25 Years of Local Self-Government Day: The Mayors’ Club Continues to Strengthen International Relations

On December 7, Ukraine celebrated the 25th anniversary of Local Self-Government Day — a holiday symbolizing the development of participatory democracy at the local level. On this occasion, deep gratitude is expressed to local self-government employees across Ukraine for their daily painstaking work, which contributes to the development of Ukrainian communities and makes an enormous contribution to the reconstruction of our country.

This year, Local Self-Government Day was particularly productive for the Mayors’ Club. Thanks to the support of Ivan Synetar, Ambassador of Economy of Trust Ukraine and the MENA International Trade and Diplomacy Organisation for Ukraine’s reconstruction, our organization, together with community leaders, actively participated in the ceremonial events in Zakarpattia.

Several separate meetings were also organized, the results of which strengthened cooperation between Ukrainian and Slovak communities. In particular, thanks to the work of the Mayors’ Club representative in Slovakia, Oleksandr Sirko, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed with the Association of Towns and Communities of Slovakia (ZMOS). The strategic partnership agreement was concluded by Oleksandr Mazurchak, First Vice President of the Mayors’ Club, and Jozef Božik, Chairman of ZMOS.

This document promotes:

• the implementation of joint programs for developing the municipal system;
• strengthening the institutional capacity of Ukrainian communities;
• forming a support network for Ukraine within the European municipal space;
• establishing direct contacts with representatives of Slovak communities.

Every day, the Mayors’ Club finds new ways to promote the interests of Ukrainian communities at the international level. Much work remains ahead, but we are confidently moving forward, expanding opportunities for cooperation with cities around the world.