Kateryna Ivanchenko, CEO of the Center for Innovation Development, appeared as a guest on the French news radio station RFI in Ukrainian, where she discussed the key challenges facing Ukraine’s recovery, the role of local communities in this process, and the importance of international cooperation.
According to Kateryna Ivanchenko, Ukraine today faces not only the task of rebuilding destroyed infrastructure but also of forming a new model for community development in line with the «build back better» principle – rebuilding better than before. This requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account security risks, demographic changes, residents’ needs, and the long-term development of territories.
Reconstruction is not just about rebuilding structures, but also about creating modern, sustainable, and comfortable communities to which people will want to return.
Among the main challenges are security issues, the massive need for funding, and the necessity of making informed decisions regarding the use of state and international resources. At the same time, Kateryna emphasized that recovery cannot be viewed solely through the lens of infrastructure.
When it comes to recovery, people are the primary focus. This includes the return of those who have left, the reintegration of internally displaced persons and veterans, and the creation of conditions for the life and development of communities.
Kateryna also drew attention to the less obvious but critically important needs of local communities. These include the human resource capacity of local self-government bodies, training specialists to work with international partners, developing intermunicipal cooperation, and integrating Ukrainian communities into the European space.
Special emphasis was placed on the importance of high-quality data for recovery planning. According to the director of the Center for Innovation Development, many communities still face a lack of up-to-date local statistics, which complicates development planning and the implementation of investment projects.
These challenges are confirmed by the results of a study on partnerships between Ukrainian and European municipalities, which analysts at the Center for Innovation Development recently conducted among 316 local communities. The study highlighted the need to strengthen communities’ human resource capacity, develop international cooperation, and implement data-driven governance.
During the broadcast, Kateryna Ivanchenko also spoke about the role of international partners in Ukraine’s recovery. Today, dozens of countries are supporting Ukrainian communities by implementing projects to rebuild social infrastructure, develop local self-government, and strengthen institutional capacity. At the same time, intermunicipal partnerships between Ukrainian communities and municipalities in European Union countries – whose development is facilitated by the Center for Innovation Development – are becoming increasingly important.
Commenting on her participation in the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 in Gdańsk, CEO of the Center for Innovation Development noted that despite political debates between Ukraine and Poland, cooperation between Ukrainian and Polish communities and organizations remains active and constructive. According to her, an atmosphere of solidarity, mutual support, and a willingness to work together on Ukraine’s recovery was evident during the conference events.
The full recording of the interview is available at the link.