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The Council of Europe is actively supporting Ukraine in designing the next stage of its decentralization reform, while also helping prepare for future elections and the transition to civilian governance in liberated, occupied, and frontline territories, UATV English reports.
Mathieu Mori, Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, outlined the organization’s ongoing work with Ukraine in comments to Ukrinform during an international mayors’ summit in Nancy, France.
According to Mori, Ukraine remains the Council of Europe’s top priority. He noted that he had recently participated in a Committee of Ministers meeting focused on Ukraine and would continue discussions through a dedicated weekly working group.
The Congress is currently cooperating with Ukrainian local and regional authorities, municipal associations, parliament, the government, and the Office of the President on developing the next phase of decentralization. Mori said that discussions are already underway regarding a new model of decentralization, which is being shaped through extensive consultations with Ukrainian stakeholders.
He emphasized that the reform process continues despite Russia’s full-scale invasion and that Ukrainian communities are actively experimenting with new forms of democratic participation. With support from the Council of Europe, citizens’ assemblies have already been established in Kyiv, Lviv, and Rivne, demonstrating the resilience of local democracy during wartime.
Mori also highlighted ongoing efforts to prepare legal and institutional frameworks for future elections at both the local and national levels. While elections cannot currently be held under wartime conditions, planning for the post-war democratic process has already begun.
Another major area of cooperation involves developing governance models for territories affected by the war. According to Mori, the Council of Europe has launched work on transitional governance mechanisms for liberated territories, currently occupied areas, and frontline communities.
The goal, he said, is to help Ukraine build institutions capable of ensuring democratic governance, stability, security, and effective public administration during the post-war recovery period and beyond.
The Council of Europe views these efforts as an important part of Ukraine’s long-term democratic development and its broader path toward European integration.
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