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Ukraine: civic leaders turn local ideas into projects through the “Initiative. Participation. Impact” programme
The Congress project “Strengthening multilevel governance and local democracy to support Ukraine’s recovery” has successfully concluded the “Initiative. Participation. Impact” programme....
E-governance in action: Ukrainian municipalities exchange good practices in Ternopil
On 13–14 July 2026, Ternopil hosted a two-day thematic session of the Community of Practice on Transparency, Accountability and Citizen Participation dedicated to advancing e-governance and...
Ukraine’s first metropolitan citizens’ assembly in Lviv delivers 19 recommendations to protect water resources
The Lviv Agglomeration has successfully concluded Ukraine’s first-ever metropolitan citizens’ assembly, organised with the Congress support and focused on the sustainable preservation and use of water resources. Over three intensive sessions of learning, deliberation and joint work, local...
Ukrainian Authorities Strengthen Interagency Preparedness to Counter Election Related Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference
From 15 to 17 June 2026, the Council of Europe* supported a three-day simulation-based practical exercise on “Countering Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) in Elections”,...
Putting human rights at the heart of Ukraine’s local governance and recovery
Rebuilding Ukraine is about far more than restoring physical infrastructure; it is about embedding fundamental human dignity and rights into everyday...
Justice and protection for children of Ukraine at the core of meetings at the Council of Europe
Key international actors discuss in Strasbourg the challenges the ongoing war poses to Ukraine’s children, including conflict-related sexual violence
Statement on the escalating violence and attacks against civilians in Ukraine
Statement - “The Russian war against Ukraine continues to escalate with horrendous consequences for the people of Ukraine. I condemn the brutal...
Ukraine: Visit of the Director of Human Rights of the Council of Europe to Kyiv
From 22 to 25 June, Clare Ovey, Director of Human Rights of the Council of Europe, accompanied by the three members of the Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, visited Kyiv for high-level discussions concerning the execution of the Court’s judgments by...
Congress Vice-President: Local authorities are crucial to Ukraine’s EU accession
Konstantinos Koukas made remarks before the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk
Council of Europe highlights children’s rights at Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 side event
The Council of Europe reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that children’s rights remain at the heart of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts during a high-level side at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 (URC 2026). The event “Protecting Children, Securing the Future: Children’s...
Council of Europe Commissioner calls for continued solidarity with displaced Ukrainians in Europe
Michael O’Flaherty sees policies promoting premature returns as a “worrying trend”
Congress Secretary General at Ukraine Recovery Conference: Local democracy is a prerequisite for resilience and recovery
“Ukraine’s decentralisation reform proved to be one of its greatest strategic assets during the full-scale invasion, allowing local leaders to safeguard utilities, protect communities, and...
International Claims Commission for Ukraine: first meeting of preparatory committee
New group to define rules of procedure and provisional budget for compensation body
Committee condemns Russia's attack on Saint Sophia Cathedral and the monastic buildings of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
In a written declaration adopted unanimously today, the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) strongly condemned the drone strikes that hit the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery on 15 June 2026. Saint Sophia Cathedral and the...
Future of district councils in Ukraine
On 17 June 2026, the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance (CEMG) at the Council of Europe Congress facilitated a “Strasbourg format” meeting on the role of district (rayon) councils...
Ukraine’s first metropolitan citizens’ assembly launched in Lviv
Ukraine continues strengthening its democratic foundations at local and regional level even under the strain of war. On 13–14 June 2026, residents of the Lviv Agglomeration gathered in Lviv...
Europe must maintain a welcome for displaced Ukrainians
Speech delivered at the Ukrainian Global Summit held in Bern, Switzerland on 6 June 2026. Thank you very much indeed. It is a great pleasure to be here. I am very grateful for the...
Europe must help with the challenge of rehabilitating Ukraine’s soldiers and civilians disabled by the war
The unprecedented increase in the number of soldiers and civilians with disabilities is one of “the most dramatic and long-term consequences” of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, a PACE committee has said – while urging all European countries to be engaged in the challenge of...
Strengthening electoral resilience: Ukrainian and Swiss authorities exchange experience on elections and democratic participation
A high-level Ukrainian delegation comprising representatives of the Central Election Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine undertook a three-day working visit to...
Help for Ukrainian children with disabilities resulting from the war
The urgent challenges faced by Ukrainian children with disabilities resulting from Russia’s war of aggression – including access to rehabilitation, healthcare, inclusive education, psychosocial support and continuity of care both in Ukraine and in host countries – was the topic of a high-level...
*All references to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nation's Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.