✉️News Digest October 2024
IN FOCUS
Norway and UNDP strengthen partnership to accelerate Ukraine's energy recovery
With Norwegian financial support totalling NOK 1.1 billion ($105 million), this partnership will ensure power generating capacity in Ukraine is restored, with direct support to key regions in Ukraine. This contribution from Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will significantly mitigate the impact of ongoing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
In new report, UNDP unveils innovative financing approaches for mine action in Ukraine
In an effort to address the critical funding gap for mine action in Ukraine, UNDP has released a comprehensive report titled "Enhancing Mine Action Finance in Ukraine." Commissioned with support from the governments of the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, the report explores novel financing solutions aimed at advancing Ukraine's national mine action strategy.
WHAT'S NEW
Ukraine presents art project in Switzerland on impact of demining on lives of Ukrainians and on global food security
The Soul of Soil project, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about the problem of landmine and unexploded ordnance contamination in Ukraine, was launched at the Ukraine Mine Action Conference #UMAC2024, in Lausanne, Switzerland. This joint initiative by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine , Yulia Svyrydenko , UNDP, the Moim.Ridnym social enterprise, and Ukrainian chef and influencer Olga Martynovska, uses culinary arts to highlight the devastating impact of landmines not just on Ukraine's economy, but on global food security as well.
UNDP's Haoliang Xu visits Ukraine to hold consultations and boost partnerships
Following his participation in the Ukraine Mine Action Conference in Switzerland, Haoliang Xu , United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Associate Administrator made a three-day visit to Ukraine, holding consultations and boosting partnerships for Ukraine’s recovery and development even amidst war.
Made in Ukraine Business Forum, largest business event of the autumn, held in Kyiv
The Made in Ukraine Business Forum, an event designed to provide Ukrainian entrepreneurs with deeper insights into the “Made in Ukraine” national policy, has been held in Kyiv. The event was organized by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School, with financial support from Japan - The Government of Japan .
The event was a platform for experience sharing among entrepreneurs, investors, and government representatives. Entrepreneurs attending the forum were also able to showcase their products at a trade fair, attend workshops by leading business professionals, find new partners, and sign agreements in the forum’s business-to-business (B2B) negotiation zone.
Find out more about the Made in Ukraine Business Forum in this video.
Government of Germany and UNDP rebuild 11 war-affected educational institutions in Ukraine
UNDP, with financial support from the Government of Germany, is to renovate 11 schools in Kirovohrad, Lviv, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi and Cherkasy oblasts. The “Repair of Schools in War-Affected Areas” project also includes furnishing. The planned repairs include the restoration of premises damaged due to the hostilities and the replacement of systems that have malfunctioned.
Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia: Three business facilities opened under a joint project of Germany and UNDP
The first three facilities created under the Support to Rapid Economic Recovery of Ukrainian Municipalities (SRER) project have opened in three Ukrainian cities. The opening ceremonies were attended by representatives of GIZ Ukraine and UNDP, which are jointly implementing the project.
The SRER project aims to achieve the recovery of local economies in Ukrainian municipalities by ensuring swift repairs and improvements to basic and business infrastructure. The availability of and access to such infrastructure is essential for the survival and development of micro-, small-, and medium-sized businesses.
UNDP launches Universal Design School to drive inclusive recovery in Ukraine
UNDP has launched the Universal Design School, which is aimed at contributing to the inclusive recovery of Ukraine by focusing on accessibility when rebuilding. In addition to hands-on project work, the Universal Design School offers an educational programme that includes workshops, lectures, and case studies led by experts in accessibility and inclusion. The Universal Design School was set up with the financial support from Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine .
UNDP and partners expand job opportunities for veterans with disabilities in mine action sector
UNDP, with support from the Government of the Netherlands and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, is expanding job opportunities for veterans with disabilities by facilitating their involvement in the mine action sector.
A recently concluded training course specializing in the use of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and image analysis for humanitarian mine action saw immediate success: Four out of 10 individuals, all of whom were affected by explosive ordnance, were offered jobs at the international mine clearing organization the HALO Trust.
UNDP conducts training on employment of persons with disabilities in mine action
UNDP, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and with the financial support of the Government of Sweden, has hosted a specialized seminar titled “Equal Opportunities: Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Mine Action.” The event gathered key stakeholders from governmental bodies, international organizations, mine action operators, and civil society to discuss practical solutions for creating inclusive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in Ukraine’s mine action sector.
UNDP launches Intersectoral Task Force Group on Ukraine’s National Victim Assistance Action Plan
Marking a significant milestone in Ukraine’s post-war recovery efforts, UNDP, with financial support from the governments of Sweden and France, has initiated the development of a National Action Plan on Explosive Ordnance (EO) Victim Assistance.
