Frontline communities in Ukraine are facing the most challenging conditions of war, including daily shelling, infrastructure destruction and an exodus of people and businesses. They are also the first to face the challenges of reconstruction and require special support mechanisms.

On 12 August, the Kharkiv City Council decided to create a Local Association of Local Governments to unite the efforts of these territories. The task of this association will be to establish cooperation between frontline communities and to jointly protect their interests at state level.

Ihor Terekhov, the Mayor of Kharkiv, says that the aim is to create a permanently functioning platform to help coordinate reconstruction, attract investment, and encourage businesses to return to cities that have suffered the most destruction.

‘The association will work to protect the rights and interests of these territories, their recovery, economic development and the return of business. We welcome cooperation and are confident that many regions will be interested in joining this initiative,’ said Ihor Terekhov.

The initiative aligns with the approach of the state authorities: on the instructions of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, a special programme is being prepared to support frontline regions. This programme will provide these communities with specific tools and benefits.

The creation of an association could become an effective tool for advocacy and consolidation of the efforts of local governments, as well as contribute to the formation of a unified voice for frontline cities in dialogue with the Government and international partners.