Comprehensive community recovery: new Ukrainian reconstruction model presented at URC 2026

As part of URC 2026, a panel discussion titled “Comprehensive Community Recovery: Build Back Better” took place. The event was dedicated to modern approaches to rebuilding Ukraine, developing local self-government, and leveraging cutting-edge digital technologies for strategic planning.

According to the latest RDNA5 assessment, Ukraine’s recovery needs already exceed €588 billion and continue to rise due to ongoing Russian aggression. Under these conditions, traditional planning approaches are no longer effective — the state requires a fundamentally new model based on the global Build Back Better principle.

AI Cube and Reconstruction Intelligence Platform

A major technological breakthrough at URC 2026 was the presentation of innovative digital tools introduced by the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development to manage reconstruction processes. Panel participants were introduced to AI Cube and the Reconstruction Intelligence Platform — a pilot digital product with integrated artificial intelligence (AI) designed for planning comprehensive community recovery.

The platform fundamentally transforms the speed and quality of investment project development:

• Deep data integration: The system aggregates and analyzes information from 47 state databases, factoring in current Ukrainian legislation, international reconstruction standards, and EU directives.
• Smart modeling: Based on extensive data arrays, AI independently models optimal territorial development scenarios, forecasts infrastructure needs, and helps identify the most effective funding sources.
• Tremendous time savings: While preparing a comprehensive city recovery scenario previously took 2 to 3 years, using AI reduces this process to just a few hours.
• Turnkey investor solutions: The platform automatically calculates municipal needs for housing, roads, engineering networks, energy, and social facilities, generating turnkey investment projects for donors and private business.

The role of decentralization and human capital

Panel participants specifically emphasized that the decentralization reform served as the foundation of Ukraine’s resilience. It created communities capable of making swift decisions, mobilizing internal resources, and ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of public services even during a full-scale war.

At the same time, the updated model for comprehensive recovery focuses not only on attracting infrastructure investment, but also on human capital development. Children, youth, and families remain at the core of this approach, as decisions made by communities today will define the quality of life for future generations.

The Ministry for Communities and Territories Development continues to implement this comprehensive approach, combining digitalization, strategic planning, and active partnerships with international financial institutions. The goal of the model is to ensure the creation of significantly stronger, safer, more energy-efficient, and competitive communities than they were before the war.

This material was prepared with the support of the European Union and the International Renaissance Foundation within the framework of the joint initiative “Entering the EU Together.” The material represents the views of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the position of the European Union or the International Renaissance Foundation.