During a special roundtable discussion involving the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, the Embassy of Canada in Ukraine, and development partners, the "Community-Led Inclusive Recovery" (CLIR) initiative was launched. As part of this initiative, 19 territorial communities from 7 regions will receive expert support for sustainable, inclusive, social, and economic recovery. Representatives from the selected communities were also present at the event.

"The Ministry is making significant efforts to ensure that the focus of international technical assistance projects is concentrated on strengthening communities. This interaction has a significant positive impact on the lives of local residents and the capacity of the local self-government system in Ukraine. Communities become more independent and capable of implementing recovery projects.

I want to thank Canada for its support and comprehensive involvement in the recovery processes. The assistance of the CLIR initiative will enable communities to better understand the priorities of reconstruction, acquire the necessary knowledge and tools for the development of effective comprehensive recovery projects, taking into account the needs of all groups of residents," commented Vice Prime Minister for Reintegration of Ukraine and Minister of Development of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov.

Overall, more than 300 communities from 11 war-affected regions of Ukraine expressed their willingness to participate in the initiative. From the selected communities, six groups were formed based on geographical proximity and shared needs:

1. Kyiv region (Baryshivka, Glevakha, Boyarka, Velyka Dymerka)
2. Donetsk and Kharkiv region (Blyzniukivska, Saventsi, Balakliia)
3. Dnipropetrovsk region (Sofiivska, Pershotravenska, Apostolivska, Zelenodolska)
4. Mykolaiv region (Bashtanka, Bereznehuvate)
5. Odessa region (Shabivka, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi)
6. Chernihiv region (Kholmska, Koropska, Menska).

"During a great war, it is extremely important for the country that territorial communities become leaders in rebuilding. This is impossible without the development of deep competencies and effective institutions at the local level. The comprehensive expertise possessed by the CLIR team in inclusivity, gender orientation, and sustainability should be a guarantee of effective recovery. A systemic approach will strengthen the capacity and resilience of territorial communities in the long term," noted Deputy Minister of Development of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandra Azarkhina.

The CLIR initiative experts will provide selected communities with expert support in the following areas: strategic management and planning, establishing partnerships with international organizations, attracting external investments, developing social services, supporting the development of recovery and development plans and strategies, implementing sustainable development principles, and more.

The "Inclusive Recovery Led by Communities" (CLIR) initiative is implemented through the "Support to Government Reforms in Ukraine" (SURGe) Project, an international technical assistance project funded by the Government of Canada at the request of the Ministry of Development of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure of Ukraine. SURGe is a project on inclusive governance in Ukraine, implemented by Alinea International and funded by the Ministry of International Development of Canada.