Peterborough County has formally twinned with Drohobych urban hromada in western Ukraine, creating a new international partnership intended to foster economic, cultural, educational, and community ties.
A hromada is the basic unit of local self-government and administrative division in Ukraine, similar to a municipality in Canada, with urban hromada indicating the seat of the municipality is in a city.
Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark and Drohobych mayor Taras Kuchma signed the agreement Wednesday morning (October 14) during a ceremony in council chambers at the Peterborough County Courthouse in downtown Peterborough, which was also attended by Ukraine’s ambassador to Canada, Andrii Plakhotniuk, and Peterborough MP Emma Harrison.
Following the signing, the two municipalities marked the partnership by planting a commemorative white birch tree outside the courthouse and raising the Ukrainian flag.
“Today marks the beginning of a meaningful relationship between our communities,” Warden Clark said.
“This twinning agreement reflects our shared commitment to cooperation, resilience, and mutual learning. We are proud to stand alongside the people of Ukraine and look forward to creating opportunities for cultural exchange, economic collaboration and lasting friendships that will benefit residents in both Peterborough County and Drohobych for years to come.”
According to a media release from the county, the agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in economic development, agriculture and agri-food, tourism, manufacturing, education, healthcare, sports, arts and culture, and youth engagement.
The two municipalities also plan to exchange expertise and best practices in local government and encourage connections among businesses, institutions, community organizations, and residents.
Drohobych urban hromada is located in the Lviv region of western Ukraine, about 75 kilometres from the Polish border.
The municipality includes the cities of Drohobych and Stebnyk along with 32 villages — including Nahuievychi, the birthplace of renowned Ukrainian poet and writer Ivan Franko — and has a total population of approximately 123,000, which is almost twice the population of Peterborough County.
The historic city of Drohobych, the municipality’s administrative and economic centre, traces its development to the salt trade, with the first written reference of the city dating back to the 14th century.
Salt remains closely tied to the city’s identity, with its historic saltworks — considered the oldest in Europe — continuing a tradition that stretches back centuries. Drohobych later became an important centre of the oil industry following the discovery and development of petroleum deposits in the surrounding region during the 19th century.
Mayor Kuchma said the agreement is intended to develop relationships extending well beyond the two municipal governments.
“True friendship does not begin with a signature on paper, but with trust, human contact, and a common desire to be there,” Kuchma said.
“We strive for this partnership to unite people, municipalities, businesses, public organizations, youth and our veterans.”
Kuchma said having partners in Canada is particularly significant while Ukraine continues to endure Russia’s invasion.
“It is extremely important for the Drohobych community to have friends in Canada who not only support Ukraine but are also ready to work with us to build a better future,” he said.
“We are not just signing an agreement — we are building a bridge between Ukraine and Canada that will serve our communities today and long after our victory.”
Ambassador Plakhotniuk also welcomed the partnership, describing direct connections between Canadian and Ukrainian municipalities as an important way to exchange knowledge and develop cooperation.
“This partnership creates a practical framework for sharing expertise and developing cooperation in education, culture, economic development, health care, local governance and other areas of mutual interest,” Plakhotniuk said.
“At a time when Ukraine continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, such community-to-community partnerships are especially valuable, helping build lasting connections and opening new opportunities for cooperation that will benefit people in both Ukraine and Canada.”
The twinning agreement between Peterborough County and Drohobych urban hromada followed consultations with the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada, Ontario’s Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Canada-Ukraine Twin Cities Initiative.
According to the county, Drohobych was identified as a suitable partner because of similarities in size and shared interests in agriculture, economic development, tourism, community services, and international cooperation.
Over the coming months, the county plans to work with local municipalities, businesses, educational institutions, cultural organizations, and other community groups to identify potential projects and exchanges.
The county may also establish a community working group to help develop short- and long-term initiatives between the two municipalities.
“One of the greatest strengths of local government is its ability to bring people together,” Clark said.
“This partnership creates opportunities for our communities to learn from one another, build lasting relationships, and explore new avenues for economic, cultural and educational growth.”
Following Wednesday morning’s signing ceremony, officials planted a commemorative white birch at the courthouse. The county said the species, which is native both to Canada and Ukraine, was selected to represent renewal, resilience, and new beginnings. A plaque beside the tree identifies it as a “Tree of Friendship and Cooperation.”
The Ukrainian flag was also raised at the courthouse to recognize the new partnership.
