In February 2025, WFD brought a delegation of Ukrainian mayors and local government officials to Manchester, to deepen participants' understanding of local governance structures in the UK, with a focus on the dynamics of multi-mayor cities and effective regional management models. The activity was part of our Recovering Ukraine Democratically (RUD) programme.

The Ukrainian delegation explored the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, an example of city-region collaboration, where the leadership of ten councils is managed jointly by their mayors. They also learned about the royal tradition of appointing lord mayors, whose largely ceremonial roles hold significant respect and contribute to trust in local institutions.

"The role of independent local governance is vital even during peacetime. But under martial law, with numerous restrictions in place, it becomes one of the key safeguards against centralisation of power and authoritarian tendencies. Moreover, de-occupied Ukrainian communities deserve special attention, as their capacities have been significantly affected by military aggression, widespread infrastructure destruction, and the psychological trauma inflicted on the population.” Explained Vasyl Sehin, Director of WFD’s RUD Programme:  “WFD has initiated inclusive recovery efforts in three such communities in the Kyiv region, with their mayors joining this visit," says Sehin.

The Ukrainian delegation shared personal stories of resilience from their hometowns. They also spoke about their challenges during the occupation, including stories of mayors hiding from enemy forces to continue supporting their citizens.

In addition to meetings with UK officials, the delegation met with mayors and local leaders from around the world at a Strong Cities Network event. Participants included the Mayor of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Mayor of Mechelen, and the Mayor of Oslo, among others. Ukrainian cities Borodianka and Kherson have already joined the Strong Cities Network, a global initiative that works to strengthen urban resilience.  

The Ukrainian delegation also engaged with students at the University of Manchester, delivering a lecture to around 200 students. The talk highlighted the importance of sharing practical governance experiences and fostering future leadership, while also raising awareness about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Larysa Bilozir, member of Ukrainian Parliament reflected on the value of opportunity to engage in discussions about local leadership, crisis management, and addressing community challenges during times of war.  

“I felt immense support for Ukraine from communities, mayors, and council representatives, which was truly inspiring. I am confident that these network connections and collaborations will be valuable for Ukrainian communities in fostering future partnerships with local governments in the UK and the US”, she said.  

Vitaliy Bilobrov, Deputy Mayor of Kherson, said he is confident that the partnerships they are forming will contribute to their development.

“We have drawn many important conclusions. The first and most significant is that we have real support. The second is that we must continue building horizontal connections, generating demands from the grassroots level, and elevating them to the top”.  

The exchanges that WFD provides play a crucial role in strengthening democracy at local, national, and international levels, while building solidarity, partnership, and understanding across borders.