The move is a response to the urgent need for a cohesive national approach, UNDP said. It has established an Intersectoral Task Force Group to lead the coordination and development of this plan, ensuring that Ukraine’s victim assistance efforts are comprehensive, inclusive, and aligned with international standards.
Ukrainian specialists showcase humanitarian demining innovations at Security 2.0 forum
UNDP, supported by the governments of the Netherlands, Sweden, and Japan, participated in the "Security 2.0: Humanitarian Demining" forum and exhibition, which discussed innovative demining solutions. The forum brought together key industry players and featured thematic presentations from ministries, private enterprises, and NGOs highlighting the importance of developing new approaches to clearing land of the explosive remnants of war.
Japan and UNDP launch a series of short-term vocational courses in Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv oblasts
UNDP, with financial support from the Government of Japan, has organized a series of two-to-four-week vocational courses to reskill adults in Kyiv, Odesa and Kharkiv oblasts. All nine vocations are technical professions, which meet the needs of the local labour market and are critically important for the country’s reconstruction.
Finding the balance between information access and national security
UNDP and the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, held an international conference called “Balancing Access to Information and National Security – Lessons from Ukraine During Armed Conflicts.”
At the event, national and international experts on access to information, government representatives, civil society members, and journalists discussed international standards and best practices for finding a balance between the right to information and national security in times of war.
Kyiv hosts first ‘City on the Wave’ international conference on Mykolaiv’s recovery and transformation
Kyiv has hosted the first “Mykolaiv – City on the Wave” international conference dedicated to the prospects for the sustainable recovery and systemic transformation of the city’s economy. The conference was organised by Mykolaiv City Council, in cooperation with the Ukrainian Association of Business Support Centres and with the support of Mykolaiv Oblast State Administration.
The event was held within the framework of the EU-funded Mayors for Economic Growth facility, and was supported by the "Innovation Facility 2.0" project funded by the Kingdom of Denmark. Both projects are being implemented by UNDP.
Helping young people drive positive change
Ukraine’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and the All-Ukrainian Youth Centre, in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation and UNDP, have presented a new educational video course as part of the Youth Worker programme for all those working in the field of youth policy. The educational series, titled “Youth Work: From Theory to Practice,” contains knowledge and tools that will help new professionals in the field develop the potential of young people and engage them in civic activities in their communities.
Over 700 participants, 24 communities, and 15 oblasts of Ukraine take part in VidNOVA:UA Programme in 2024
The results of the VidNOVA:UA programme in 2024, which for three years has actively involved young people in volunteer activities for Ukraine's restoration, youth exchanges, and the renovation of youth spaces in Ukrainian communities, were presented at a press conference in Kyiv on 17 October.
Recommended by LinkedIn
The VidNOVA:UA programme is implemented by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, the All-Ukrainian Youth Centre and UNDP, in partnership with the Youth Centre of Volyn NGO, and with funding from the governments of Denmark and Japan.
EU, UNDP, and UNFPA support launch of new Community Resilience Centre in Kremenchuk
A new Community Resilience Centre has opened in Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast as a result of the collaborative efforts of UNDP and the UNFPA, with financial support from the European Union. The centre is set to become a key platform for fostering youth initiatives, while also offering much-needed support to women and persons with disabilities.
The centre will organize a range of events to raise awareness of legal issues, improve access to social services, foster youth involvement in volunteering, and promote the reintegration of veterans and their families. It will also provide employment services and opportunities for professional retraining.
UNDP and partners establish 30 Social Adaptation Spaces to strengthen local-level social services
UNDP, in partnership with the European Union and the governments of Canada and Sweden, has opened 30 Social Adaptation Spaces in Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Chernivtsi and Chernihiv oblasts. These facilities are safe spaces that bring together community residents and help them to adapt to new life circumstances and the challenges of war.
UNDP and partners deliver 10 vehicles for providing mobile services in war-affected communities
UNDP, with support from the European Union and the governments of Canada and Denmark, and in partnership with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, has delivered 10 specially equipped vehicles to enhance recovery and development at the local level in Ukraine. These vehicles will support health care and social services in Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.
Watch a video about vehicle delivery via the link.
EU, Denmark and UNDP transfer vehicles for National Police to strengthen mobile teams to combat domestic and gender-based violence
The European Union, the Government of Denmark and UNDP handed over nine new vehicles for National Police of Ukraine mobile groups for their work in Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts (in territories under the control of the Government of Ukraine).
