The European Week of Regions and Cities 2026 has opened in Brussels. Representatives of Ukrainian communities from across the country are taking part.

This was announced by Vitalii Bezgin, Minister for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian delegation held its first meeting with Antje Grotheer, Chair of the European Committee of the Regions’ Working Group on Ukraine. According to the Minister, the communities spoke openly about their needs in the run-up to a difficult winter and amid constant shelling.

‘The most pressing issue is maintaining essential services for people, particularly in the frontline regions. We urgently need Europe’s support in this regard,’ said Vitalii Bezgin.

The Minister named the establishment of the EU–Ukraine Joint Consultative Committee as one of the areas of joint work. It is intended to ensure that local self-government has a permanent place in the dialogue with the European Committee of the Regions. The draft legislation is already under consideration by the Government. Plans are in place to form a delegation, and the first meeting is expected to take place in November.

The Ukrainian party also raises the issue of legal certainty for Ukrainians in the EU and the possibility of returning home.

‘These matters are not mutually exclusive. People return when they have a home and a job to go back to,’ the Minister emphasised.

Within the framework of this cooperation, Ukraine is moving towards the EU strategy for the Carpathian region. European partners are also asked to support work placements and mentoring programmes in EU regions for participants in the “1,000 Project Managers for Communities” initiative.

The preparation for the URC2027 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Tallinn is a separate priority. Local self-government is involved in this conference. According to Vitalii Bezgin, the conference is expected to yield tangible political results and attract new financial resources.

‘I am grateful to Ms Grotheer and our European partners for their solidarity. International support is becoming increasingly important. This is felt most keenly in the communities themselves,’ the Minister concluded.