Strengthening Municipal Capacity Is the Key to Ukraine's Green Recovery and EU Integration

On 26 June, as part of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026, the event “Strengthening Municipal Capacity to Respond to the EU Integration Process within the Recovery Process” brought together stakeholders to discuss the role of Ukrainian municipalities in advancing green recovery and delivering on the European climate agenda.

The event was co-organized by the Ukrainian Climate Office, Covenant of Mayors East, and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, with the support of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine and the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine.

Participants stressed that Ukraine’s recovery and its integration into the European Union should be viewed as a single transformational process, with capable municipalities at its core.

Representatives of local communities identified three major barriers currently hindering green recovery: limited human and institutional capacity, restricted access to international financing due to complex donor requirements, and insufficient capacity to develop high-quality, investment-ready projects that meet international standards and financing requirements.

During the panel discussion, participants explored the alignment of Ukraine’s climate legislation with the EU acquis, the development of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and carbon financing mechanisms, the integration of nature-based solutions and green infrastructure into the recovery process, and the preparedness of municipalities to implement European climate and environmental requirements.

Particular attention was given to the need for investment in human capital, strengthening the institutional capacity of municipalities, building the skills of municipal climate managers and project teams, and creating the conditions necessary for developing high-quality investment projects. Participants also underlined that climate resilience must be integrated into every stage of recovery planning and implementation.

During the event, the Ukrainian Climate Office presented the results of its ongoing work to strengthen Ukraine’s climate governance architecture and outlined its future priorities. The UCO will continue supporting national authorities and local governments in aligning legislation with EU requirements, advancing climate policy, mobilising sustainable finance, preparing investment projects, and strengthening institutional capacity.

Participants concluded that achieving Ukraine’s green recovery and successful European integration will require sustained cooperation among national authorities, municipalities, European institutions, international financial organizations, and development partners. Strengthening municipal capacity and developing high-quality investment projects will be decisive for the successful implementation of the European Green Deal in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Climate Office is co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, under its International Climate Initiative (IKI), and European Union, and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ GmbH).