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Expert forums on best practices from municipalities during the German-Ukrainian Municipal Partnerships Conference

On 14 November, day two of the German-Ukrainian Municipal Partnerships Conference 2023, you will have the opportunity to participate in one of seven expert forums that will take place simultaneously.

In the expert forums, which will address current topics, best practice examples from municipalities and from German-Ukrainian cooperation will be presented, and approaches and challenges will be jointly discussed. When registering for the conference, you can indicate your two preferred expert forums. Subject to capacity, we will try to enable you to participate in one of the two forums.

You may choose from the following topics:

  • Water and sanitation in Ukraine - What partnership-based approaches help during the war and in reconstruction?

    Cooperation partners: GIZ/Service Agency Utility Platform
    Venue: Schumann-Saal

    The first utility partnership between German and Ukrainian water operators has already been in place since 2019. Since the Russian war of aggression was launched, more than a dozen operator partnerships between German and Ukrainian water utilities have been established. The expert forum will present best practice examples from the partnerships and discuss how the partnerships can help during the war and in reconstruction.

  • EE1st – Energy efficiency first principle

    Cooperation partners: GIZ Ukraine Energy-efficiency Cluster
    Venue: Goethe-Saal

    This forum is dedicated to the presentation and discussion of how to operationalise the EU directive 'Energy Efficiency First' when implementing measures for the construction, renovation and modernisation of all municipal buildings. One key aim of the forum is to generate ideas and inspiration on how this principle can be implemented jointly through municipal partnerships.

  • Integrated urban development for reconstruction – planning and implementation

    Cooperation partners: GIZ/Service Agency Connective Cities
    Venue: Händel-Saal

    In this expert forum, participants will discuss the implementation of integrated urban development plans based on several best practice examples. One key aim of the forum will be to adapt integrated approaches as a basis for sustainable reconstruction in Ukraine.

  • Contributions of municipal partnerships to civil protection and reconstruction

    Cooperation partner: GIZ Civil Protection
    Venue: Leibniz-Saal

    This forum will focus on sharing practical lessons learned in development-oriented emergency aid. Key topics will include logistics, transport, communication and customs regulations. Participants will also discuss the transition from short-term measures to sustainable partnerships.

  • Gender-sensitive and gender-equitable approaches in the reconstruction of Ukraine and in the work of municipalities in Germany and Ukraine

    Cooperation partner: Heinrich Böll Foundation, Ukraine
    Venue: Schiller-Saal

    In this expert forum, participants will discuss the following questions based on several best practice examples: How has the Russian war of aggression changed the lives of women, girls and marginalised groups? What support services are needed? What is available? What can municipalities contribute?

  • Local self-government and democracy in administrative structures

    Cooperation partner: GIZ U-LEAD
    Venue: Mahler-Saal

    Building on the lessons learned with the decentralisation reform in Ukraine, and with reference to various best practice examples, this expert forum will address the following questions: What support do Ukrainian municipalities need for reconstruction: structures, resources, reconstruction plans? How, and with which participatory structures, could a guiding framework be created? How should the allocation of responsibilities between the local and national levels be regulated (administrative structure)?

  • Digital tools to support reconstruction and development

    Cooperation partner: State Agency for Reconstruction and Development, Ukraine
    Venue: Weißer Saal

    This expert forum will discuss how digital procedures can bundle administrative processes and accelerate reconstruction, and which developments, procedures and processes can be useful for German and Ukrainian municipalities. The Ukrainian pilot software application DREAM – a digital ecosystem that ensures transparent and efficient reconstruction – will be showcased. Best practices of German municipalities in the field of digitalisation will also be presented.