The newly provided vehicles will significantly increase the police teams’ mobility and responsiveness, contributing to rapid interventions, enhanced security and essential support for people facing violence in their communities.
Ukrainian women specialists enhance leadership skills via programme run by UNDP, Sweden, and CDTO Campus
Nineteen participants of a leadership programme for women involved in the digitalisation of the public sector have completed a week-long training course in Sweden. The women leaders studied Sweden's best digital practices, including in the areas of public governance, health care, promoting digital accessibility, and open data.
The specialists also talked about the experience of Ukrainian digital transformation, and the introduction of new products in Ukraine’s Diia e-governance platform in the fields of social services and healthcare. The educational visit to Sweden was organized by UNDP, with the financial support of Sweden together with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and CDTO Campus and in partnership with Linköping University teachers.
GEF and UNDP support parliamentary hearings on restoring biodiversity
The Ukrainian Parliament’s Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management has endorsed key recommendations for restoring Ukraine’s biodiversity and developing the country’s protected natural reserves. The recommendations were drafted following committee hearings supported by UNDP under the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support project, which is funded by Global Environment Facility – a multilateral environmental protection fund.
New book on marine diversity ‘My Friend the Black Sea’ presented on International Black Sea Day
A book for the general public, titled “My Friend the Black Sea” was presented in Odesa on the occasion of International Black Sea Day. This publication is partly a translation of Yuvenaliy Zaytsev’s renowned work “Your Friend the Sea” updated with current research and with augmented reality features showcasing underwater life. The book also addresses for the first time the main impacts of the war on the Black Sea.
This publication was made possible due to support from the EU-UNDP funded project “European Union for Improving Environmental Monitoring of the Black Sea” (EU4EMBLAS), the findings of which are included in the book.
Values and rights of importance for Ukrainians: study | Insight in seconds
How has the war affected Ukrainians' perceptions of values and human rights? Which methods of protecting rights are considered most effective? What is seen as the driving force of Ukrainian society, and why does this signal its maturity? Together with experts, we sought answers to these questions in a national survey titled "What Ukrainians Know and Think About Human Rights: Progress Study 2016–2023," which was conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation in collaboration with UNDP, with support from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and in partnership with the ZMINA Human Rights Centre.
OPPORTUNITIES
OUR PUBLICATIONS
VIDEOS
Rebuilding hope: Ukrainian couple return to community after war destroys home
Vira and her husband had almost finished renovating their home when the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Their property in previously occupied Borodianka, just outside the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, was hit by a shell and their home damaged beyond repair. UNDP and UNHCR partnered to clear the site of explosives and debris, and provided temporary accommodation for the couple. Now they are back in their community, tending their flourishing garden that provides them with much of their food, and starting to rebuild their lives.
Labour of Love: Women in Ukrainian social project build self-worth with handicraft skills
About 25 women from villages in Sumy Oblast, a war-affected border region of Ukraine, are taking part in the Moim.Ridnym (“To the loved ones”) social project, using their handicraft skills to express their creativity and feel needed, as well as to earn a little extra money. In this video, four of the women explain why they stayed in their home villages in the face of war, and tell of their dreams for when peace returns to their homeland.
Soul of Soil: Culinary creation from demined land raises awareness of landmine issue in Ukraine
Ukrainian celebrity chef, influencer and volunteer Olga Martynovska has created a unique appetizer using ingredients grown on demined farmland in Ukraine. In this video, she travels to a previously occupied part of Ukraine and meets some of those working to restore cultivation in war-affected areas. Their stories helped inspire her culinary creation for the Soul of Soil project, which is designed to raise awareness about landmine contamination in Ukraine.
Public officials learned web accessibility basics on UNDP training
A two-day training course on web accessibility has been held in Rivne, Dnipro, and Cherkasy, with residents from nine other regions participating online. The course taught representatives of state and self-governance institutions how to make their web resources more accessible to all users. The training was organised by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, with funding from Sweden.
How Digital Education Hub libraries teach Ukrainians digital skills
A network of about 4,000 public spaces operates across the country and enables people to learn how to use computers, smartphones and the Internet free of charge. Since 2021, UNDP, as part of its DIA Support project, funded by Sweden, has been helping the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Ukrainian Library Association develop a network of hubs and strengthen the capabilities of their employees.
UNDP IN THE MEDIA
OUR PARTNERS
Our work is possible thanks to the generous contributions from our development partners.
MD in UNDP initiated project of SkPCL &Independent Director at Doodla Dairy
1moI wish to hear more as I serve in UNDP project in India. Please send to my email directorskpcl123@gmail.com