Local self-government during wartime involves more than just maintaining stability at the rear; it also contributes to technological superiority at the front. Khmelnytskyi urban community embodies this approach in practice.

The community has approved a Grant Support Programme for Innovative Projects to Enhance Ukraine’s Defence Capabilities for 2026–2027, with total funding of UAH 32 million from the community budget.

This is not a brand new experiment – the programme has already been implemented and has produced tangible results. Thanks to grant funding, military units have received hexacopters, ground robotic systems, repeaters, radio-electronic reconnaissance equipment and other technical solutions necessary for combat missions. Meanwhile, the community supports Ukrainian developers and inventors by providing them with the resources to bring their ideas to life.

The Programme covers three key areas:

• development and upgrading of software;
• manufacture of equipment and specialised gear;
• development of electronic components, devices, and mechanisms to improve the effectiveness of combat operations.

The decision-making model deserves special attention. Once projects have been submitted to the economic department, they are reviewed by a special commission consisting mainly of military personnel. The commission assesses the practical value of the developments and determines which ones are worth funding. This approach brings innovations as close as possible to the real needs of the front line.

The experience of Khmelnytskyi shows that communities can be more than just donors of aid; they can also play an active role in developing defence technologies. It demonstrates how instruments of local democracy and budgetary autonomy can work together towards a common goal: strengthening the country’s defence capabilities.