By Olena Krylova
When Natasha Pittet, Director of Social Affairs and Security of the City of Biel/Bienne, met Anatolii Fedoruk, Mayor of Bucha, in February 2025, the conversation was about much more than relations between two municipalities. Organised with the support of USB – United for Support and Belonging and Vidnova, the meeting reflected a growing understanding that Ukraine’s recovery will depend not only on national policies, but also on strong partnerships between local communities.
During the meeting, Municipal Councillor Pittet reaffirmed Biel’s solidarity with the people of Ukraine and recalled the massacre of civilians committed by Russian forces in Bucha in March 2022. She also expressed the city’s readiness to share its expertise with its Ukrainian counterparts. Mayor Fedoruk welcomed the initiative, stressing that regular exchanges between Ukrainian and European municipalities are essential as Ukraine prepares for long-term recovery.
This is precisely where international municipal cooperation becomes so important.
Ukraine’s reconstruction is often associated with roads, bridges and housing. Yet rebuilding institutions is just as critical. Local governments are responsible for schools, social services, public administration, urban planning and many of the services that shape people’s everyday lives. Their capacity will largely determine how successful the country’s recovery will be.
Switzerland has decades of experience in local governance, citizen participation and municipal management. These are not models that can simply be copied. But they are experiences that can be shared through dialogue between professionals facing similar challenges. A conversation between two mayors, social affairs departments or municipal administrations can often be as valuable as financial assistance, because it transfers something equally important: practical know-how.
Supporting this exchange of experience is one of USB’s priorities. By connecting Swiss and Ukrainian municipalities, the association promotes long-term cooperation in areas such as local governance, social policy, community resilience and public administration. These partnerships create opportunities to learn from one another, develop practical solutions and build lasting professional relationships based on trust.
The timing is significant. As preparations continue for the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome, the discussion is increasingly shifting from emergency response to sustainable recovery. Alongside investment in infrastructure, Ukraine will need investment in capable institutions and effective local government. International municipal partnerships have an important role to play in that process.
Solidarity does not end with humanitarian assistance. Its most lasting impact comes when knowledge, experience and responsibility are shared—helping communities not only recover from war, but build stronger foundations for the future.
