Lviv, Ukraine, 12 June 2025 – One of the largest events in the field of urbanism in Ukraine – the Lviv Urban Forum – was held on 11-13 June 2025, in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. For the third consecutive year, the event was supported by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG) initiative. 

The forum brought together 1,500 urban planning experts, policymakers, architects, and local leaders from across Ukraine and beyond to explore how cities can evolve, adapt, and thrive without losing their core identity. 

This year’s forum centred on the theme of “Building Continuity”, and focused on the ongoing challenges Ukrainian cities face in maintaining urban development momentum while addressing disruptions caused by war, technological changes, and rapid urbanization. 

The UNDP team participated actively in the programmatic part of the event, organizing specialized sessions that showcased practical approaches to municipal development in the context of recovery and growth, namely: 

1. A “Funding and Finance for Recovery and Development” workshop that brought together local authorities, development partners, and experts, offering them practical insights into financing mechanisms and enhanced proposal development skills to promote partnerships for inclusive, green, and innovative local economic growth. 
2. The “Municipalities Public Dialogue” interactive session designed to showcase some successfully implemented M4EG projects, share experiences of collaborative partnerships, and discuss possibilities for strengthening joint efforts among municipalities and their diverse partners to accelerate sustainable economic recovery. 

The UNDP programmatic participation concluded with a brief presentation of the unfolding new phase of the M4EG initiative, delivered by UNDP in Ukraine’s Regional Development Programme manager, Mustafa Sait-Ametov. 

Key discussions explored on the forum’s main stage included: 

• How to define and continue urban traditions while adapting to contemporary needs
• Balancing restoration efforts with long-term development strategies   
• Building sustainable institutions that support continuous architectural and urban planning processes 
• Transferring knowledge between generations without losing meaning in a rapidly changing world 
• Moving from local initiatives to global best practices 

The continued partnership between the EU and UNDP to co-finance the forum and participate in its programmatic activities demonstrates the sustained commitment of both organizations to support Ukrainian municipalities in their urban development efforts. The forum serves as a vital platform for Ukrainian cities to share experiences, learn from international best practices, and develop strategies that allow urban areas to develop without disruption, while also maintaining their unique characteristics and serving their communities effectively. 

Background: 

Since 2017, the EU has been implementing the M4EG initiative, and UNDP has been managing it since 2021. The project supports local governments in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries on their path to inclusive economic growth.  

Since 2021, the M4EG initiative has built up and engaged with a network of over 430 municipalities across the EaP region. Nearly 50 municipalities have benefited from innovative financing for urban development, funding for green and blue energy transitions in the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, and the provision of crucial assistance to refugees and internally displaced people, as well as sustainable tourism in Armenia and green and smart solutions for cities in Azerbaijan and Georgia. 

Media enquiries: 

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org