Since the beginning of the decentralisation reforms, which also have been driven forward with German support since 2014, Ukrainian municipalities have been taking on increasing responsibility for local tasks and development. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian municipalities and municipal companies have been doing extraordinary work to protect the lives of the population and maintain basic local services under extreme conditions.
In recognition of these outstanding contributions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has designated a total of 26 cities and municipalities as ‘Hero Cities of Ukraine’ since March 2022 – a symbol of deepest appreciation for exceptional courage, resilience and commitment.
Background information on the ‘Hero Cities of Ukraine’
Ten cities were awarded this honorary title back in March 2022: Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mariupol, Volnovakha, Hostomel, Bucha, Irpin, Okhtyrka and Mykolaiv.
In October 2025, another 16 cities followed: Bashtanka, Drushkivka, Hulyaipole, Kostyantynivka, Kramatorsk, Kupiansk, Marhanets, Nikopol, Orikhiv, Pavlohrad, Pokrovsk, Sloviansk, Starokostiantyniv, Sumy, Trostyanets and Voznesensk.
In his speech on the awarding of the honorary title in October 2025, President Zelensky emphasised:
“And, of course, it is right that today we also recognize our communities in Ukraine, our cities that so often bear the greatest weight in defense and resilience. (…) Today (…) we honor more Hero Cities, cities of heroes. (…) These are cities thanks to which thousands of lives of our people have been saved. Cities that defend our entire state – in the fullest sense of those words.”
Hero cities in our operator partnerships
Among the honoured cities are several municipalities and cities in which water and wastewater as well as waste management companies are active, which are involved in our operator partnerships with German municipal companies. You can find further information on the respective commitments via the linked partnership pages:
- Kherson: Khersonvodokanal – Bonn-Netz GmbH
- Mykolaiv: enercity AG – Mykolayivvodokanal – Dez Pilot – Mykolaivoblteploenergo – Betreiberplattform
We would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest respect to all our Ukrainian partners. Despite the daily danger posed by drone and rocket attacks, often targeting critical water and wastewater infrastructure, they work tirelessly and frequently risk their lives to ensure the provision of local public services.
At the same time, these same specialists are involved in international projects such as operator partnerships to improve operational processes, repair war damage and prepare for European regulatory standards, which are becoming increasingly relevant in the wake of Ukraine’s planned accession to the EU. This commitment deserves our utmost respect.
Donation campaign to support Ukrainian water suppliers and wastewater and waste disposal companies
To support the work of employees at Ukrainian municipal companies, it is possible to donate directly to Ukrainian water suppliers and wastewater and waste disposal companies. To this end, the Utility Platform has teamed up with the German Association of Local Public Utilities (VKU) to create a logistics hub that enables a cost-free and straightforward donation process.
The list of requirements, which is continuously updated in collaboration with our Ukrainian partners, provides detailed information on the goods that are currently needed. The transport of donated materials is free of charge for the donating companies and is financed via the Utility Platform and carried out by a GIZ logistics partner.
Since the logistics hub was established, goods worth €3.9 million have already been delivered to Ukrainian water and wastewater companies (as of November 2025; value based on current market value or symbolic value).
However, donations have recently declined due to the ongoing war of aggression. We would therefore like to encourage you to continue participating in this important campaign.
If you would like to donate material goods and have further questions, we would like to refer you to the digital information event ‘Donation Platform Ukraine’ on 12 January 2026 (in German). There, questions about the current situation in the Ukrainian water and energy sector, the most urgent technical needs, and the practical process of donating goods and logistics are answered.
