On May 26th, 2026, ALDA opened a new office in Kyiv with a participating and connecting event, marking a key moment in ALDA’s longstanding presence in Ukraine.
Led by ALDA’s Secretary General, Antonella Valmorbida and Yuriy Stepanets, ALDA representative in Ukraine, the event – organised at the margin of the Summit of Cities and Regions in Kyiv – saw the presence of ALDA’s partners and members, becoming an inspiring moment to confirm and reinforce the shared commitment towards the support of the Ukrainian people and institutions and towards the reconstruction of the country. The event was also an opportunity to reflect on ALDA’s long-standing engagement in Ukraine through a remarkable photo exhibition retracing key moments and achievements over the years.
Among the ALDA’s members, partners and supporters who took part in the event were: Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk; Vadym Boichenko, Mayor of Mariupol; Tetiana Yehorova-Lutsenko, in representation of the Kharkiv Regional Council; Halyna Shymanska from the Zhytomyr City Council; Yuriy Fomichev, Slavutych Town Council; Matteo Rossi, Mayor of the Bonate Sopra Municipality; Luis Vanella in representation of the Bergamo Municipality; Francesco Pesce from the Embassy of Italy to Ukraine; Valentyna Smachylo, delegate of LDA Kharkiv; Olha Oliinyk, delegate of LDA Vinnytsia; Tetiana Bondarenko from GIZ (U-Lead); Nos Axelle for the French Development Agency (AFD); Olena Ursu, UNDP; Iryna Pelykh, All-Ukrainian Association of Amalgamated Territorial Communities; Yevhen Sytnyk, Public organisation “Congress of Self-Government of Ukraine“; Sasha Tselishcheva, Open Space Works Ukraine; Patrick Molinoz, Région Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (BFC) and member of the European Committee of the Regions and Christian Debève from the Grand Est Region (France).
The opening of the new Ukrainian office in Kyiv represents a focal point for ALDA and its work in the country, reinforcing ALDA’s partnership with the on-site Local Democracy Agencies. In particular, it marks a key landmark for the UA Flagship implementation, which entails ALDA’s active involvement in Ukraine with projects and actions implemented by a special Task Force, established in 2024 and based in Kyiv.
Since 2012, in fact, ALDA has focused on Ukraine’s involvement in transnational cooperation projects on good governance, civic participation, training, and capacity building for local authorities. After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine led by russia, ALDA consolidated and reinforced its efforts in the country, focusing on international advocacy, support to on-site LDAs and humanitarian projects.
The opening of the Kyiv office represents far more than a new point on the map. It is a space for connection, exchange, and empowerment, marking a new milestone in the longstanding relationship between ALDA and Ukraine. By fostering closer cooperation and dialogue, the office will contribute to strengthening local democracy, resilience, and partnerships for the future.