In the face of immense challenges, resilience and sustainable development have become critical priorities for Ukraine's recovery and future growth. The integration of these principles into municipal strategies will play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and just recovery.

Five ICLEI Member cities—Kalush, Konotop, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, and Vinnytsia—have been selected as Flagship Municipalities in the EU's SUN4Ukraine initiative, part of the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission. This initiative empowers Ukrainian cities to incorporate Climate Neutrality Plans into their recovery strategies, supporting sustainable urban redevelopment amidst the challenges posed by conflict and reconstruction. The selected municipalities will receive tailored expert support, capacity-building programs, and opportunities for knowledge exchange with EU Mission Cities.

Announced during the "State of Local Self-Government: Challenges and Prospects" conference in Kyiv, the selection underscores the commitment of Ukrainian municipalities to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. With 105 cities expressing interest in the initiative, the final selection of 12 Flagship Municipalities highlights the region's ambitious and determined pursuit of sustainable transformation.

To learn more about how ICLEI supports sustainable urban recovery and resilience in Ukraine, explore our ICLEI Ukraine Roadmap. For more discussions on recovery and resilience strategies in conflict-affected regions, join us at the next European Urban Resilience Forum 2024 in Rotterdam (the Netherlands) in June 2025.