Vinnytsia and the Region Signed an Agreement with European Partners on the Establishment and Main Activities of the Local Democracy Agency in Vinnytsia

Representatives of Vinnytsia spoke at a panel discussion organized by ALDA at the Regional Council of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in Dijon. The event discussed the role of cities and decentralized cooperation in EU integration.

“On behalf of the entire community, I thanked the French Republic and its great people for their unwavering and steadfast support of Ukraine in our fight against the aggressor! France is our strategic partner not only in the fight, but also in development. It is important to use not only the central level of cooperation, but also the inter-municipal and inter-regional level. As a result, this will speed up Ukraine's recovery in the postwar period. The world needs to hear Ukraine and understand our interests, and we, in turn, need to be grateful, use the opportunities we are given correctly, and, of course, work according to the rules of democratic European countries. Such cooperation is becoming even more relevant now, with Ukraine's acquisition of the EU candidate status,“, – believes Vladyslav Skalskyi.

Vinnytsia residents had an official meeting with the leadership of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. As a result, the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, Dijon Metropolis, Vinnytsia Region, and the cities of Vinnytsia and Barcelona signed a partnership agreement with the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) on the establishment and main activities of the Local Democracy Agency in Vinnytsia.

According to the document, the agreement between the partners for Vinnytsia region aims to:

• promote the development of local democracy, facilitate the development of decentralized territorial communities and decentralized international cooperation
• strengthen good governance;
• support cooperation on joint projects;
• develop an inclusive environment;
• improve sustainable waste management;
• promote the digitalization of communities and the modernization of local government;
• promote the development of sustainable entrepreneurship, including social entrepreneurship, in communities;
• support the principles of gender equality and women's empowerment;
• support IDPs and other vulnerable social groups affected by the war;
• assist in the rehabilitation of veterans and their families;
• support youth initiatives, exchanges and cooperation in sports.

Patrick Molinoz, Vice-President of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, said: “The signing of this agreement is a significant step in structuring the long-term support for Ukraine from our region and the city of Dijon. After the support in the war, it will be time to restore and consolidate Ukraine in the European Union. In this way, the region is providing its support for the long term“.