- Articles
On 12 October 2026, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF), the Ukrainian National Platform of the EaP CSF, the Resource and Analysis Centre “Society and Environment”, the Local Economic Development Agency of the Yavoriv District and the Lviv Bureau of European Integration jointly organised a closed-door discussion in Brussels.
The event brought together Ukrainian mayors, civil society representatives and European partners to exchange perspectives on the local dimension of Ukraine’s European integration and recovery.
The discussion highlighted the following key messages:
- EU integration is taking shape at the local level. Territorial communities play a key role in translating European standards and reforms into improved public services, investment opportunities and tangible benefits for citizens.
- Cooperation should be a two-way exchange. Ukrainian communities need access to EU programmes, expertise and funding. At the same time, their experience of resilience, crisis management, recovery and maintaining public services amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression offers valuable lessons for partners.
- EU integration, recovery and local development must go hand in hand. Aligning reconstruction with EU standards and local development strategies requires not only financial resources, but also stronger local capacities to develop, implement and manage investment projects effectively.
The discussion benefited from the practical insights of Ukrainian mayors Andrii Naida, Borys Karpus, Vitalii Freiak and Bohdan Kelichavyi, as well as Yuliia Katynska, Director of the Lviv Bureau of European Integration.
Contributions from Bertrand Waucquez, Mayor of Kraainem; Christian Larsen of the Ukraine Service at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST); and Mark Adams of Nova Ukraine brought additional local, EU and civil society perspectives to the exchange.
Iryna Kuropas, National Facilitator of the Ukrainian National Platform of the EaP CSF, delivered the concluding remarks, highlighting the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation to advance European integration and recovery at the local level. The discussion was moderated by Nataliya Andrusevych, Chair of the Governing Board of the Resource and Analysis Centre “Society and Environment” and Coordinator of the EaP CSF Working Group on Environment, Climate, Energy.
The EaP CSF remains committed to supporting the Ukrainian National Platform and its members in advancing Ukraine’s EU integration and recovery efforts, strengthening their engagement with EU institutions and fostering cooperation between civil society, local authorities and European partners.
