The Trostianets municipality in the Sumy region is recovering after the occupation with the help of international partners, including the U-LEAD with Europe Programme.

According to the Ukrinform reporter, this was stated by Yuriy Bova, Mayor of Trostianets, during the Slovakia-Ukraine Local Solidarity Forum that was held online.

“We are grateful for the help provided by U-LEAD with Europe and other foreign partners because, despite all the difficulties, we are not giving up... Every day we do everything to clean, wash, restore and function. In particular, Administrative Service Centres, social services, kindergartens and the hospital are now operational; the railway connection has been restored; three buses run through the city,” he said.

Yuriy Bova also noted that as a result of Russian military actions in the Trostianets municipality, schools, libraries, infrastructure and residential homes were destroyed, and the invaders looted municipal property. The Russian soldiers harassed the local population and tortured people.

"It’s hard for me to say that we saved the municipality because it saw the destruction of many facilities under our care for the last 10-15 years, in particular in the context of decentralisation, which gave us better financial opportunities and powers... About 1000 residential houses in the municipality were damaged, 147 houses were completely destroyed, and 99% of small and medium businesses were devastated,” said the head of the Trostianets municipality.

According to Mr. Bova, rebuilding and restoring infrastructure has the highest priority for Ukraine, but it needs to be done in accordance with European standards. He believes that the Slovak experience will be useful in this context.

“There is no point in restoring obsolete Soviet water supply, sewerage, sewage and many other facilities. They need to be completely rebuilt to European standards, as in Slovakia. Slovak municipalities have experience in this matter, which can be very useful for Ukrainian municipalities,” said Yuriy Bova.

Michal Kaliňák, Secretary of the Council of Experts of the Association of Towns and Municipalities of Slovakia, noted that Slovakia stands in solidarity with Ukraine, and municipalities continue to establish cooperation in various fields to share experiences and mutual assistance.

Viacheslav Nehoda, Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, emphasised that since the beginning of the war, Slovakia has been providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine and supporting our country on the political front. He also urged Slovakia’s businesses to start operating in Ukrainian municipalities.

“In addition to political, moral and humanitarian support, it is very important for Ukrainian municipalities to receive help to support business development and start new businesses. I believe that as a result of such cooperation, many businesses in Slovakia could launch new activities in Ukraine, and this opens new vistas for cooperation,” said the Deputy Minister.

Viacheslav Nehoda also noted that in the context of the destruction of much of the economy and infrastructure in many cities, towns and villages, the task for Ukraine is to develop small and medium-sized businesses so that communities can meet the needs of local people and IDPs and develop the local economy.

According to Xavier Camus, Head of Operations Section – Good Governance and the Rule of Law of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, the European Union will take part in the reconstruction of Ukraine together with the country’s authorities, and in this process, local self-governments on the Ukrainian and European sides will join forces.

“We commend the work of local self-governments, and we are committed to helping you in the future reconstruction,” he said.

According to Bastian Veigel, GIZ Programme Director of U-LEAD with Europe, since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, U-LEAD has been providing support to strengthen community capacities.

“We see the incredible resilience of Ukraine and must do everything to bring Ukraine closer to victory. The resilience of Ukraine shows the resilience of its local self-government at the central, regional and municipality levels,” he said.

In April and May, 250 municipalities in Ukraine received emergency aid from U-LEAD, which was useful in overcoming the effects of hostilities in the municipalities. In particular, generators, lighting fixtures, chainsaws and cutting machines needed for initial repairs related to the aftermath of hostilities were donated to the municipalities. The Programme also provides tents, camp beds, mats, sleeping bags, blankets, 1000 l tanks for drinking water, powerful generators, kits of essentials and hygiene products for shelters. In addition, experts of the Programme advise and provide clarifications on relevant legislation issues and continue to hold information sessions.

U-LEAD with Europe: Ukraine – Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development Programme is co-funded by the EU and its Member States (Germany, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and Slovenia) to support Ukraine in its efforts to strengthen local self-government. U-LEAD promotes transparent, accountable and multilevel governance in Ukraine that meets the needs of citizens and empowers communities.

Region:

Sumy region

Municipalities:

Trostianets municipality

Source:

 

Ukrinform