Chuhuiv, a city in Kharkiv region with a 400-year history, has been mercilessly shelled by Russia from the first days of the full-scale invasion. As of May 2023, more than 50% of residential buildings and more than seven hundred private houses need reconstruction.

“On February 24, at five in the morning, life changed fundamentally... Those were very scary moments. When I arrived at the place where the first rocket fell, I couldn't believe that it wasn't some kind of looking glass,” recalls Halyna Minayeva, head of the Chuguyiv City Military Administration.

According to her, the municipality was not left alone with the horrors of war. Municipality residents were the first to come to help. All those who did not flee helped to remove the debris, prepare food, and clean the apartments from the rubble. Not a single utility company of the hromada has suspended its activities.

“Even after massive shellings, emergency crews arrived immediately. Thanks to everyone working to ensure the bare necessities, we didn't have a complete blackout.”

The residents of Chuhuiv also received support from the international partners, whose projects the municipality actively participated in before February 24.

“We were very pleased that the partners from U-LEAD with Europe did not leave us alone when the war started. True friends stand with us in times of trial,” says Halyna Minayeva.

U-LEAD with Europe helped to set up invincibility points, temporary shelters, provided humanitarian aid to vulnerable population. And in May 2023, within the framework of the Bridges of Trust project, implemented by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) together with the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) with the support of U-LEAD with Europe, a study trip of Ukrainian hromadas to Latvian municipalities took place.

“From the very beginning, we tried very hard to help our friends. The information that can be learnt and exchanged with partners is certainly invaluable and will be useful for our joint work in the future,” assures Gints Kaminskis, Head of Latvian Associaltion of Local Governments.

Meeting at the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Self-Government Bodies. Riga. 09.05.23

As part of the cooperation in-between Chuhuiv and Kuldiga municipalities, it is planned to implement energy efficiency, educational and local business development projects.

“The goal of our project is for the municipalities to develop a specific draft application that can be submitted for financing and subsequently fund the restoration of the Ukrainian hromada. Ukrainian municipalities cannot participate directly in some competitions. And in this, their cooperation with Latvia will be particularly beneficial,” explains Nataliya Lazarenko, Manager of International Activities of the AUC.

Thus, a year before the full-scale invasion, Chuhuiv municipality signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the municipality of Kuldiga. Today, a small town in the west of Latvia has become a temporary home for almost 200 Ukrainians:

“I am convinced that we will share our strengths in the field of culture, municipal activities, the environment, education, tourism,” says Inesa Astasevska, Mayor of Kuldiga municipality.

Head of Chuhuiv city military administration, Halyna Minayeva, is convinced that, together with her partners, she will do everything possible and impossible in order to rebuild, fix, and create good conditions for people's lives and for business development.

“I dream that all our municipality residents return to their homes, to their peaceful lives. And I am sure that with U-LEAD with Europe’s support, after the victory, our hromada will be even better”.

Representatives of the Ukrainian delegation at the Solidarity Forum. Riga. 08.05.23