The Polaris Programme, “Support to Multilevel Governance in Ukraine,” invites hromadas and clusters of hromadas to take part in a mentorship programme on international municipal cooperation implemented by the Cities4Cities initiative.

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Over the period of 10 months (September 2026 – June 2027), 10 hromadas or clusters of hromadas will receive support in developing project ideas, strengthening international communications and establishing contacts with European municipalities and institutions.

The aim of Cities4Cities Mentorship is to help hromadas develop international municipal cooperation systematically and use it as a tool for local development.

Applications are open from 15 July to 10 August 2026.

Support includes:

• Individual mentoring support, including the development of an international cooperation roadmap;
• Expert consultations and training on European integration, project management, and international communications;
• Support from an international communications mentor, including defining the hromadas positioning for international audiences and preparing an English-language profile, a hromada presentation, public speaking materials and, where needed, basic communication materials;
• Support in preparing at least one international project concept;
• An opportunity to participate in at least one in-person international event to build partnerships and establish professional contacts;
• Participation in closed-door meetings with representatives of European associations, programmes and EU institutions, as well as support in preparing for these meetings;
• Access to a community of hromadas and municipalities that are actively developing international cooperation.

Participants will work with mentors at least twice a month, develop a roadmap to strengthen international cooperation, and implement the tasks identified in it. Active involvement of the hromadas leadership, relevant deputy heads, and the team responsible for international cooperation is an essential requirement.

Selected hromadas will sign a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Polaris Programme.

Which hromadas can apply?

Cities4Cities Mentorship is aimed primarily at hromadas that are in the process of establishing or relaunching an international programme and are ready to work systematically and implement changes.

Applications are open to hromadas with a population of up to 50,000 from all regions of Ukraine, except temporarily occupied territories and areas where active hostilities are taking place. Applications may also be submitted by clusters of hromadas — groups of several hromadas that are implementing or planning to implement joint projects. A cluster may include neighbouring hromadas as well as hromadas from different regions of Ukraine that already have experience of working together.

Only hromadas that have not received comparable mentoring support from other international technical assistance projects may

Hromadas and clusters of hromadas submitting an application are expected to:

• Have a designated person or team responsible for international cooperation that would benefit from professional capacity-building;
• Ensure that at least one member of the team working with international partners has English language proficiency at B1 level or above;
• Have clearly defined development priorities and understand how international cooperation can contribute to achieving them;
• Include at least one team member who, at the time of application, has completed the course “Municipal Partnerships for European Integration” and received a certificate;
• Be at an early stage of developing international partnerships: have no international partners, have inactive partnerships, or only be beginning the search for partners;
• Monitor international calls and funding programmes and seek to build their own track record in securing grants;
• Be ready for systematic work and the implementation of change.

How to apply?

Apply on the Polaris Programme website using this link. Applications are open until 10 August 2026.

An online information session on how to apply and the available support will take place on 22 July, from 10:00 to 12:00. Register for the session using this link by 15:00 on 21 July.

Key dates:

• 22 July, 10:00–12:00 — online information session via Zoom. Registered participants will receive the link;
• 10 August, 23:59 — application deadline;
• 15–23 August — interviews with shortlisted hromadas;
• 1 September — announcement of results;
• 9–11 September — start of the mentorship programme and a training seminar in Ivano-Frankivsk.