On 29 April 2026, ALDA contributed to the II International Cohesion Forum in Kyiv, Ukraine, a key high-level event bringing together international and local actors to advance cohesion and resilience as pillars of Europe’s future.
ALDA was represented by Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, alongside Yuriy Stepanets, ALDA Representative in Ukraine, together with Olha Oliinyk, Delegate of the LDA Vinnytsia Region. Through their participation, ALDA reaffirmed its active role in strengthening local democracy and multi-level governance in Ukraine, contributing to both recovery and the broader European integration process.
Cohesion and resilience at the core of Europe’s future
Initiated by the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, the Forum brought together over 500 participants, including representatives of local and regional authorities, government officials, international organisations, civil society actors, and community leaders. Organised within the framework of the EU4Recovery initiative, a flagship partnership between the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, the event builds on the success of its first edition in April 2025 and continues to serve as a key platform aligning national and international stakeholders around a shared vision of cohesion as a cornerstone of Ukraine’s resilience.
Under the central theme “Cohesion and resilience as key drivers of Europe’s future,” the Forum highlighted the fundamental role of coordinated governance, inclusive development, and international cooperation in addressing current challenges. It also featured the signing of memoranda of cooperation, an official award ceremony recognising outstanding communities.
ALDA’s contribution and recognition at the Forum
Within the Forum, Antonella Valmorbida took part in the panel discussion “Ukraine in Global Partnerships,” alongside high-level Ukrainian institutional representatives. The exchange underscored the crucial role of international cooperation and multi-level governance in ensuring effective recovery processes and fostering long-term democratic resilience.
ALDA’s presence went beyond participation. During the event, the organisation was acknowledged at the highest institutional level as a well-structured and reliable actor in supporting local good governance in Ukraine. In this context, Antonella Valmorbida presented a strategic document, opening the door to meaningful dialogue with a wide range of partners and organisations and reinforcing ALDA’s position as a key facilitator of cooperation.
Notably, ALDA was the only European association represented at the Forum—further highlighting its unique role and longstanding commitment in the country. This recognition reflects the organisation’s continuous efforts to strengthen local governance ecosystems, empower communities, and foster partnerships between Ukrainian and European stakeholders.
“We are proud to see ALDA recognised as a trusted partner in Ukraine at such a high institutional level,” stated Antonella Valmorbida. “Our participation in the Forum was not only an opportunity to share our experience, but also to reaffirm our commitment to supporting Ukrainian local authorities and communities. Through our network, tools, and expertise, we aim to contribute concretely to resilience, recovery, and the strengthening of democratic governance, while further promoting strong and coordinated European partnerships.”
Building partnerships “Shoulder to Shoulder”
In addition to its institutional engagement, ALDA actively facilitated concrete cooperation between European and Ukrainian local authorities. Within the framework of the Ukrainian flagship initiative “Shoulder to Shoulder: Cohesive Communities,” ALDA engaged partner municipalities Thiene and Zugliano, which agreed to establish partnerships with Ukrainian municipalities from both the eastern and western regions of the country.
The initiative, led by the Government of Ukraine, aims to strengthen unity, resilience, and cooperation among local communities in the context of recovery and reconstruction. It promotes direct partnerships between Ukrainian and European municipalities, fostering solidarity-based collaboration and mutual support.
The Mayor of Zugliano, Sandro Maculan, and the representative of the Municipality of Thiene Marina Maino, were present at the Forum, marking a significant step towards long-term cooperation.
Within this framework:
- The Municipality of Zugliano established partnerships with:
- Yavornytska Territorial Community (represented by Dmytro Ekzarkhov, Settlement Head)
- Kalush Territorial Community (represented by Andrii Naida, Head of the Urban Territorial Community)
- The Municipality of Thiene established partnerships with:
- Shevchenkivska Territorial Community (represented by Oleh Pylypenko, Village Head)
- Korosten Territorial Community (represented by Volodymyr Moskalenko, Mayor)
These partnerships represent a concrete example of decentralised cooperation, reinforcing links between communities and contributing to Ukraine’s recovery through peer-to-peer collaboration.
The II International Cohesion Forum once again demonstrated the critical role of collaboration across all levels of governance in addressing complex challenges and building a resilient future. For ALDA, the event represents another important step in strengthening its contribution to Ukraine’s recovery and its path towards European integration.
ALDA protagonist of the European 3rd Pillar
ALDA is actively contributing to Pillar 3 of the EU’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility, which focuses on accession-related support through capacity building, technical assistance, and the strengthening of governance systems. Through its long-standing expertise in local democracy, participatory governance, and project cycle management, ALDA supports local, regional, and national authorities, as well as civil society organisations, in enhancing their capacity to implement reforms, manage EU-funded programmes, and align with EU standards and the acquis.
This engagement builds on ALDA’s role in the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025, where the organisation coordinated the local and regional dimension, highlighting the importance of decentralisation, good governance, and community resilience in Ukraine’s recovery. By fostering multi-level governance and inclusive decision-making processes, ALDA contributes to advancing Ukraine’s EU integration path and ensuring that recovery efforts are firmly grounded in democratic principles, accountability, and citizen participation.