Strengthening Local Governance and Regional Development in Ukraine in Cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe

Our expert team began implementation of a new project in Ukraine under U-LEAD with Europe – Phase III to support decentralisation and regional development. This project builds on our cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe in previous phases and reflects continuity in technical support to one of Europe’s most far-reaching decentralisation reforms. 

Through U-LEAD with Europe, the European Union and its Member States – Germany, Poland, Denmark, France, and Slovenia – support Ukraine in strengthening local self-government, multi-level governance, and regional development, with the objective of improving public service delivery and living conditions for citizens.

Under the project “Technical Assistance for Support to Ukraine for Decentralisation and Regional Development”, our expert team will support the U-LEAD Phase III implementation structure. Acting as the Decentralisation & Regional Development Expertise & Support Team, we provide policy advice, legislative and analytical support, and technical inputs at national level, including in the context of EU accession negotiations under Chapter 22 (Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments) of the EU acquis.

At regional and municipal level, the team supports capacity development for the implementation of regional and local development strategies, reconstruction planning, and fund management. This includes training, peer learning, participatory planning approaches, and assistance in the preparation of investment projects that meet transparency requirements and are linked to national, European, and international financing instruments.

Ukraine’s decentralisation reform has strengthened the role of more than 1,400 municipalities and remains central to recovery efforts and the EU integration process. Through our continued engagement in Phase III, we contribute to aligning regional development policy with EU cohesion principles and to strengthening a multi-level governance system capable of delivering recovery and supporting Ukraine’s path toward EU membership.