Vinnytsia and Dijon-Metropole (France) Have Become Partners within the European Initiative SUN4Ukraine

Vinnytsia City Territorial Community is one of 12 flagship Ukrainian municipalities that have entered into bilateral partnerships with EU Mission Cities under the Sustainable Network of Climate Neutral Cities for Ukraine (SUN4Ukraine) programme. Dijon-Metropole (France) has become our community's partner in achieving these goals. Over the next year and a half, the partner cities will actively exchange experiences in the development of renewable energy, urban mobility, adaptation to global environmental changes caused by human activity and damage resulting from war. This cooperation will result in the development of a Climate Neutrality Plan for Vinnytsia.

The programme initiators selected partners for Ukrainian cities from among European cities based on their needs and strengths, taking into account similarities in size, administrative structure, industrial profile, climate goals and existing relevant connections, all with consideration for the realities of reconstruction during the war with russia.

'It is very gratifying that Dijon has become Vinnytsia's partner in the SUN4Ukraine initiative. Let us recall that we began to develop horizontal ties with this French metropolis back in 2019, before the war. Our friendship has been tested by war – since the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion, Dijon has actively supported us. This included financial assistance, humanitarian aid, and help with the rehabilitation of soldiers and recreation for children. And this May, we officially cemented our partnership within the framework of a four-party Memorandum of Understanding between Vinnytsia and Dijon, as well as between the Vinnytsia region and the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. We have reached an agreement on cooperation in many areas: industry, education, medicine, ecology,' said Vladyslav Skalskyy, Deputy Mayor of Vinnytsia. ‘The new partnership with Dijon, which is participating in the EU's “100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities” mission, will undoubtedly be a new chapter in strengthening our ties and a platform for exchanging experiences and finding solutions necessary for sustainable and lasting change for the benefit of the community and the country as a whole.’

André Sobczak, Secretary General of Eurocities, expressed his admiration for the resilience of Ukrainians and their willingness to work for the future despite the difficult times.

'Ukrainian cities are resilient. Ukrainian cities are determined. Ukrainian cities strive to improve the lives of their residents,‘ said André Sobczak. ’They are not only enduring bombing and destruction, but also planning a European future based on peace, democracy and climate neutrality.'

Olha Remeshevska, Director of the Department of Restoration and Development of Vinnytsia City Council, noted the significant role of the EU in strengthening Ukraine, which once again demonstrates its solidarity by expressing its readiness to support our municipalities.

'Vinnytsia, among the flagship municipalities, will work with the EU Mission to develop know-how on clean energy, sustainable mobility, reducing human impact on the environment and improving the ecological environment. Thanks to such decisions, sustainability and climate neutrality will become the basis for Ukraine's reconstruction,' said Olha Remeshevska.

The EU's Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission has an extremely ambitious goal. To transform 100 cities into climate-neutral ones. These cities will become the innovative hubs that will help Europe achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

You can find out more here: https://www.sun4ukraine.eu/home