Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 in Gdańsk brought together governments, international organisations, civil society, businesses, and development partners to discuss Ukraine's recovery and its path towards European Union membership.
A strong message echoed throughout the conference: Ukraine's recovery cannot succeed without a strong and active civil society. Across the country, civil society organisations are supporting communities affected by the war, driving reforms, strengthening local leadership, and building partnerships that bring together government, communities, and international partners.
This vision is reflected in the Gdańsk Common Message, developed by Ukrainian and international civil society organisations ahead of URC 2026. The Message calls for civil society to be recognised as a full partner in Ukraine's recovery, with a meaningful role in shaping policies and decision-making at every stage of the process.
Read and endorse the Gdańsk Common Message here: https://democracyendowment.eu/assets/Gdansk-Common-Message.pdf
These are the principles that guide ISAR Ednannia's work. At Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026, we contributed to this conversation as an organiser, partner, and participant through a series of official events.
ISAR Ednannia at URC 2026: Ukrainian Civil Society's Experience in Community Recovery
As part of the "Resilience Through Partnership: Communities Acting Together" workshop, organised by the National Project "Shoulder to Shoulder: Cohesive Communities," ISAR Ednannia's Executive Director, Volodymyr Sheihus, presented practical examples of how ISAR Ednannia and Ukrainian civil society are supporting local initiatives, strengthening communities, and contributing to recovery during the full-scale war.
During the international panel discussion, he shared how, for more than 30 years, ISAR Ednannia has been investing in community development, strengthening local civil society organisations, and building both individual and organisational capacity. Today, this experience helps communities not only respond to the challenges of war but also build a strong foundation for long-term recovery.
Read more in our full article.
Two Official URC 2026 Side Events
Delivering Europe: Public Administration Reform and Civil Society as Enablers of Ukraine's EU Accession and Recovery
Together with government representatives, civil society organizations, and international partners, we explored how public service culture, human capital, partnership, and trust can strengthen public administration and support Ukraine's path towards EU membership and recovery.
A key focus of the discussion was the role of civil society as a trusted partner in advancing public administration reform and Ukraine's European integration.
Read the key takeaways in our full article.
Recovery Generation Youth House
Together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, ISAR Ednannia co-organized Recovery Generation Youth House — a side event dedicated to the role of young people in Ukraine's recovery.
The discussions focused on youth participation in decision-making, community development, and creating opportunities that enable young people to realize their potential.
Learn more in our full article.
ISAR Ednannia Grantees at URC 2026
URC Podcast
With the support of the Askold and Dir Fund, implemented by ISAR Ednannia and , funded by Norway and Sweden, URC Podcast was launched during Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026. The series of strategic interviews and public conversations is produced by the Kateryna Osadcha Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.
The initiative aims to strengthen international advocacy for Ukrainian youth as an essential part of the country's recovery. Discussions focused on human capital development, career guidance, employment, encouraging young Ukrainians to return home, and creating new opportunities for professional growth in Ukraine.
Guests of the URC Podcast included representatives of the Ukrainian government, international institutions, businesses, and the expert community, who discussed key challenges and solutions for Ukraine's future.
Watch the interviews here.
Recovery Talks: An Evening Where Partnerships Begin
Our grantee, Recovery Window NGO, organized Recovery Talks: An Evening Where Partnerships Begin as part of URC 2026.
The event created a space for networking between international partners, donors, civil society organisations, media representatives, and practitioners working on Ukraine's recovery. Its format encouraged meaningful conversations, new connections, and partnerships that can grow into future recovery initiatives.
High-Level Roundtable on Ukrainian Media and Information Resilience
As part of the official URC 2026 programme, Recovery Window NGO also organized the High-Level Roundtable on Ukrainian Media and Information Resilience, dedicated to the role of independent media in Ukraine's recovery and European integration.
Participants explored how independent journalism, access to information, open data, and the safety of journalists contribute to accountability, public trust, and information resilience. The discussion also highlighted the importance of supporting local media and strengthening Ukraine's media sector as a key pillar of democratic recovery.
Building Partnerships for the Future
For ISAR Ednannia, URC 2026 was an opportunity to showcase the experience of Ukrainian civil society on the international stage, strengthen existing partnerships, and build new ones.
Throughout the conference, our team met with international donors, government partners, civil society organisations, and international institutions. These conversations laid the foundation for new partnerships, joint initiatives, and future collaboration to support Ukraine's recovery.
The conference also provided a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the practical role of civil society in Ukraine's recovery as a trusted partner of government, local communities, and the international community.
It is through partnerships like these that we can build a more resilient Ukraine and advance its European future.
