On the occasion of Local Self-Government Day, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy established the honorary award ‘Rescue Communities’.

According to the Presidential Decree, this award recognises Ukrainian communities whose residents provide humanitarian protection and other types of assistance to frontline communities and defence forces. It also recognises those who participate in strengthening the state’s defence capabilities in repelling the russian federation’s armed aggression against Ukraine and who provide other significant support in defending Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.

‘The “Rescue Community” award is a token of gratitude for these daily efforts. The country recognises the contribution of communities that work in challenging circumstances to provide people with the support they need. Every community has its own stories of difficult decisions, assistance, cooperation and care for people, and it is these stories that make up the country’s resilience. Every day, our people demonstrate unity and solidarity by standing shoulder to shoulder with those affected by war. I would like to thank everyone who works in communities and local self-government,’ said Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration – Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.