The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2026) has officially opened in Gdańsk, bringing together international institutions, governments, local authorities and civil society organisations committed to shaping Ukraine’s recovery. Taking place on 25–26 June 2026, the conference provides a key opportunity to strengthen partnerships and advance concrete initiatives that support resilient and democratic local communities.
ALDA is actively participating in this year’s conference, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to supporting local democracy, decentralisation and the recovery of Ukrainian communities through close cooperation with its members and partners. Throughout the two-day event, the Association is engaged in a series of high-level meetings, institutional exchanges and networking opportunities aimed at consolidating existing partnerships and fostering new collaborations for the benefit of local communities across Ukraine.
Alongside these activities, ALDA is also present at the Bridges of Trust stand, which serves as a welcoming space to meet partners, municipalities and stakeholders, showcase ongoing initiatives, and promote dialogue on the crucial role of local governance in Ukraine’s recovery.
Representing ALDA in Gdańsk are Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General, Adrien Licha, Coordinator of the Secretariat, Denys Tkachov, France Network & Partnership Expert, Anastasiia Buslaieva, Ukraine LDAs Coordinator, and Valentyna Smachylo, delegate of the Local Democracy Agency (LDA) Kharkiv. Throughout the conference, the delegation has engaged with numerous institutional representatives and long-standing partners, further strengthening ALDA’s extensive network of cooperation in support of Ukraine.
Among the first strategic exchanges were discussions with representatives of U-LEAD with Europe, including the programme’s new Team Leader Astrid Kohl and Olena Tomniuk, focusing on future collaboration to further empower local authorities throughout Ukraine.
ALDA also held meetings with Jaume Duch, Minister of the European Union and Foreign Action of Catalonia, Serhii Bostan, Deputy of the Chernivtsi City Council, Mathieu Mori, Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Oleksandr Danylenko from UAROR, and Bastian Veigel, former Head of U-LEAD and now part of GIZ’s management team. These exchanges reinforced the importance of coordinated international cooperation in supporting Ukraine’s recovery, strengthening democratic governance and decentralisation, and empowering local authorities to respond to the challenges ahead.
At the Bridges of trust stand, ALDA also welcomed the Director General of Expertise France, representatives of AEGIL, and Viktor Liakh, President of the East Europe Foundation. These encounters provided further opportunities to exchange experiences, identify new avenues for cooperation and strengthen the network of organisations working together for democratic resilience and sustainable local recovery.
Alongside the delegation’s activities, Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, gave an interview for the Shoulder to Shoulder initiative, reflecting on ALDA’s contribution to the programme through its work in facilitating partnerships between European and Ukrainian local authorities. To date, ALDA has played a fundamental role in fostering numerous municipal partnerships that continue to support Ukraine’s recovery and strengthen local resilience. She also met Jakub Mazur, Vice President of Wrocław, to discuss further opportunities for cooperation between European and Ukrainian cities.
ALDA’s participation in URC2026 once again reflects its continuous commitment to supporting Ukraine through strong partnerships, democratic local governance and international cooperation. By working closely with local authorities, civil society and institutional partners, the Association contributes to resilient communities and a sustainable, locally led recovery.