life-threatening situations, and they offer their colleagues the opportunity to learn from their ability to adapt quickly.

30 partnerships and 48 project proposals

Since November 2022, as part of “Bridges of Trust”, 30 municipalities from ten regions of Ukraine have established partnerships with 30 municipalities from the European Union, including France, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia, Spain, the Czech Republic and Hungary. These partnerships have developed 48 project proposals addressing key issues such as water supply, wastewater treatment, reconstruction of hospitals and cultural facilities, waste management, alternative energy sources, construction of shelters and the integration of internally displaced persons.

Here are a few examples:

• Bácsalmás (Hungary) and Byshiv: Water for life

The Hungarian municipality of Bácsalmás has joined forces with Byshiv (Kyiv region), where only eleven per cent of households have a centralised water supply and wastewater disposal system. The Russian war of aggression has made this situation even worse. As six waterworks were damaged, there is no clean water in schools, kindergartens, cultural centres, health and educational facilities.

The project jointly developed by Byshiv and Bácsalmás is therefore dedicated to the construction of a new water supply and wastewater management infrastructure to provide the entire population with clean drinking water and discharge their wastewater. This collaboration addresses basic human needs and also gives the population a sense of hope in the midst of the current destruction. The municipality of Bácsalmás is also benefiting: it is gaining valuable experience in crisis management under previously unknown conditions.

• Kekava (Latvia) and Novyi Bilous: Reconstruction of education

Novyi Bilous and Kekava developed the project idea “NB 2.0: Education Renovation” as a result of study visits and exchange within the framework of “Bridges of Trust”. The aim is to create safe and appropriate school conditions and thus improve the learning environment for children, young people and teachers. This includes the renovation of damaged buildings, the construction of shelters and the training of teachers in psychological counselling.

In this way, the partners ensure that school lessons can continue despite the chaotic war conditions, that children and young people regain a sense of normality and security, and that they are allowed to develop well as human capital for the country.

• Sundbyberg (Sweden) and Vasylkiv: Support for internally displaced young people

The Swedish municipality of Sundbyberg and Vasylkiv in the Kyiv region is dedicated to meeting the needs of over 7,000 internally displaced persons, including almost 2,000 young people. They aim to stabilise the mental health of these young people through social rehabilitation, psychological support and art therapy.

The young people also learn about the social infrastructure and historical sights of the community so that they can integrate more easily into society and develop a sense of belonging. This initiative aims to alleviate the effects of war trauma and enable young people to build a future for themselves despite the ongoing war.

• San Sebastian (Spain) and Kremenchuk: Warmth in winter

San Sebastian has teamed up with Kremenchuk in the Poltava region to tackle a key problem: Heating. Russian missile attacks have destroyed the city’s main heating supply, affecting 180,000 people. The cooperation focuses on building a diversified heat generation and supply system so that the city can be supplied with heat even in the harsh Ukrainian winters.

In addition, “heat centres” are to be set up and equipped with individual heating systems, thus creating a lifeline for the population.

Financial challenges

These partnerships are confronted with various challenges. Many war-related obstacles stand in the way of efficient cooperation. However, they are also a catalyst for joining forces and a space where priorities for reconstruction are set. One current priority is the restoration of vital critical infrastructure.

As a fundamental part of the “Bridges of Trust” project, the municipalities are therefore looking for co-financing opportunities, leveraging EU funding and building capacities for the implementation of projects. However, despite the support from European partners, there is a lack of funding for direct local reconstruction. It is still difficult to secure funding for important and quickly realisable projects for the local population.

However, the security risks posed by daily shelling and missile attacks by Russia are deterring investors. The local and regional authorities in Ukraine and the EU are therefore placing great expectations in the joint national efforts to ensure a just peace in Ukraine and enable the realisation of the planned projects.

Looking ahead

The partnerships already in place are a sign of hope and resilience and show that solidarity, trust and mutual support can point the way to the future and contribute to a stronger Europe, even in the most difficult times. At the recent Ukraine Recovery Conference in June 2024, key areas for future cooperation were highlighted, including sustainable recovery practices, crisis management training and the integration of digital technologies to improve municipal services. The European and Ukrainian partner municipalities are determined to continue working together in these areas.

To make progress here, European municipalities and regions that have not yet been active in Ukraine are encouraged to register on CEMR’s Matchmaking Platform to develop new partnerships with Ukrainian municipalities in particular, as well as with municipalities from other European countries. This call is also aimed at municipalities wishing to expand their networks. With common efforts, Ukraine can rebuilt back better, and Europe can be better equipped and prepared for current geopolitical turbulences.

(Picture: © European Union 2024 – Source : EP)