A structured twinning methodology was developed and implemented within U_CAN to support technical exchange between Ukrainian cities and EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities (CNSC) Mission Cities. Six Ukrainian cities (Lviv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Vinnytsia) were matched with six CNSC Mission Cities (Dresden, Leipzig, Bratislava, Košice, Thessaloniki, and Wrocław). The methodology was operationalised through three CNSC Synergy Workshops, more than 20 bilateral city-to-city meetings, and five thematic technical workshops, enabling focused exchanges on governance approaches, sectoral solutions, planning instruments, and implementation challenges.
A core technical activity focused on the identification of key sectors for climate action in Ukraine. Through policy analysis, literature review, and structured input from pilot cities, priority sectors were identified, including energy systems, heating and cooling, transport and mobility, industry, waste management, green infrastructure, and nature-based solutions. This sectoral mapping provides a consolidated technical basis for climate transition planning in the Ukrainian context.
The project further advanced the development of climate-neutrality indicators tailored to Ukrainian pilot cities and pilot activities. A preliminary indicator framework was defined and reviewed with pilot city representatives to support the assessment and monitoring of climate actions, taking into account data availability, institutional capacity, and local conditions.
Substantial technical work was carried out on the modernisation and standardisation of technologies and practices relevant to climate-neutral transition and post-war reconstruction in Ukraine. A comprehensive analysis of the European and international standardisation landscape was completed, screening and consolidating a large body of relevant standards into a structured reference set applicable to climate-neutral cities. This work was complemented by the establishment of a formal liaison with CEN Technical Committee 465 (Sustainable and Smart Cities and Communities), strengthening alignment with ongoing European standardisation processes.
In parallel, applied research on industrial decarbonisation and renewable energy was advanced, including assessments of emission sources, renewable energy potential, and the economic feasibility of key technologies. Concrete methodologies were developed for selective demolition, recovery and reuse of building components, recycling of construction materials, and the energy-efficient renovation and adaptive reuse of buildings, supported by parametric analysis, GIS-based methods, and co-creation with Ukrainian pilot cities. In addition, frameworks for scenario planning and citizen participation were designed and tested, enabling Ukrainian cities to assess readiness, engage stakeholders, and embed climate-neutrality considerations into local governance.
