Ukraine’s recovery and EU integration are unfolding amid conditions of war, placing Ukrainian municipalities at the centre of implementing climate and reconstruction policies. This article examines municipal readiness for EU-funded climate initiatives, drawing on evidence from the Horizon Europe–funded project Ukraine towards Carbon Neutrality. The analysis highlights how cities continue to advance climate strategies, develop project pipelines, and engage in international cooperation despite wartime constraints. While strategic alignment with European climate policy is progressing, limited municipal financing and uneven institutional capacity remain key barriers.
European institutions and international partners have repeatedly emphasised that Ukraine’s recovery should follow a ‘build back better’ principle
