"Last week, we announced the creation of the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities. Today, we see that it is expanding, with new communities joining. This indicates that the voice of the frontline territories will be even louder. This is extremely important for us, because the Association's task is to promote the unification of the efforts of local self-government and the state around a single strategy for post-war recovery. We strive to establish effective cooperation between the President, the government, the parliament and local authorities. Our common task is to make the frontline territories new ‘growth points’ of the country, ensure economic development, and create decent and safe conditions for people to live and return," said Ihor Terekhov. 

The memorandum was signed during the event ‘Resilience and Development of Frontline Regions: Strategic Dialogue between Business and Communities,’ organised by the Sumy Regional Military Administration in conjunction with members of the Ukrainian Parliament and the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities. Representatives of frontline businesses and communities in the Sumy region also took part in the event. 

"Our communities' participation in the Association should help to form effective partnerships, exchange experiences and work together on solutions that can significantly impact the economic stability of frontline cities. It is important that our cooperation becomes the basis for strengthening the economy, creating new jobs and improving the living conditions of our people, who, despite everything, continue to live, work and develop the Sumy region," said Oleg Grygorov, head of the Sumy Regional State Administration.

Vitaliy Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, who joined the event online, shared his positive experience of supporting frontline businesses and attracting additional investment with the meeting participants.

Representatives of frontline communities raised a number of issues that need to be addressed: difficulties with human capital in the medical and education sectors and, accordingly, the need for additional preferences for employees in these sectors, the outflow of labour, especially young people. Frontline communities also need additional local tax breaks and compensation.

Most participants said they were in favour of returning and securing an additional 4% of personal income tax (from 60% to 64%) for local budgets, at least until the end of martial law (this is not currently provided for in the draft state budget for 2026).

Business representatives also drew attention to the provision of additional state support and changes to the terms of existing programmes for frontline territories, reduction of the tax burden, and coverage of insurance risks.

Following the meeting, participants compiled a list of problematic issues. These will be addressed by the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities in collaboration with members of parliament and executive authorities in order to develop effective solutions.

It should be noted that the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities was created to unite the efforts of frontline communities, draw the country's attention to their needs, and help these territories become growth points after the end of active hostilities.