UNLA at the France–Ukraine 2026 Municipal Innovation Forum: Community Resilience and Experiences of Survival During War

October 13, 2026, Nice, France. Oleksandr Chernykh, Vice President of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association (UNLA), participated in the France — Ukraine 2026, dedicated to the development of intermunicipal partnerships, the modernization of urban infrastructure, and the strengthening of the sustainability of local communities.

The event took place at the Mediterranean University Center (Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen) in Nice and marked the first event of the France–Ukraine Cooperation Platform. Together with Oleksandr Kamenets, a representative of the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ULIE), a representative of UNLA joined the discussion on practical mechanisms for cooperation between Ukrainian and French municipalities, businesses, and professional associations.

The highlight of the forum was the international conference titled “Sustainable Cities: A Franco-Ukrainian Partnership for Sustainability and the Modernization of Urban Infrastructure.”

Municipal resilience—a matter of community survival

One of the key themes of the forum was the ability of local governments to ensure the functioning of cities and villages amid a full-scale war.

France is one of Ukraine’s key European partners, and the development of cooperation at the level of cities and local communities is important not only for European integration and reconstruction, but also for security and people’s daily lives.

Ukrainian communities face daily challenges that require prompt solutions: restoring electricity, water, and heat supplies after shelling; ensuring the operation of medical facilities; protecting the civilian population; and maintaining the functioning of critical infrastructure.

The speeches by the mayor of Kremenchuk and the head of the frontline community of Kurylivka made a particularly strong impression. Their accounts demonstrated the sacrifices local leaders and public utility workers are making to keep their communities functioning amid an aggressive war.

“Keeping the life-support systems of cities and villages functioning amid an aggressive war is not just a matter of professionalism, but also a true act of heroism on the part of municipal workers,” emphasized Oleksandr Chernykh.

Ukraine has gained unique practical experience in managing municipal infrastructure amid constant threats. Power companies are restoring electricity supply while at risk of repeated attacks, utility services are quickly clearing up the damage, and local authorities are constantly seeking solutions to situations for which it is impossible to be fully prepared using conventional management models.

This experience is also becoming important for European partners. Whereas international cooperation previously focused primarily on providing assistance to Ukrainian communities, today increasing attention is being paid to studying Ukrainian practices in crisis management and ensuring the continuity of municipal services.

Energy Security, Critical Infrastructure, and Civil Protection

Forum participants discussed a number of practical areas for urban modernization, including energy security, digital technologies, waste management, the modernization of public infrastructure, cooperation with the business community, and attracting investment.

At the same time, Ukraine’s experience shows that the modernity of urban infrastructure is determined not only by its technological sophistication but also by its ability to function under emergency conditions.

Will the hospital have a backup power supply after a shelling? Will the water supply remain intact during a large-scale power outage? Will utility services be able to provide people with heat during a cold snap? How effectively is the protection of the civilian population organized?

It is precisely these issues that should determine the priorities of municipal cooperation between Ukraine and France.

Promising areas of cooperation include the decentralization of energy supply, the creation of backup life-support systems, the protection of critical infrastructure, the development of civil defense, and the implementation of digital management tools for crisis situations.

Ukrainian communities not only need international support, but also have practical knowledge they can share with their European partners. Their experience of functioning under shelling, restoring public utilities, and coordinating emergency response can be useful for improving the crisis preparedness of European cities.

Direct Partnerships Between Communities and the Role of Professional Associations

During the forum, special attention was given to the need to develop direct contacts between Ukrainian local communities and French municipalities.

Such cooperation may include joint planning of infrastructure projects, the exchange of management expertise, technology transfer, the involvement of French companies in the modernization of public utilities, and the development of long-term support programs.

It is important that international cooperation be based on the actual needs of communities, aim for concrete results, and ensure transparent interaction between government, business, and international partners.

Professional associations and business groups play an important role in this process, particularly the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association and the Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.

They can help communities find potential partners, advocate for their needs with decision-making institutions, facilitate the establishment of business contacts, and create the conditions for implementing joint projects.

Transparent advocacy, professional communication, and systematic collaboration between municipalities and companies make it possible to translate international support into concrete infrastructure, humanitarian, and investment solutions.

“Companies and communities seeking effective collaboration should take advantage of professional lobbying—a transparent model of interest representation that helps establish dialogue, find partners, and accelerate project implementation,” said Oleksandr Chernykh.

French-Ukrainian Partnership: From Dialogue to Concrete Results

The forum in Nice served as a platform for discussing specific mechanisms for cooperation between Ukrainian and French communities, professional associations, and business representatives.

For Ukraine, the development of such partnerships is of particular importance both during the war and in the postwar recovery process. Direct interaction with European regions makes it possible to identify community needs more quickly, attract technology and investment, exchange experiences, and move toward the practical implementation of joint initiatives.

The National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine supports the expansion of Franco-Ukrainian municipal cooperation and the development of transparent mechanisms for interaction between government, business, and international partners.

UNLA expresses its gratitude to the forum’s organizers—the Franco-Ukrainian Association (AFUCA) and the Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs—for hosting the event and creating a space for meaningful professional dialogue.

Special thanks to the Embassy of Ukraine in France, the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis (Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur), to Iryna Podiryako-Bourdel, Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Nice, and to Oleksandr Karakkin, Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Monaco, for their support of this initiative.

The Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association is convinced that international municipal partnerships must be based on the practical needs of communities, mutual responsibility, and concrete results. Strengthening the resilience of cities, protecting the civilian population, and modernizing critical infrastructure must remain among the key priorities of cooperation between Ukraine and France.