✉️News Digest July 2024
IN FOCUS
Belgium partners with UNDP to invest EUR 9 million in Ukraine's Green Energy Recovery Programme
The UNDP has announced a significant partnership with the Government of Belgium, marked by the signing of financing agreements totalling EUR 9 million. This vital contribution will support the UNDP Green Energy Recovery Programme in Ukraine, which aims to address urgent energy needs arising from the ongoing crisis. The funding from Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium will facilitate the repair and reconstruction of critical energy facilities, ensuring the continuation of essential services for millions of Ukrainians.
EU and UNDP restore Mykolaiv Higher School of Physical Education, famous for nurturing Olympic champions
The Mykolaiv Higher School of Physical Education has opened its doors for the first time in three years, following extensive renovations supported by the European Union and the UNDP. The revitalisation, part of a joint initiative by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, has allowed 308 students and 92 teachers to resume face-to-face learning, which is vital for professional athletes.
WHAT'S NEW
UNDP and Belgium strengthen partnership for mine action in Ukraine
The UNDP has signed a financing agreement worth EUR 1 million with the Government of Belgium for the implementation of the UNDP’s Mine Action Project in Ukraine. Belgium’s contribution to the Mine Action Project will be pivotal in enhancing the safety and security of communities affected by explosive ordnance, supporting humanitarian mine action, and fostering a safer environment for economic and social development in Ukraine.
UNDP collaborates with FAO and WFP to test innovative demining technologies in Kharkiv Oblast
The UNDP is partnering with the World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization to test cutting-edge demining technologies in the previously occupied community of Kamianka in Kharkiv Oblast. The initiative is being implemented under the leadership of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko and with the support of Croatia, France, Malta, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
UNDP enhances rehabilitation services in Ukraine with advanced equipment handover
The UNDP has officially handed over advanced rehabilitation equipment to the UNBROKEN Ukraine centres in Lviv, marking a significant enhancement in the rehabilitation services available to those affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine. The newly provided equipment, including a high-tech robotic milling machine and limb scanners for the Prosthetics and Orthotics Centre, along with specialised eye prosthetic kits for St. Luke’s Hospital, is set to revolutionize patient care. This rehabilitation equipment was procured with funding from the Governments of the Republic of Korea and Germany.
Bucha City residents to get access to ambulatory rehabilitation services thanks to EU and UNDP
The first rehabilitation department providing ambulatory services has opened in Bucha. The department will provide services to all citizens, including war veterans, children with disabilities, people with injuries, people recovering from surgery or strokes, and people with musculoskeletal impairments and neurological conditions. The Mayors for Economic Growth project in Bucha financed the purchase of rehabilitation equipment, advanced training for a physical therapist, and cosmetic repairs for the newly created department.
Ukraine: EU bank helps improve water supply for war-torn Bucha
Around 9,000 residents in the Kyiv suburban town of Bucha now have access to quality drinking water thanks to the renovation of its water supply facility, which was damaged during the Russian invasion. The facility now features de-ironing technology, significantly reducing environmental risks and health hazards.
The renovation was carried out under the Ukraine Recovery Programme by the European Investment Bank (EIB) , in partnership with the European Union, Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine , Ministry of Finance of Ukraine , the Kyiv Regional State Administration, and the UNDP, which provided technical assistance.
UNDP and EU delegations conduct joint mission to assess progress of projects in Ukraine
Officials from UNDP and the European Union, headed by UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, Jaco Cilliers , and Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation, Stefan Schleuning, on 28-31 July conducted a joint mission to Odesa, Mykolaiv and Dnipro oblasts to inspect the progress made in EU-UNDP joint projects – on infrastructure rehabilitation, public service support, veteran support, and water supply, among many others.
UNDP and Yokohama partner to restore social infrastructure in Odesa
The UNDP and the city of Yokohama in Japan have partnered to address growing local needs for recovery and reconstruction assistance in Ukraine, particularly in Odesa and its neighbouring areas. This partnership also aims to strengthen the bond between Yokohama, Odesa, and the people of Japan and Ukraine. The city of Yokohama and the UNDP will initiate their cooperation by supporting the restoration of Kindergarten No. 141, which was damaged in a Russian missile attack.
Values and rights of importance for Ukrainians in times of war: survey results
The UNDP, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and in partnership with Human Rights Centre ZMINA , have released the results of a survey on Ukrainians’ knowledge of human rights and how they assess respect for human rights. The survey was conducted by Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation in 2023. This is the fourth round of the nationwide survey into the evolution of attitudes to, and understanding of, human rights in Ukraine since 2016.
UNDP releases third batch of SHARP results
The UNDP in Ukraine has released the third batch of results from its SHARP research tool for assessing Ukrainians’ level of resilience in conditions of full-scale war. According to the research, social cohesion remains strong with no major changes since 2023, and 73% of Ukrainians feel responsible for the country’s future. High trust levels persist in the army, State Emergency Service, and NGOs, with 63% trusting the president.
SHARP was designed and deployed by the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU) , in cooperation with Centre for Sustainable Peace and Democratic Development (SeeD), the USAID-funded Democratic Governance East (DG East), USAID’s Transformation Communications Activity (TCA), and the UNDP. The key results from SHARP can be found here.
