Prior to the 2025 ICMA Annual Conference, ICMA members from the Lviv City Council in Ukraine engaged in global knowledge exchange with ICMA members and staff from Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa. This exchange resulted in lessons learned and helped foster connections between the municipalities that will remain beyond the exchange, despite being located thousands of miles apart and in very different environments. 

Best Practice Exchange

During the meetings with both organizations, the Lviv City Council delegation was able to learn best practices on a variety of topics including emergency management, education, health services, cybersecurity, infrastructure, veterans’ services, and overall local government management. The meetings were a true exchange as each side was able to share something that they had done well, allowing all groups to learn from one another and take the practices back to their communities. One example of this was a discussion on emergency alert systems. Hillsborough County demonstrated their emergency alert system, which warns residents about severe weather conditions, evacuation notices, major road closures, and more. In exchange, Lviv City Council members shared information about their air raid alert application. While the uses are different, the technology behind the systems is quite similar and the groups were able to find common ground for discussion. 

Additionally, it was discovered that Ukrainian local governments are facing some of the same issues that U.S. local governments are trying to solve—aging infrastructure, lack of affordable housing, and issues with disaster recovery. While the governments are operating under very different conditions, the problems remain the same and the solutions to these challenges are often found in unexpected places. 

Tampa staff expressed admiration for the development of Lviv’s Unbroken humanitarian ecosystem projects, which unite about 20 different projects and provide resources for veterans and their families in such areas as medical treatment, prosthetics, physical and psychological rehabilitation, housing, and reintegration.  Beyond sharing best practices, participants made lasting connections that will help improve local governments in both the United States and Ukraine. Participants plan to remain in contact, and some are exploring partnership options regarding cultural, educational, youth, and innovation initiatives, as well as in the development of veteran policy programs. These areas reflect shared values and priorities for all involved. 

Importance of Global Partnerships

Marta Rudnytska, director, Secretariat Department, Lviv City Council, notes the value in global partnerships:

“I strongly believe that the more truly active and practical partnerships cities develop, the stronger they become. Real collaboration— through shared projects, regular communication, and mutual support—helps cities grow more resilient, innovative, and connected to the global community.”

Hillsborough County and Tampa staff members agree. Carl Harness, chief human services administrator, Hillsborough County, notes, “We found our time with the city of Lviv delegation to be very valuable and life changing. I think these visits could be more formalized before the conference.”

Ocea Wynn, administrator of neighborhood and community affairs, Tampa, says, “Global knowledge exchanges strengthen municipal leaders' capacities to collaborate across borders, learn from other successful global city models, and develop innovative approaches to lead within local complexities of local government by expanding professional networks. I highly recommend municipal government leaders take advantage of global knowledge exchanges.” 
 

The Way Forward

Cities across Ukraine, including Lviv, are looking to develop their city-to-city partnerships around the world. These partnerships allow local government staff to exchange best practices and help contribute to the rebuilding of Ukrainian cities.  ICMA strategic ally, Cities4Cities, helps create partnerships between Ukrainian cities and other cities around the world. If your city is interested in hosting a visiting delegation, participating in virtual discussions, or developing a city-to-city partnership, contact global@icma.org to get involved.