On August 10, 2023, the Ukrainian city of Trostyanets, Sumy Oblast, and the American city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, signed an agreement on the establishment of partnership relations. The established partnership will promote cultural exchange, knowledge transfer and economic cooperation between the communities of the two cities. The USAID HOVERLA Activity supported communities in establishing partnerships.

“Today is a momentous occasion as we gather here virtually to celebrate the official signing of an agreement on the establishment of partnership relations between Trostyanets and Chattanooga. People in Ukraine and the United States, in Trostyanets and Chattanooga, share something very important: love of country, love of independence, love of democracy. And today more than ever, we know that freedom is not free. Ukraine is fighting for its freedom and independence every day. During these especially challenging times for Ukraine, it is also crucial to emphasize the unyielding support and solidarity of the American people and the freedom-loving people everywhere. In the face of adversity, we stand alongside the people of Ukraine offering our steadfast commitment and assistance. We recognize the resilience and determination of Ukrainian people in their pursuit of a free and democratic country. Today, we begin what will be a long and important partnership between Trostyanets and Chattanooga. May this sister cities relationship flourish as you grid life into it today. May it create a critical lifelong bond of fraternity and create a lifelong legacy for generations to come,” said the Director of the Office of Democracy and Governance of the USAID Mission to Ukraine Mark Ellingstad.

The focus of the partnership between the cities of Trostyanets and Chattanooga will be the exchange of culture and knowledge, innovations, and entrepreneurship, as well as economic cooperation.

“The city of Chattanooga is honored to sign the agreement on the establishment of partnership relations with the Trostyanets city. We are looking forward to a long fruitful relationship and cultural exchange between our cities as the spirit of our cities is extremely similar. Today is a joyful occasion for us even in the middle of war in Ukraine. We hope this partnership will also support the community of Trostyanets to rebuild the city,” said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly.

“The cities of Trostyanets and Chattanooga are separated by thousands of kilometers, but we are extremely happy to initiate our cooperation. We aspire to establish a partnership in various fields, including the economy, management, culture and tourism, education, healthcare, and many others. Trostyanets is one of the cities that suffered greatly from the Russian occupation of the Sumy region. I am incredibly grateful to Mayor Tim Kelly, who, along with his colleagues, has extended the helping hand of the American people, offering assistance through knowledge, experience, and technology to expedite the reconstruction of Ukraine and the city of Trostyanets. Today, we are not only signing a partnership agreement, but we are also actively collaborating to improve the city of Trostyanets. Our partners have provided us with a vision for the development of Chattanooga's parks, and we aim to adopt their best practices in this regard. This is just one example of our cooperation, and I am confident that our collaboration will deepen further, encompassing a significant number of mutually beneficial projects,” Trostyanets Mayor Yuriy Bova emphasized.

The agreement on the establishment of partnership relations between Trostyanets and Chattanooga will contribute to dynamic and fruitful relations between the two cities and the peoples of both countries.