On the Road to URC2025: local and regional dimension
Yesterday, U-LEAD with Europe joined the high-level event “On the Road to URC 2025: Local and Regional Dimension” in Verona, Italy. The event gathered partners from across Europe to highlight the crucial role of Ukrainian hromadas in the recovery and reconstruction process.
Throughout the day, speakers from Ukrainian and European cities, governments, international organizations and development institutions explored:
- How decentralization and governance reforms support Ukraine’s long-term recovery.
- The role of municipalities in driving innovation, investment and economic resilience.
- How the private sector contributes to better services for citizens.
- Why sustainable and green reconstruction is essential for building back better.
As Oleksii Riabykin, Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, reminded the audience:
“Today, when we talk about rebuilding Ukraine, we must start with the strongest resource we have – our municipalities. Ukrainian municipalities are not just administrative units, they are living organisms, the heart of our country, which does not stop even under fire.”
Alona Shkrum, First Deputy Minister, also highlighted the importance of reform and partnership:
“We don’t want the rebuilding of Ukraine to be seen as a charity project – we want it to be a mutually beneficial partnership based on strong economic ties. The ongoing reforms in public investment management, decentralisation, and European integration are a great example of how to move forward.”
U-LEAD contributed to the panel on strengthening services for citizens, sharing perspectives on how local-private cooperation can enhance recovery outcomes on the ground.
Olena Tomniuk, Deputy Director of U-LEAD with Europe, emphasised:
“Ukraine’s recovery is not only about rebuilding physical infrastructure, but also about restoring and improving the essential services people rely on daily – from energy and transport to healthcare and education. These are not abstract goals; they are fundamental elements of trust in institutions.”
The discussion also touched on the future of local self-government. As Prof. Georg Milbradt, former Minister-President of Saxony and long-term supporter of Ukraine’s decentralization reform, stated:
“Ukraine has a network and map of strong and competent municipalities… The next step will be constitutional amendments, which will define, guarantee, and protect local self-government in line with EU standards. That would be the first big step.”
This event marks an important step toward the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome — ensuring that local voices and partnerships remain at the heart of Ukraine’s future 
.
