Supporting communities and preparing for winter: Vitalii Bezhin meets with local government representatives

Vitalii Bezhin, Minister for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons of Ukraine, met with community heads at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine. Participants discussed the results of the Ministry's activities, communities' current needs, support for frontline areas and shared priorities for the coming period.

The Ministry has now been fully operational for just over 100 days. Its organizational phase is complete, and it is focused on decisions that support communities.

Among its first results in regional policy is the introduction of functional types of territories. It has also secured additional funding from international partners for housing programs for internally displaced persons.

The meeting also gave particular attention to the Ministry's legislative initiatives that matter to communities. Vitalii Bezhin thanked the Members of Parliament and First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Kornienko for their dialogue and mutual understanding.

"A difficult winter is ahead, with more evacuations from frontline areas. Our task is to pool our efforts and support the communities that will take people in. We will help repair the premises needed to house evacuees. Responsibility must be shared by everyone. Without solidarity, we will not endure," Vitalii Bezhin stressed.

Participants also acknowledged the contribution of donor communities, which together raised UAH 800 million to build mobile shelters along routes to schools in frontline regions.

Another topic was fair treatment of communities in the 2027 budget decisions, in the selection of State Fund for Regional Development projects and in the delivery of support programs.

The Minister also stressed that frontline areas, where the situation remains the most difficult, are a priority. Communities must have equal access to resources and support programs.

All proposals voiced by community representatives at the meeting are to be brought to the December session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities under the President of Ukraine.