Twelve Ukrainian cities join the SUN4Ukraine initiative of the EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission

Launched in May 2024 under the EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission and funded under Horizon Europe, the Sustainable Urban Net Zero Network for Ukraine (SUN4Ukraine) is a four-year project focused on supporting Ukrainian cities in their pursuit of climate neutrality. In the wake of the severe disruptions caused by Russia's war of aggression, this project focuses on systemic and efficient recovery, aligning with Ukraine’s climate objectives and engaging citizens and stakeholders.

SUN4Ukraine empowers Ukrainian cities to seamlessly integrate Climate Neutrality Plans into their recovery strategies, paving the way for sustainable and resilient urban development. Twelve municipalities have been selected to join the initiative: Chernihiv, Chernivtsi, Dnipro, Kalush, Kharkiv, Konotop, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Novovolynsk, Pervomaisk, Vinnytsia and Zviahel. Each city will receive tailored expert support, participate in a comprehensive capacity-building programme, and be paired with EU Mission Cities for valuable knowledge exchanges. As part of the initiative, SUN4Ukraine will offer tailored advice through technical workshops on emission reduction and target setting for various sectors, including transport. 

As a first step, SUN4Ukraine will channel key lessons from the EU Cities Mission to the twelve Flagship Municipalities, focusing on the implementation, governance and financing of urban climate action. This support will be tailored to each city's needs, considering national circumstances, particularly the recovery challenges posed by the ongoing war. 

In the next phase, the Flagship Municipalities will partner with EU Mission Cities, transitioning from knowledge exchange to implementation. These partnerships will align expertise with capacity building needs and match cities based on shared climate neutrality challenges. 

In the longer term, all municipalities that responded to SUN4Ukraine’s call for expressions of interest will be invited to participate in the Ukrainian Cities Climate Hub. This platform will facilitate knowledge exchange, collaboration, and best practice sharing to advance Ukraine’s recovery and sustainability. 

Read the original press release here. 

Author: Dearbhla Mullin

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.