At the heart of this historic project are Ukraine’s newly created economic unions. Our partnership has been hard at work persuading local leaders to band together to create synergies in the form of economic unions. Working together in groups the municipalities identify their own regional needs, resources, and opportunities. They provide standardized information in a systematic manner that will be appealing to foreign investors and grant providers alike. Thus far we have created 15 unions covering 63 municipalities representing close to 2 million people! This is a historic win-win for local governments and foreign investors.

EOTU, UMEDA, and the Mayors’ Club understand that the local leaders of Ukraine need to be prepared to work with international companies who will soon be entering their areas and creating jobs. We recognize the need to educate and certify the leaders of Ukraine at the local level. We are rolling out a series of rigorous courses designed and led by some of the world’s leading experts in topics ranging from anticorruption to finance. These local leaders can also avail themselves of our expert sessions designed to provide them with targeted information on a more regular schedule. The prestigious law firm of Hughes, Hubbard & Reed will be the first to present to the mayors on the topics of fraud and corruption. This is all at no cost to the local leaders!

Few understand that Ukraine committed to a decentralization process years before the war. Significant federal powers devolved to the local municipalities. Today local leaders have great authority and responsibility but no international voice. Our partnership is engaging a prominent Washington DC lobbying company to give voice to Ukraine’s localities in the US Congress and elsewhere. 

We are also providing local businesses with a menu of services at very low monthly costs to them. UMEDA’s Business Development Office is providing its companies with access to the Mayors’ Club, international businesses, and the EOTU global network of experts in finance, law, technology, waste and recycling, construction, design, and more. As UMEDA Members and Participants these companies will utilize our digital platform to showcase their business to audiences all over the world. In the coming months we will be offering these companies services and expertise related to running and growing their business. Ukraine’s 1.8+ million businesses will benefit greatly from our joint efforts.