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05.11.2025
David O’Keeffe – Ambassador of Cities’ Friendship: A Story of Partnership Between Ukraine and the United States
The Ambassador of Cities’ Friendship Award was presented to David O’Keeffe, who helps establish Ukrainian-American partnerships. The laureate received it in Tampa, Florida, during the world’s largest conference of city managers (ICMA). It was there that Cities4Cities presented Ukrainian-American partnerships and shared the experience of Ukrainian communities with municipal leaders from around the world.
In September 2024, David O’Keeffe joined Cities4Cities as a U.S. Peace Corps Virtual Service Participant with the support of program coordinator in Ukraine Roman Oleksenko. His participation marked the beginning of a new phase of cooperation with the United States. David has since transitioned to a new role as Cities4Cities’ U.S. Partner.
“Every week, we met online with David and Roman to discuss the points of contact between cities in Ukraine and the U.S., what they could learn from each other, and how to build new partnerships,” says Svitlana Blinova, coordinator of the Cities4Cities initiative.
David helped the initiative use his knowledge, experience, and contacts to better understand the American municipal context: where to look for potential partners, how to build dialogue, and how communities can unite around shared values. This process gave rise to a comprehensive network of Ukrainian-American connections that continues to grow today.
Thanks to David O’Keeffe’s help, a partnership agreement between Cities4Cities and ICMA (International City/County Management Association) became possible. This is one of the most influential international associations, bringing together professional community managers in over 100 countries. ICMA is a strategic partner of Cities4Cities: it supports the development of municipal partnerships and the exchange of management practices.
“Ukraine–United States municipal partnerships facilitated by Cities4Cities are more than professional exchanges of experiences and best practices, they are bridges of understanding, collaboration, and solidarity. These connections enrich communities in both countries and foster lasting relationships rooted in shared values and strong local governance.
Ukraine’s courage and steadfast resolve continue to inspire me and others around the world who believe in freedom and self-determination,” said David O’Keeffe, Ambassador of Cities’ Friendship for the Cities4Cities initiative.
Thanks to the involvement of David O’Keeffe, Cities4Cities has expanded its geographical reach to include the United States. Among the partnerships that have emerged during this time are:
- Monterey (California) – Shabo (Odesa region) – cooperation in the field of local economic development and municipal management;
- Bexar County, Military and Veterans Services (Texas) – Poltava Veterans Center (Poltava region) – exchange of experience in the field of care and reintegration of veterans;
- Worcester (Massachusetts) – Kherson (Kherson region) – partnership in crisis management, security, and recovery;
- King’s School (Connecticut) – Gostomel Lyceum (Kyiv region) and School of Free and Caring (Lviv region) – educational cooperation that develops intercultural dialogue between young people of the two countries.
In addition, David O’Keeffe personally visited Ukraine recently. Together with the Cities4Cities team, he visited Lviv, Kyiv and the surrounding region, Poltava, and Mykolaiv to get to know the municipalities with which the initiative works and to see how communities live and develop even in times of war.
“It is an honor to work with Cities4Cities and Ukrainian municipal leaders. During a recent visit to Ukraine, what stood out was the resiliency of communities enduring the hardships of war, including nightly air attacks. Despite immense challenges, municipal officials are innovating public service delivery, strengthening civil society, and advancing economic development. Their perseverance is not just admirable, it’s transformational.” – David O`Keeffe.
The partnerships that Cities4Cities is implementing today demonstrate that international cooperation is always about equal partnerships and friendship. In this work, David O’Keeffe has become a true ambassador of trust and professional solidarity between communities.
The Ambassador of Cities’ Friendship Award, established by Cities4Cities in 2024, is designed to recognize people who expand the network of solidarity between communities and help Ukraine develop sustainable international ties.
The first laureates were Edward Mayor (France), founder of Stand with Ukraine NGO, and Martin Aßmuth (Germany), mayor of Hofstetten, who initiated more than ten Ukrainian-German partnerships.
It should be noted that the Cities4Cities municipal partnership initiative between Ukraine and the United States is being implemented in partnership with the ЗMIN Foundation, ICMA, Razom for Ukraine, and Open World.