The future of Ukraines cities - transformation through radical collaboration.

Urban centers in Ukraine are at the forefront of addressing both the challenges and the opportunities associated with reimagining socio-economic and cultural recovery and renewal. As key drivers of change, these cities are essential arenas for transformative initiatives. The Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG) Initiative, led by the EU and UNDP, connects over 200 Ukrainian cities, including Lviv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Trostianets, and many more, in a shared mission to navigate new paths of economic development that respects people and planetary limits while managing ongoing crises.
Through a mission-oriented innovation strategy, the M4EG has collaborated with over 20 cities across Ukraine in recent years. This partnership has showcased the vital role that international actors can play in bolstering the resilience and renewal of urban centers, by reinforcing their inherent systemic capacities to adapt and thrive. The networking event will serve as a platform to recognize and celebrate these pioneering efforts of Ukrainian cities and the innovative experiments conducted under complex and dynamic conditions, characterized by significant security challenges.
This gathering will address the intricate uncertainties facing Ukrainian cities today, emphasizing the necessity for inventive and interdisciplinary methods of collaboration and problem-solving. It aims to foster co-creation, enhance adaptability, and build a trust-based, collaborative ecosystem that transcends traditional bureaucratic structures. The event will pose critical questions regarding integrating diverse capabilities, support mechanisms and stakeholders to create synergistic outcomes.
Hosted by the City Institute (Lviv, Ukraine) in partnership with UNDP and the EU's Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), the event will convene members of the M4EG of Ukrainian mayors, community partners, and seasoned practitioners. Collaborators from leading institutions such as Arup, Climate-KIC, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), World Bank as well as academic partners from TalTech, Columbia University, and Hamburg University, will also participate. This gathering promises to be a moment for collective reflection and forward-thinking in the transformative journey of Ukraine’s urban landscapes.