On Tuesday December 3, as part of the Rencontres régionales de l’International event in Dijon, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Dijon metropolis, the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, ALDA (European Association for Local Democracy) and partners from the Vinnytsia Oblast, with a view to setting up a Local Democracy Agency (LDA) in Vinnytsia in 2025. The agreement aims to promote resilience, reconstruction and European integration, while strengthening relations between France, Ukraine and Spain.
The Ukrainian delegation included Anatoliy Tkach, Vice-President of the Vinnytsia Oblast, Vladyslav Skalskyi, Deputy Mayor of the City of Vinnytsia, Olha Oliinyk, Head of the Regional Association of Local Self-Governments, and Lillia Atnazheva, Head of the Association of Ukrainian Civic Initiatives.
On the French side, Patrick Molinoz, Vice-President of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region, and Lydie Pfander-Mény, Deputy Mayor of Dijon, were also present, alongside Antonella Valmorbida and Maurizio Camin, respectively Secretary General and Vice-President of ALDA (European Association for Local Democracy), Niall Sheerin, representing the Council of Europe, and Octavi de la Varga Mas, from Barcelona Provincial Council.
This commitment is based on a shared vision: to develop lasting relations between French and Ukrainian local authorities. Regional and municipal partnerships play a fundamental role in supporting local democracy, reconstruction and the exchange of best practices. These long-term relationships are essential to ensure a stable, European future for Ukraine.
In this context, Stand With Ukraine has been invited to this event as a key player in strengthening partnerships between French and Ukrainian cities. We are delighted to be able to put our expertise at the service of the development of collaborations between Ukrainian local authorities, regions and communes and their European counterparts. These efforts are in line with Ukraine’s European integration and the country’s reconstruction. Stand With Ukraine underlines the importance of these initiatives, which aim to provide lasting support for Ukraine’s democratic and economic transition, while strengthening human and institutional ties between the two nations.
