On September 7, the cities of Algona, Washington, USA, and Kostopil, Rivne Oblast, Ukraine, embarked on a significant new chapter by signing a cooperation agreement. The signing of the memorandum was the result of fruitful work and negotiations supported by the USAID Governance and Local Accountability (HOVERLA) Activity.

This cooperation marks a significant milestone, symbolizing unity and collaboration across continents. Focus areas will include knowledge transfer, the promotion of best practices, municipal entrepreneurship, and cultural exchanges.

“The city of Algona is proud today to sign an agreement with our new friends and colleagues in Kostopil. Our partnership creates opportunities for both the citizens and city officials. We look forward to learning from each other and sharing new ideas and experiences to further advance economic and cultural relationships,” said Algona Mayor Troy Linnell.

"For our city, it is crucial to seek reliable partners and allies in developed countries during these times. I want to thank everyone involved in preparing the memorandum from both the American side and ours. It was a pleasure to meet the mayor and exchange management experiences even before the signing. This is an important step toward strengthening international cooperation," stated Kostopil Acting Mayor David Didukh.

The cooperation agreement will contribute to dynamic and fruitful relations between Algona and Kostopil, benefiting the people of both cities. HOVERLA will support the implementation of this partnership, emphasizing knowledge transfer, innovation, best practices, municipal entrepreneurship, and exchanges.