Ukrainian local officials gained hands-on experience in Polish municipalities, turning knowledge into action. Five impactful projects improved waste management, healthcare, senior and youth engagement. This initiative sets a model for future EU-Ukraine municipal cooperation.

Strengthening local governance through international collaboration is essential for Ukraine’s sustainable development and successful EU accession. Recognizing this need, the Solidarity Fund PL (SFPL), in partnership with U-LEAD with Europe, implemented a targeted initiative to enhance the competencies of Ukrainian local governments. The project provided hands-on experience through internships in Polish municipalities, allowing Ukrainian municipal employees to learn best practices, develop strategic solutions, and, eventually, implement projects in their municipalities.

The first stage of the project was focused on building capacity among 25 Ukrainian local government officials by organizing a 7-week internship program in Polish municipalities. At the end of their internships, participants presented 25 project ideas, outlining initiatives they aimed to implement in their municipalities to improve public services, infrastructure, and community engagement.

Building on the success of the internship stage, SFPL with support of U-LEAD extended the initiative by introducing a small project fund for funding of best project ideas. This stage provided Ukrainian municipalities with an opportunity to put their internship experiences into action by developing and executing small-scale projects.

As part of this extension, 25 municipalities were invited to submit project proposals for local initiatives aimed at addressing key community needs. A total of 19 applications were received, and after a thorough evaluation, the five most impactful projects were selected for financial support.

These projects, implemented between February and June 2024, focused on practical, community-driven solutions across different thematic areas:

• Senior engagement in Varash municipality, fostering greater inclusion of elderly residents in municipal activities. This project established a multifunctional social and learning space for seniors, promoting active aging and well-being. Key areas included a sewing workshop, a culinary laboratory, and a physical activity zone to encourage skill-building and interaction. By providing opportunities for learning, creativity, and social engagement, the project helped seniors build new social connections, develop digital skills, maintain an active lifestyle, and improve their overall physical, social, and psychological well-being.
• Improving waste management in Tulchyn municiplaity, enhancing sustainability and environmental practices. This project was designed to enhance waste management practices in Tulchyn municipality by increasing public awareness and encouraging residents to sign contracts and pay for waste collection services. A key focus was developing and carrying out a communication campaign to inform residents about proper waste disposal and encourage responsible waste management practices. To ensure effective waste sorting and recycling, the project included a detailed analysis of the morphological composition of waste, conducted in the spring to assess the types and volumes of waste generated in the municipality. This study provided essential data for optimizing waste collection processes and identifying opportunities for selling sorted recyclables, helping to create a more sustainable and economically viable waste management system.
• Enhancing emergency medical care in Smyha municipality, ensuring better access to life-saving services. This project aimed to improve the quality and accessibility of emergency medical services by addressing key challenges in public health, first aid awareness, and professional training. To implement the project, several essential tasks were carried out. Renovation and interior finishing work were completed for a 131.60 m² space within a designated building in Smyha village, ensuring a functional and accessible environment for medical and social services. The premises were furnished with necessary equipment, furniture, and inventory, including essential household appliances and technological devices such as a projector and screen for training sessions. By fostering collaboration between civil society, local authorities, the medical community, and socially responsible organizations, the project helped protect both physical and mental health in the community. Additionally, it aimed to encourage healthy lifestyles, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, and create conditions for future investments in the development of a social-medical hub – the "Public Health Center."
• Youth involvement in waste management in Poninka municipality, encouraging young people to participate in local sustainability efforts. Planned activities included seminars, experience-sharing sessions, and visits to educational centers, fostering the development of an eco-brand for the municipality led by a youth initiative group. A key component of the project was the creation of 3 designated waste sorting stations, each equipped with a total of 18 bins for plastic, glass, paper, and polyethylene, with a system for recycling and selling these materials. To promote environmental responsibility in schools, 27 additional bins for plastic, glass, and paper waste were provided to three educational institutions. In addition, a specialized waste processing site was set up, featuring a hydraulic press to compact sorted recyclables for further sale. This site enhances the efficiency of waste management operations and supports the municipality’s long-term sustainability efforts.
• Creating youth-friendly space in Sofiivka municiplaity, providing dedicated areas for young people to engage in social and educational activities. The goal of this project was to create an open space for young people to develop their talents, communicate, self-realise, have active recreation and interact with the community and peers. To achieve this ,the project began with the renovation and arrangement of a dedicated space, ensuring a comfortable and functional setting for Youth Council meetings and activities. The space was then equipped with necessary furniture, appliances, and materials, allowing for effective organization of meetings, training sessions, and online learning opportunities. Information campaigns were conducted to promote civic engagement and encourage youth participation, highlighting the importance of community involvement and decision-making. Through dialogues with local authorities and community members, the project strengthened youth participation in decision-making, empowering them to take an active role in local development of their municipality.

These initiatives not only addressed pressing municipal challenges but also reinforced the project’s goal of translating knowledge gained during the internships into tangible improvements in local governance and public services.

To assess and celebrate the overall impact of the initiative, a summary meeting was held on July 30, 2024, bringing together internship graduates, partner organizations, and key stakeholders. This event provided a platform for participants to showcase their projects, share insights, and discuss best practices for municipal cooperation.

Additionally, video materials documenting project activities were produced and published in July 2024, further promoting the lessons learned and successes of the program.

This initiative successfully strengthened municipal cooperation between Ukraine and Poland, equipping Ukrainian local government officials with practical skills and actionable strategies to improve governance and public services. By combining capacity-building with direct project implementation, the program ensured that knowledge was not only gained but actively applied —creating tangible benefits for local communities.

As Ukraine continues its path toward European integration, this model of international municipal collaboration offers a valuable framework for scaling up local governance improvements and fostering stronger ties between Ukrainian and EU municipalities.