Interregional Cooperation Program France-Ukraine
In a spirit of international solidarity, French regions have mobilized in an exemplary manner to support Ukraine in the face of the military aggression it is enduring. This mobilization has particularly intensified following a recent exchange between Mrs. Carole Delga, President of Régions de France and the Occitanie Region, Mr. Franck Leroy, President of the Grand Est Region, and Mrs. Tetiana Yehorova-Lutsenko, President of the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils (UAROR). In response to the call from Ukrainian authorities, French regions actively participated in the second International Summit of Cities and Regions, held in Kyiv on May 8-9, 2024, thereby laying the groundwork for strengthened interregional cooperation.
During this summit, Mr. Franck Leroy announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between Régions de France and UAROR, aimed at consolidating ties between the two nations through sustainable collaborations in key areas such as education, scientific research, culture, tourism, as well as economic, agricultural, and industrial sectors. This partnership includes the signing of an official agreement at the Régions de France Congress, scheduled to take place in Strasbourg in September 2024, symbolizing a mutual long-term commitment.
Concrete and structuring partnerships
Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, several French regions, including Grand Est, Île-de-France, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, have formalized structuring partnerships with Ukrainian communities. These partnerships have not only facilitated the organization of urgent humanitarian actions but have also laid the groundwork for Ukraine’s reconstruction through targeted support to healthcare systems and local infrastructure.
For example, the Île-de-France region has mobilized over 2 million euros since February 2022 to support the Ukrainian population, notably by providing essential humanitarian aid and funding reconstruction projects. Meanwhile, the Grand Est region has established a partnership with the Kharkiv Oblast, focusing on the delivery of humanitarian aid and providing political and technical support to help stabilize the region.
Through our association, we promote a tripartite model involving a French region, a Ukrainian region, and the Aide Médicale et Caritative France-Ukraine (AMCFU) Association. This model allows for the effective coordination of humanitarian actions while optimizing available resources. Notable collaborations include:
- Grand Est – AMCFU – Kharkiv Region
- Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (AURA) – AMCFU -Zaporizhzhia Region
- Île-de-France (IDF) – AMCFU – Tchernihiv and Kyiv Regions
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) – AMCFU – Odesa Region
These partnerships have enabled the mobilization of resources to support Ukrainian healthcare systems during the war, providing essential medical supplies to hospitals in the affected regions. Here are a few concrete examples:
- Medical support for the Kharkiv region
Kharkiv, a city near the Russian border, is one of the hardest hit by missile attacks, enduring almost daily bombings. Despite these hostile conditions, the city has taken in 194,000 internally displaced persons, including many children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
On April 15, 2024, thanks to a €50,000 grant from the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region, a humanitarian convoy organized by AMCFU delivered crucial medical equipment to three hospitals in Kharkiv (N°2, N°30, N°31). This convoy included a laparoscopic device, a mobile surgical lamp, an operating table, and a patient monitor, all provided by French suppliers. These supplies are essential for ensuring vital medical care for the people of Kharkiv, thereby providing an adequate response to the urgent needs of the population.
- Medical aid for Zaporizhzhia
The city of Zaporizhzhia, located in eastern Ukraine, has become a refuge for thousands of people evacuated from regions occupied by the Russian army. In response to this influx of internally displaced persons and the growing medical needs, the Île-de-France Region granted €100,000 for the purchase of medical equipment for two gynecological hospitals and maternity wards (N°3 and N°4) in Zaporijjia.
On October 14, 2022, AMCFU dispatched a humanitarian convoy that included ultrasound machines, patient monitors, neonatal resuscitation systems, and LigaSure electrosurgical instruments. These supplies, provided by French companies, are crucial for patient care, particularly in treating victims of violence and preventing unwanted pregnancies.
Future Perspectives
The prospects for cooperation between French regions and Ukrainian oblasts are vast and promising. Beyond the current humanitarian emergency, these partnerships aim to prepare for the future by anticipating the needs of reconstruction and strengthening economic, industrial, and cultural ties between the two nations. Initiatives such as the twinning of municipalities in Île-de-France with Ukrainian towns illustrate the deep and lasting commitment of local authorities in this process.
For example, 14 municipalities in Île-de-France have responded to the region’s call to establish twinning relationships with their Ukrainian counterparts:
- The 15th and 17th arrondissements of Paris
- Athis-Mons (91)
- Avon (77)
- Bessancourt (95)
- Brunoy (91)
- Carrières-sous-Poissy (95)
- Chaville (92)
- Épinay-sur-Seine (93)
- Franconville (95)
- Gommecourt (78)
- Palaiseau (91)
- Santeny (94)
- Vélizy-Villacoublay (78)
Among them, Chaville twinned with Koriukivka, Palaiseau with Boiarka, and Santeny with Krouty, signed their partnership agreements during the Ukraine forum on December 5, 2023.
Quick Donation
Since 2014, AMCFU has been tirelessly providing medical and humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian population, particularly in regions heavily affected by the war. We strive to improve living conditions and deliver essential assistance to the most vulnerable groups.
AMCFU sends ambulances, specialized medical equipment, and emergency care supplies, as well as European-standard medications, in collaboration with paramedics and doctors from France and Ukraine. The aid is distributed to hospitals with the most urgent needs.
The France-Ukraine interregional cooperation program is a powerful example of international solidarity, showcasing the commitment of French regions to support Ukraine not only in its struggle for sovereignty but also in its pursuit of reconstruction and sustainable economic and regional development.