EU and UNDP transfer six more mobile administrative service centre vehicles to communities in Ukraine
The European Union and the UNDP, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, have transferred six more mobile administrative service centre (ASC) vehicles to territorial communities in Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts. A mobile ASC is an office on wheels, fully equipped with essential infrastructure and communication facilities to support a professional team of administrators. Their design ensures accessibility for all, featuring user-friendly entry points and assistive devices for older visitors and people with disabilities.
Sweden supports the first veteran policy forum in Chernivtsi Oblast
The first veteran policy forum event, which has been held in Chernivtsi Oblast, brought together more than 100 participants, enabling those responsible for implementing veterans' policies to establish links. The forum was attended by national, regional and local authorities, parliamentarians, civil society, veterans and their families.
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The forum's purpose was to share the best veteran policy practices at national, regional, and community levels; promote partnerships; develop veteran communities in Chernivtsi Oblast; and discuss policies to rehabilitate and reintegrate veterans to facilitate their employment and comprehensive adaptation to civilian life. The event was organized by the UNDP and the Chernivtsi Oblast State Administration, and was funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine through the Swedish International Development Agency Sida .
EU and UNDP provide support to veteran reintegration forum in Zakarpattia Oblast
The UNDP and the European Union have supported a regional forum dedicated to exploring opportunities for the reintegration of veterans at community level. The event was held in Uzhhorod at the initiative of the Zakarpattia Oblast Administration. The forum brought together veterans, veteran public organizations, representatives of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine and local authorities to discuss reintegration opportunities and define the role of communities in this process.
UNDP supports key meeting on inclusivity in Ukraine amidst wartime challenges
The UNDP, with financial support from the Government of Sweden, has backed a key meeting of the Council on Human Rights, Gender Equality, and Diversity at The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine . The event brought together national and international stakeholders. The event underscored the difficulties and advancements in fostering an inclusive and barrier-free environment in Ukraine, while stressing the need for international support and collaboration. It served as a forum to discuss best practices and their potential application in Ukraine.
UNDP in Ukraine concluded training sessions on community recovery and development projects
The UNDP concluded a training course for local self-government representatives from 10 communities participating in a pilot project for local recovery planning. The course was organised in collaboration with the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, with financial support from Japan - The Government of Japan . During the 11-day training course, which consisted of three modules, participants not only acquired new practical skills but also developed a portfolio of community recovery and development projects.
Civil servants from 12 regions of Ukraine trained in basics of web accessibility
Five hundred employees of the executive authorities and local self-government bodies from 12 regions of Ukraine have undergone training on the basics of web accessibility organised by the UNDP in partnership with Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine , with funding from Sweden. Representatives of government institutions that create content and administer web resources were trained in writing texts, creating videos, and producing other content for websites that is accessible to all people, including those who are blind and use special assistive technologies such as screen readers.
STORIES
Driving Ambitions
In the war-torn town of Snihurivka, 70 kilometres from the frontline city of Mykolaiv, a groundbreaking initiative is training seven women as tractor drivers – a role traditionally dominated by men. This effort, supported by UNDP and Embassy of Denmark in Ukraine , is part of a larger strategy to address the severe shortage of agricultural workers caused by the ongoing war. Read more
VIDEOS
First Interview
The UNDP in Ukraine organized a first-ever series of interviews for three motivated high school students from different cities in Ukraine who dream of becoming journalists. Daryna from Kharkiv, Kostiantyn from Kherson, and Diana from the city of Borzna in Chernihiv Oblast were among the winners of the All-Ukrainian student video contest "Reporter," organized in the fall of 2023 by the “Filter” National Media Literacy Project of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, which was supported by the UNDP in Ukraine and funded by the Government of Japan.
15-year-old Diana from Chernihiv Oblast and Uliana Pcholkina
In her first interview, Diana asked social activist, TV presenter, and deputy chair of the Board of the NGO "Active Rehabilitation Group" Uliana Pcholkina, who works with people with spinal cord injuries:
Find out the answers to these and other questions in the video interview!
UNDP and Japan helped clear debris from 80 houses in Chernihiv Oblast
Novoselivka was one of the hardest-hit villages in Chernihiv Oblast during the full-scale Russian invasion. Though 90% of the village's buildings are heavily damaged, residents are staying put, pooling their efforts for recovery.
We gathered testimonials from locals in December 2023, coinciding with the launch of recovery efforts in Chernihiv Oblast under a UNDP project funded by the Government of Japan. Following non-technical surveys to ensure safety from explosive ordnance, the UNDP arranged for the sorting and removal of 47,000 tons of demolition waste from Novoselivka and 23 other settlements in Chernihiv Oblast, paving the way for the region's reconstruction.
How Irpin is restoring its waste management system
Restoring the waste management system was one of the enormous challenges facing Irpin and other communities in Kyiv Oblast after their occupation was ended in 2022. With support from the European Union and the Government of Japan, the UNDP in Ukraine provided 25 modern waste trucks to 12 communities in Kyiv Oblast. The provision of such equipment is not only helps restore the waste management systems, but also supports the ambitions of communities for a greener future.
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