Ukraine at MARUF 2025: Local governments are the backbone of resilience in wartime

In the context of the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine, local leaders, experts, and partners gathered at the NALAS–PLATFORMA Eastern Partnership Seminar in the framework of the MARUF 2025 in Istanbul (Türkiye) to discuss how municipalities are driving reforms, ensuring service delivery, and laying the foundations for recovery — even under the most difficult circumstances.

Despite the devastating war, local authorities continue to provide essential public services, protect their citizens, and uphold democratic values. The keynote address by Mayor of Pereshchepyne Municipality Yaroslav Tsvirkun highlighted the realities of wartime governance and the crucial role of local leadership in maintaining community stability and preparing for reconstruction.

Speakers including Nataliya Lazarenko (International cooperation manager at AUC, the Association of Ukrainian Cities), Durmish Guri (Director for Projects and Programmes at CEMR, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions), and Kelmend Zajazi (Executive Director of NALAS, the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South East Europe) discussed how associations of local governments serve as a link between local realities and national or international policy frameworks, ensuring that local needs shape national strategies and that solidarity results in concrete support.

Through the work of national associations, local governments are gaining the tools to plan reconstruction, manage EU-related funds, and implement reforms that bring them closer to European governance standards. These reforms are not only technical but also transformative, strengthening transparency, local democracy, and citizen trust.

The power of decentralisation

Participants emphasised that decentralisation — a cornerstone of democratic governance — has proven vital for Ukraine’s resilience. Empowered local authorities have shown agility in crisis response and are now key actors in rebuilding efforts. The experiences from South-East Europe, shared by the NALAS representative, underscore how regional cooperation and peer learning can help Ukrainian municipalities design effective recovery strategies based on lessons from past post-conflict transitions.

Discussions also highlighted how European and regional networks like PLATFORMA, NALAS, and CEMR play a pivotal role in connecting local governments, sharing expertise, and mobilising coordinated support. Through these partnerships, Ukrainian municipalities are gaining access to knowledge, tools, and advocacy channels that strengthen their position in national decision-making and accelerate local-level reform implementation.

These exchanges demonstrate that rebuilding communities and implementing reforms are collective efforts. Local governments are not only recipients of aid but active partners shaping the future of their countries.

In closing, participants reaffirmed a shared understanding: local governments stand at the forefront of every crisis — whether it be war, natural disaster, or a pandemic. They must therefore be fully included in national and international policy dialogues. Effective multi-level governance, grounded in local ownership and supported by European and global partners, remains essential for sustainable recovery and reform.

This session was moderated by Bella Tskhelishvili, PLATFORMA Adviser – Eastern Partnership and Geographic Dialogues.