Forum of the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities
On May 15, the Forum of the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities, titled "People and Communities: Decisions That Shape the Future," convened in Irpin. Over 100 community leaders and representatives from the Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions participated. During the event, memorandums of intent to join the Association were signed by cities including Bucha, Borodianka, Makariv, Slavutych, Bilohorodka (Kyiv region), and Korostyshiv, Korosten, Malyn, Brusyliv, Narodychi (Zhytomyr region), among others.
Proposals to Support Frontline Communities
Ihor Terekhov, head of the Association and Mayor of Kharkiv, stated that the Association has prepared and submitted a set of proposals for the government’s second support package for frontline territories. These proposals prioritize:
- Business support;
- Special lending mechanisms and war risk insurance;
- Development of municipal housing;
- Energy self-sufficiency for communities;
- Support for internally displaced persons and workforce resilience.
A Memorandum of Cooperation was also signed at the forum between the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities and JSC Ukreximbank. The Association now unites over 300 communities from 12 regions of Ukraine. Mykola Kalashnyk, head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, emphasized that communities are the backbone of the country’s resilience, playing a critical role in infrastructure restoration and public support.
Vitaliy Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, noted that businesses in frontline regions operate under constant risk and require systemic support to survive and grow. Ihor Bezkaravainy, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, stressed the need to create conditions for priority lending in communities facing security challenges.
"We know better than anyone the price being paid today to ensure the country’s resilience under shelling."
Ihor Terekhov
The forum served as a platform for sharing experiences and discussing ways to support communities operating under the harsh conditions of war. It underscored the importance of collective efforts in sustaining frontline communities, which face numerous challenges due to ongoing military operations. The signing of memorandums and the creation of new support mechanisms reflect a strong commitment to the recovery and development of these regions—an effort vital to the country’s overall stability. Given current realities, such initiatives have the potential to significantly improve living conditions for local residents and help rebuild the economy in conflict-affected areas.
As frontline communities continue to advocate for essential support, recent developments highlight their ongoing efforts. The Association has presented a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at bolstering these regions, which reflects their resilience and determination. For a deeper understanding of these initiatives and how they align with the government's strategies, explore the latest proposals submitted by frontline communities for government support.