“In 2025, municipalities of Cherkasy Oblast have shown rapid growth in the number of cooperation agreements. We are the leaders among Ukrainian oblasts in terms of the rates at which they are being concluded. This is the result of our joint efforts, including ongoing consultations, visits to municipalities and dialogue events that we held with our partners, notably U-LEAD with Europe. The intermunicipal cooperation tool allows municipalities to pool financial, property and human resources to address common challenges, develop territories and participate in grant programmes,” said Serhii Danylenko, the Deputy Director of Regional Development Department of Cherkasy Oblast Military Administration.
As of November 2025, there are 77 cooperation agreements in force in the oblast, 65 of which have been concluded this year. The largest number of agreements was signed in Zolotonosha Rayon (28), making it the leader in terms of municipal activity. Zvenyhorodka and Cherkasy Rayons share second place (14 agreements each), and Uman Rayon entered into 11 agreements. There are also 10 agreements between municipalities of different districts of Cherkasy Oblast and two inter-regional agreements — between the municipalities of Bahacheve, Cherkasy Oblast, and Fastiv, Kyiv Oblast, as well as between Helmiaziv, Cherkasy Oblast, and municipalities of Kyiv Oblast.
Bahacheve municipality: a partnership that began with training
In the autumn, Bahacheve municipality signed a cooperation agreement with Fastiv, Kyiv Oblast. This partnership was born out of a training visit organised by U-LEAD.
The agreement provides for joint financing of facilities and delegation of certain functions, which enabled streamlining administration and improving services for residents.
“Last year, in October, U-LEAD with Europe hosted meetings of local self-government bodies of Kyiv, Cherkasy and Kirovohrad Oblasts. While visiting Fastiv, I got really interested in how this municipality prepares projects for competitions and international cooperation. Following the training, we formed a delegation and visited Fastiv for the second time. Then we started preparing documents for signing the Memorandum of Cooperation,” said Zoia Blyzniuk, the Deputy Mayor of Bahacheve municipality.
In addition to the partnership with Fastiv, Bahacheve municipality signed agreements with the municipality of Uman to provide rehabilitation services for veterans and responders to Chornobyl nuclear accident, as well as with Zvenyhorodka to support children with special educational needs.
These partnerships testify to the municipality’s commitment not only to sharing experiences, but also to expanding its network of cooperation in the social and educational spheres in practice.
Nova Dmytrivka municipality: a service centre for the region
The municipality of Nova Dmytrivka is a case of how a small municipality can become a resource centre for its neighbours. In April and May 2025, it signed five agreements to delegate powers in education and social protection. Fruitful intermunicipal cooperation has enabled the municipality to ensure the effective functioning of the Centre for Professional Development of Educators and the Centre for Social Services, which serve both their own and neighbouring municipalities.
“We have taken on the provision of education and social protection services to people. Our institutions cover municipalities that lack relevant practitioners,” explained Iryna Kod, the Secretary of Nova Dmytrivka Village Council.
Nova Dmytrivka also develops digital services, participates in joint energy initiatives and provides, jointly with Cherkasy National University, advanced training to educators.
Uman: long-term projects and strategic vision
The municipality of Uman has signed two strategic agreements: the Uman Project Office, which covers 12 municipalities of the district, and an agreement on cooperation between central municipalities in the format of delegation of powers.
“The Project Office team features officials of Uman City Council, Department of Regional Development, NGOs and businesses. We are creating a platform for establishing new partnerships and attracting investment,” said Vitalii Habryd, the Chief Specialist of Economic Development, Transport and Investment Department.
The Uman team is actively cooperating with partners to attract investment and international support. The municipality has also joined the League of Local Self-Government Leaders, a programme that helps develop management skills and build international ties. In addition, the municipality is implementing several partnership agreements in education, digitalisation and development of the region’s tourism potential, which strengthens its role as a coordination centre for Uman District.
Working together towards a common result
For municipalities in Cherkasy Oblast, cooperation is not just a mere formality, but a tool for actual development that strengthens the capacity of local self-government.
“We have seen ideas for cooperation emerge during training sessions and visits. Municipalities get to know each other, find common challenges and establish partnerships from there. Cooperation between the municipalities of Bahacheve and Fastiv is one of the few intermunicipal agreements between different oblasts that came about as a result of a study visit. This is a good example of how municipalities, having got to know each other through joint training, move on to concrete actions and build trust that spreads further,” stated Serhii Slynko, the Head of the Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in Cherkasy Oblast.
