On 22 January, Ukraine marks the Unity of Ukraine Day, commemorating the Act of Unification of 1919, when Eastern and Western Ukraine formally declared their unity. This historic moment affirmed a shared vision of independence, solidarity, and a common destiny—values that continue to resonate deeply more than a century later.
While the Act of Unification stands as a powerful historical symbol, unity in Ukraine has never been confined to the past. Today, unity is not only remembered; it is practised daily. It takes shape through local action, civic engagement, and democratic governance, especially in times of profound challenge.
Unity, in this sense, is inseparable from local democracy. It is built where communities organise, where local authorities respond to citizens’ needs, and where civil society strengthens trust and participation.
On Ukraine Unity Day, unity is not understood as an abstract concept, but as an ongoing process—one that is continuously nurtured at the local level.
Across the country, the work of the Local Democracy Agencies (LDAs) in Ukraine demonstrates how unity becomes tangible. Through cooperation between regions, solidarity among municipalities, and dialogue between citizens and institutions, LDAs contribute to strengthening democratic resilience even under the most difficult circumstances. These efforts show that unity is not uniformity, but collaboration rooted in diversity, proximity, and shared responsibility.
The legacy of the 1919 Act reminds us that unity is a powerful source of resilience. Ukraine’s strength today lies in people standing together—locally and nationally—transforming unity into collective action, resistance, and mutual support. Communities continue to prove that cohesion and democratic values can endure, even in the face of adversity.
For ALDA, unity means standing alongside local communities and supporting democratic governance where it matters most: at the local level. It means contributing to recovery processes that are inclusive, participatory, and rooted in local needs and capacities. ALDA’s engagement in Ukraine reflects a long-term commitment to empowering communities and reinforcing local democracy as a cornerstone of resilience and reconstruction.
Unity today also transcends borders. It is reflected in the shared commitment between Ukraine and Europe, and in the continued solidarity linking European institutions, local authorities, and civil society organisations with Ukrainian partners. This transnational unity reinforces the idea that democracy and peace are collective responsibilities.
On Unity of Ukraine Day, one message stands clear: unity lives where people act together. It is built every day, locally, through democratic participation, cooperation, and trust—and it remains one of Ukraine’s greatest strengths, now and for the future.