Between 24 and 26 February 2026, Antonella Valmorbida, Secretary General of ALDA, conducted an institutional mission to Ukraine, reaffirming the organisation’s long-term commitment to strengthening local democracy and supporting the country’s recovery as well as discussing the strategy for 2026.
Taking place on the fourth anniversary of the brutal full-scale Russian invasion, the mission carried strong symbolic and political significance. It underscored the importance of sustained international engagement and reinforced ALDA’s role as a structured and reliable actor in Ukraine’s democratic resilience. The visit aimed to consolidate existing cooperation frameworks, advance the strategic development of Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs), and ensure coherence and continuity across ongoing and future initiatives.
Throughout the mission, ALDA engaged with institutional representatives and civil society actors to align priorities for 2026 and gather operational insights to inform implementation.
The positive feedback received in Rivne, confirmed the relevance of ALDA’s approach and the added value of its locally rooted yet internationally connected model.
The first day focused on Kyiv’s institutional and civil society landscape. Discussions with U-LEAD with Europe confirmed the continuation of cooperation and explored strategic synergies. A working session with NGOs and international partners further strengthened coordination efforts. Exchanges with representatives from Ternopil highlighted ongoing civil society mobilisation, while discussions regarding Slavutych advanced the structured exploration of a potential LDA. Representatives of MEAN also confirmed their readiness to contribute to LDA Kharkiv and in other cities of Ukraine where they are also operational.
Meetings with the All-Ukrainian Association and the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils (UAROR) expanded reflections on the geographical scope of future LDA development, including eastern regions and potential engagement in other cities (in particular in front regions) and regions. A dedicated exchange with the Independent Civic Network of Press Clubs of Ukraine (Ukrainian Press Club Association) shed light on the challenges faced by local journalists, reaffirming the importance of protecting independent media as a pillar of democratic resilience.
On the second day, institutional dialogue continued in Kyiv. Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, Oleksii Riabykin, expressed clear interest in supporting ALDA’s initiatives. Meetings with the Italian and French Ambassadors reaffirmed both countries’ structured commitment to Ukraine’s recovery and the interest in working with ALDA and its members.
Operational discussions with LDA delegates advanced recruitment and training plans, with upcoming capacity-building activities focusing on advocacy, partnership governance and project management. Exchanges with Team4EU identified potential complementarities in areas such as support to internally displaced persons and energy resilience.
The final day was dedicated to Rivne, where ALDA assessed local priorities and the strategic conditions for establishing a new LDA. The Regional Council presented its development focus on social services and key economic sectors, including wood and textiles. The discussions confirmed a strong alignment between local priorities and ALDA’s methodology. Preparatory steps now include the development of an action plan and detailed project fiche for LDA Rivne, alongside structured engagement with European municipalities.
The mission reaffirmed ALDA’s role as a committed and strategic partner in Ukraine, strengthening structured local engagement and contributing to the country’s democratic resilience and long-term reconstruction through sustained, coordinated and values-based action.