Swedish Regional Leaders Exchange Views with Ukrainian Local Government Associations on Wartime Challenges
In Kyiv, Swedish and Ukrainian representatives met to exchange experiences on resilient governance and strengthen cooperation in support of Ukraine’s decentralisation and local resilience.
Carin Jämtin and Georg Andrén, Governors of the Swedish counties of Västernorrland and Värmland, joined the Embassy of Sweden in meeting representatives of Ukraine’s national local government associations and the Polaris Programme, Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine, which is implemented by SALAR International.
Experts from both County Administrative Boards, responsible for civil preparedness and defence, also took part in the discussion. The conversation covered how municipalities in Ukraine are operating during the war, decentralisation, and cooperation across local, regional and national levels. A particular focus was placed on practical experience, including how local authorities navigate security risks, power outages and other crises while keeping essential services running.
Sweden has long supported decentralisation in Ukraine, and can draw from Ukraine’s extensive experience of crisis preparedness, resilience and maintaining essential services under exceptionally challenging circumstances. Direct exchange between local and regional governance representatives from the two countries remains an important part of this cooperation.