Strengthening Cooperation Between Local Governments and Civil Society for Ukraine’s Recovery

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Summary

Over the past decade, Ukraine has witnessed the strengthening of its local governments and civil society organizations (CSOs). The decentralization reform launched in 2014 empowered local authorities as key actors in governance and public-service delivery, while, following two revolutions, civil society emerged as a crucial force advancing democratic values.

Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 triggered an unprecedented challenge that required rapid and coordinated responses across all sectors. Local governments and CSOs quickly mobilized, stepping into central roles in supporting resistance efforts, delivering essential services, and addressing the immediate needs of affected populations. Their cooperation became vital to sustaining community resilience and initiating early recovery work.

There are valuable lessons to be drawn from successful partnerships in the regions directly impacted by the invasion. The Chernihiv region, which borders Belarus and Russia, was heavily affected in the early stages of the war. In municipalities like Nizhyn, Mena, and Horodnia, collaboration between local governments and CSOs has produced tangible outcomes despite ongoing security risks.

In Nizhyn, a strong partnership between the two sides led to the creation of the region’s first veterans support center, among other initiatives. In Mena, local authorities and CSOs have focused on energy resilience and civil defense, including the installation of solar panels and the construction of bomb shelters. Horodnia prioritized housing renovation for displaced persons and support services for families affected by the war. These cases highlight several factors that enable successful cooperation between local government and civil society : committed local leadership, mutual trust between stakeholders, access to international donor funding, and participatory governance approaches.

There are several ways in which this cooperation can be strengthened to further support Ukraine’s recovery. CSOs should align their projects with local strategies, engage in continuous dialogue with authorities, and tailor their work to the specific needs of communities. Local governments, in turn, should increase transparency, actively include CSOs in recovery planning, and treat them as strategic partners. The central government can facilitate their collaboration by decentralizing reconstruction funds, streamlining bureaucratic procedures, and ensuring oversight mechanisms that encourage joint efforts. International donors should prioritize funding models that promote local partnerships, build local capacity through training and technical assistance, and create accountability frameworks that include civil society.

Overall, sustained cooperation between local authorities and civil society is essential to an inclusive and effective recovery process. Institutionalizing their partnerships will not only improve service delivery and community resilience but also lay a stronger foundation for democratic reconstruction in postwar Ukraine.

Yana Brovdiy is a ReThink.CEE fellow 2024 of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.