Established in 2015, the Local Democracy Agency (LDA) in the Dnipropetrovsk Region represents the very first LDA in the Country, as a platform for dialogue and regional development in terms of culture, society and economy. Yet, the current Russian invasion of Ukraine urged a further push for international cooperation in support to local actions, as also emerged in the online meeting, that took place among ALDA, the LDA Dnipro Representative and the Chairman of the Regional Council.
As stressed by Mr. Mykola Lukashuk – Chairman of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council – and considering the geographical location of the region, the latter welcomes 400,000 Internally Displaced People (IDP) without counting those unregistered so far. Besides, the region is also serving as a supply hub for those on the frontline. Therefore, coherently with the circumstance above-mentioned and aiming at providing support, Анжелика Пилипенко, Director Local Democracy Agency of Dnipropetrovsk region, illustrated the current initiatives, such as “PHOENIX” project, which are addressing the IDP especially as far as the psychological and social rehabilitation assistance concerns, as well as support to servicemen and families.
“I am grateful to our partners for their help. It would be advisable to hold a large conference and invite both representatives of Dnipropetrovsk communities and foreign partners" - Mykola Lukashuk
Backing up to the LDA actions, Antonella Valmorbida – Secretary General of ALDA – further stressed the commitment of the Association in strengthening the existing LDAs in Ukraine (both Dnipro and Mariupol), while working for the opening on new ones in Vinnytsa, Odesa, Kharkiv, Bucha, Mykolaiv and Rivne. Furthermore, precisely, three European regions, namely Nordrhein Westfalen (Germany); Hautes de France and Normandie (France), are interested in joining a coalition to support the LDA Dnipro, since “your country is now defending the entire democratic world” – stressed Ms. Valmorbida, and “European partners are planning to help Dnipropetrovsk Region and other regions of Ukraine both now and in the post-war reconstruction”.
Overall, this latter possibility of international cooperation was welcomed by the Council, as expressed in the positive word of Mr. Mykola Lukashuk: “I am grateful to our partners for their help. This is just the beginning. To expand cooperation, it would be advisable to hold a large conference and invite both representatives of Dnipropetrovs’k communities and foreign partners”.
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The meeting took place online on 09.03.2023, with:
- Mykola Lukashuk – Chairman of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council
- Arina Pustova – Member of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, humanitarian aid coordinator for the DP Region
- Anzhelika Pylypenko, Director Local Democracy Agency of Dnipropetrovsk region
- Antonella Valmorbida – Secretary General of ALDA
- Alexandru Coica – EaP and Central Asia Coordinator ALDA
- Bartek Ostrowski – Consultant for LDAs development in Ukraine ALDA