SUN4Ukraine unveils 14 city partnerships for climate action
Unique pairings with European cities will fast-track Ukrainian municipalities’ climate-neutral recovery
Ukrainian cities are taking a major step toward climate neutrality, even in the midst of ongoing war.
Today, the EU-funded SUN4Ukraine project announced the partnerships of 12 Ukrainian municipalities with the selected European cities that are part of the EU Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. Through these unique partnerships, the EU Cities Mission will help Ukrainian Flagship Municipalities embed climate neutrality in their reconstruction strategies.
The following Mission Cities selected through a SUN4Ukraine call have signed up to the SUN4Ukraine project, demonstrating their commitment to support the Ukrainian municipalities. They will share their practical expertise in areas such as climate adaptation and mitigation, clean energy and mobility, climate action finance, citizen engagement and urban development.
The pairings, presented at the SUN4Ukraine conference in Kyiv, are:
- Chernihiv — Amsterdam
- Chernivtsi — Mannheim
- Dnipro — Budapest
- Kalush — Rzeszów
- Kharkiv — Izmir
- Konotop — Lappeenranta
- Kyiv — Leipzig
- Mykolaiv — Barcelona
- Novovolynsk — Aachen
- Pervomaisk — Parma
- Vinnytsia — Dijon Métropole
- Zviahel — Utrecht
Munich and Oslo will act as special mentor cities for all 12 Ukrainian Flagship Municipalities, thus enhancing the SUN4Ukraine knowledge transfer programme.
“Ukrainian cities are resilient. Ukrainian cities are determined. Ukrainian cities are committed to improving life for their residents,” said André Sobczak, Secretary General of Eurocities. “They are not only withstanding bombardment and disruption, but they are also planning for a European future built on peace, democracy and climate neutrality.”
“EU Mission Cities are committed to stand by them to achieve this goal. These new partnerships, rooted in shared values and common purpose, will bring the expertise and know-how Ukrainian cities need to bring lasting and sustainable change for their people.”
The pairings of the Mission Cities and Flagship Municipalities are based on cities needs and strengths, taking into account their size, economic profile, climate priorities and existing links where relevant, all against the realities of recovery during Russia’s war.
“The SUN4Ukraine partnerships are not only about capacity building and peer learning, but also about European cities showing solidarity and support for their colleagues in Ukrainian municipalities,” said Patrick Child, Mission Manager and Deputy Director-General for Environment at the European Commission.
“By working together, EU Mission Cities and Ukrainian Flagship Municipalities will fast-track solutions that transform people’s lives and put resilience and climate neutrality at the heart of Ukraine’s recovery.”
After completion of the 18 months partnership programme, SUN4Ukraine will create a Ukrainian Cities Climate Hub and all Ukrainian municipalities that expressed interest in the SUN4Ukraine project will be invited to join it. The Hub will be a platform for Mission cities and Ukrainian cities to share ideas and best practices and collectively shape a climate-resilient and sustainable future.
Notes to editors:
- Launched in May 2024 under the EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission and funded under Horizon Europe, Sustainable Urban Net Zero Network for Ukraine (SUN4Ukraine) is a four-year project focused on supporting Ukrainian cities in their pursuit of climate neutrality. In the wake of the severe disruptions caused by Russia’s war of aggression, this project focuses on aligning systemic and efficient recovery plans with climate objectives.
- The SUN4Ukraine project partners are Eurocities, Energy Cities, ARUP, Council of European Municipalities and Regions, LGI Sustainable Innovation, Ro3kvit Urban Coalition for Ukraine, Center for environmental initiatives “Ecoaction”, The Democratic Society Aisbl, Kyiv School of Economics, Demos Research Institute Helsinki, Cedos think tank, Association of Ukrainian Cities, Climate-KIC Holding B.V.. The project’s associate partner is the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
- The EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission aims to deliver 100 climate-neutral cities by 2030 and ensure these cities act as hubs for innovation, enabling climate neutrality across Europe by 2050. Mission Cities develop and implement Climate City Contracts that are reviewed by the European Commission and may receive a Mission Label. 103 Mission Cities have already received a Mission Label.