Local authorities are taking a decisive role in securing justice for Ukraine by directly connecting war-affected citizens with European compensation mechanisms. On 15 September 2026, the Congress and the Register of Damage for Ukraine joined forces to mobilise 300 online and in-person participants – including mayors and representatives of hosting, frontline, de-occupied and temporarily occupied communities, regional and sub-regional authorities, and their national associations – to help affected communities record their losses and demand accountability.

Opening the event, Congress Secretary General Mathieu Mori highlighted the indispensable role of local and regional authorities in connecting victims with European justice mechanisms: “As the level of government closest to citizens, your proximity is precisely what can turn a claim form into access to justice. Helping residents record what they have lost will ensure reconstruction in not only about rebuilding but also about accountability,” he said.

The meeting served as a platform for local authorities to share practical solutions to identify potential claimants, reach vulnerable groups, and deliver local assistance. Representatives of Fastiv, Kharkiv and Mariupol presented their approaches to documenting damage and supporting residents, while sharing key obstacles such as digital barriers for older residents, confidentiality concerns, and limited trust in compensation schemes. National associations emphasised their role in training public authorities and tailoring support to the distinct needs of frontline, de-occupied and hosting communities.

The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to support Ukrainian local authorities alongside the Register of Damage to strengthen access to justice and ensure that affected citizens are not left behind.

The event was organised jointly with the Office of the Register of Damage for Ukraine within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” for 2023–2026 and as part of the project “Strengthening multilevel governance and local democracy to support Ukraine’s recovery”, implemented by the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.