The URBACT Accelerator is a new dedicated learning programme supporting cities from Ukraine and Moldova in addressing urban reconstruction, revitalisation, resilience and crisis-management challenges through integrated and participatory approaches.
It is a targeted learning-and-action programme combining practical experimentation, tailored capacity-building and structured European peer exchange. Inspired by the URBACT Method, it aims to help cities turn existing priorities and strategies into concrete and feasible urban actions while strengthening institutional readiness for future EU-funded initiatives.
Three complementary tracks
The bespoke programme is structured around three interconnected tracks bringing together cities from Ukraine, Moldova and EU Member States:
- Urban Action Lab Track - selected cities from Ukraine and Moldova will receive additional support to design and implement concrete small-scale urban actions within the programme timeframe.
10 cities have been selected to participate in the Urban Action Lab Track - 7 from Ukraine and 3 from Moldova. The selected group includes 3 cities below 20,000 inhabitants, 3 cities between 20.000 and 50.000, 1 city between 100.001 and 250.000, and 3 cities above 250.000 inhabitants.
The topics to be addressed by the selected cities include public-space regeneration and placemaking, green and nature-based solutions, climate adaptation and resilience, mobility and accessibility, youth and community participation, tourism and cultural heritage, and energy transition and resilience.
- Urban Knowledge Track - providing structured learning and exchange opportunities to all participating cities through webinars, EU study trips and national-level URBACT events in Ukraine and Moldova.
40 cities from Ukraine and Moldova have been selected to take part in the Knowledge Track of the URBACT Accelerator, including the 10 cities participating in the Urban Action Lab Track.
EU Mentor City Track - experienced cities from EU Member States will contribute through peer learning, online coaching and staff exchanges, sharing practical experience related to sustainable urban development, integrated approaches and the delivery of urban actions on the ground.
The EU Mentor Cities pool includes 15 city administrations: Barcelona Metropolitan Area (ES), Municipality of Cinisello Balsamo (IT), Intermunicipal Community of Coimbra Region (PT), Granada City Council (ES), City of Graz (AT), City of Leipzig (DE), City of Munich (DE), City of Oslo (NO), Municipality of Pescara (IT), Comune di Pomarico (IT), Municipality of Saint-Quentin (FR), City of Seinäjoki (FI), Verband Region Stuttgart (DE), Unione dei Comuni Terre dell’Olio e del Sagrantino (IT) and City of Zagreb (HR).
The next step will be to match these cities with participating Ukrainian and Moldovan cities, based on their needs, thematic priorities, complementary expertise and mutual interests, creating opportunities for practical peer learning, mentoring and knowledge exchange.
Cities selected for Urban Action Lab and Knowledge Tracks
Discover the selected cities in the table below.
| City | Country | Urban Action Lab Track | Knowledge Track |
| Bubuieci Commune Municipality | Moldova | X | |
| Cahul City Hall | Moldova | X | |
| Călărași City Hall | Moldova | X | X |
| Nisporeni City Hall | Moldova | X | X |
| Ștefan Vodă Town Hall | Moldova | X | X |
| Association "Lviv Agglomeration" | Ukraine | X | |
| Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi City Council | Ukraine | X | X |
| Bobrovytsia City Council, Chernihiv Region | Ukraine | X | |
| Borodуanka Settlement Council | Ukraine | X | X |
| Boryslav City Council, Lviv Region | Ukraine | X | |
| Chernihiv City | Ukraine | X | |
| Chortkiv | Ukraine | X | |
| Chuhuiv City Council of Kharkiv Region | Ukraine | X | |
| ECO-INNOVATIVE WATER CLUSTER “LAD-SEA” / Ladyzhyn, Vinnytsia Region | Ukraine | X | |
| Executive Committee of the Novovolynsk City Council / Novovolynsk Territorial Community | Ukraine | X | |
| Executive Committee of Zhytomyr City | Ukraine | X | |
| Hlukhiv City Council | Ukraine | X | |
| Ivano-Frankivsk City Council | Ukraine | X | X |
| Kamianets-Podilskyi City Council / Kamianets-Podilskyi Urban Territorial Community | Ukraine | X | |
| Kamianske District Council, based in the city of Kamianske | Ukraine | X | |
| Kholmynska Town Council | Ukraine | X | |
| Kramatorsk City Council | Ukraine | X | |
| Kuyalnyck village territorial community | Ukraine | X | |
| Liuboml City Council | Ukraine | X | |
| Lutsk City Council | Ukraine | X | |
| Lviv | Ukraine | X | X |
| Lysets Village Council | Ukraine | X | |
| MI Agency for Local Economic Development, Kamianets-Podilskyi | Ukraine | X | |
| Municipal Agency of the Mykolaiv City Council "Mykolaiv Development Agency" | Ukraine | X | |
| Mykolaiv Youth Space "Khvylia" | Ukraine | X | X |
| Novoselytsia Town Council Chernivtsi region | Ukraine | X | X |
| Opishnia Village Council | Ukraine | X | |
| Podilsk | Ukraine | X | |
| Slavske Settlement Council (Slavske Settlement Territorial Community) | Ukraine | X | |
| Slobozhanske City Council | Ukraine | X | |
| Ternopil City Council | Ukraine | X | X |
| Vinnytsia City Territorial Community | Ukraine | X | |
| Voznesensk City Council | Ukraine | X | |
| Voznesensk City Council (Energy Communities) | Ukraine | X | |
| Znamenka | Ukraine | X |
URBACT Accelerator kicks off
The URBACT Accelerator will kick off on 1 November 2026, and the activities will run until 31 May 2028. The programme will culminate in the production of a “Bespoke Lessons Learned” publication documenting insights, practices and recommendations emerging from the experience.
By combining experimentation, capacity-building and peer exchange, the URBACT Accelerator for cities from Ukraine and Moldova aims not only to support participating cities, but also to contribute valuable knowledge for sustainable urban development across Europe.
