The Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 in Gdańsk took place at a challenging moment. Despite this, the event remained firmly focused on what mattered most: Ukraine’s reconstruction, investment, and long-term resilience.

With more than 7,000 participants from governments, international organizations, financial institutions, businesses, municipalities, and civil society, URC 2026 once again demonstrated that rebuilding Ukraine is a shared international effort.

Representing Ukraine2Power, our Co-Founder and CEO, Nataliia Fiebrig, and Head of Communications, Dr. Liudmyla Kvirenko, participated in URC 2026 and its side events, bringing the perspective of Ukrainian civil society into discussions while strengthening relationships and building new connections.

A clear theme emerged throughout the event: energy is no longer just one aspect of reconstruction, it is one of its foundations.

After another extremely difficult winter, the discussion has shifted from repairing damaged infrastructure to building a new energy system based on decentralized generation, diversified energy sources, battery energy storage systems (BESS), digital technologies, and stronger protection against physical and cyber threats.

Battery storage is no longer simply an addition to renewable energy projects. It has become an essential element of a modern power system, providing the flexibility and stability needed to keep critical infrastructure operating during disruptions. Ukraine’s experience is increasingly relevant as countries across Europe seek to strengthen their own energy resilience.

At the official UNDP Green Energy Recovery Programme side event, Nataliia Fiebrig represented the voice of Ukrainian civil society, highlighting how organizations like Ukraine2Power connect local realities with international decision-makers and transform solidarity into long-term cooperation.

Another clear message throughout the event was that civil society is indispensable to Ukraine’s reconstruction, helping connect communities, public institutions, businesses, and international partners to turn recovery strategies into local action.

We also joined discussions across the Energy Platform and the EU Dimension, including a session hosted by our partners at the Ukraine Facility Platform on how municipalities can build effective local energy mixes through cooperation with the private sector.

For Ukraine2Power, one message stood out: recovery starts in communities. Energy resilience means building the systems that keep schools open, hospitals operational, and essential services running, creating the conditions that enable people to remain in their hometowns.

We leave Gdańsk with new ideas, stronger relationships, and renewed motivation to turn dialogue into concrete projects. Because recovery starts in communities and resilient communities start with resilient energy.