??News Digest February 2025
IN FOCUS
Updated damage assessment finds $524 billion needed for recovery in Ukraine over next decade
Three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United Nations – under the technical lead of UNDP, in collaboration with the Government of Ukraine, the World Bank Group, and the European Commission, released an updated joint Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA4) for Ukraine. The assessment estimates that as of 31 December 2024 the total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine over the next decade will be U.S. $524 billion – approximately 2.8 times the estimated nominal GDP of Ukraine for 2024. Read more
WHAT'S NEW
New debris removal initiative accelerates Ukraine's recovery efforts
UNDP, with support from the governments of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the MPTF Ukraine Community Recovery Fund, is set to launch one of its largest debris removal initiatives globally. The project will span eight regions of Ukraine, targeting priority sites for debris clearance, including destroyed private houses, multi-storey buildings, schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure. This initiative will also create over 350 job opportunities, supporting economic recovery. Read more
EU and UNDP provide rescuers with specialized equipment worth over US$410,000 for work in frontline communities
The European Union and UNDP are systematically enhancing the capacity of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES), equipping rescuers in the most challenging conditions with essential specialized gear. The SES units in Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson oblasts have received advanced technical equipment, while local firefighting teams in 10 communities across Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts have been also provided with critical tools. Read more
Minutes, not months: High-tech DNA analysis to speed up family reunifications in Ukraine
UNDP, with financial support from the Government of the Netherlands, has donated to Ukrainian police 250 chips for ANDE portable DNA analysis laboratories, 1,250 ANDE swabs, and 1,150 packs of devices for collection and storage of DNA samples. The support was provided as part of the Strengthening the Capacities of the National Police of Ukraine for the Reunification of Families in Ukraine project. Read more
Sweden and UNDP strengthen environmental damage assessment in Ukraine
UNDP has handed over equipment and supplies to the regional offices of the State Environmental Inspectorate (SEI) so that it can conduct fieldwork aimed at assessing the environmental damage caused by the war. The provision of the equipment and supplies was facilitated by the team of the UNDP’s Environmental Damage Assessment project, which is funded by Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine . Read more
UNDP partners with the governments of Ukraine and Spain to restore war-damaged schools
UNDP in Ukraine, with financial support from the Government of Spain, has launched the “Re-Envisioning Educational Facilities in Ukraine: Rehabilitation and Repairs of War-Damaged Social Infrastructure” project. This initiative emphasises energy-efficient reconstruction and the incorporation of alternative power systems, while adhering to the Build Back Better principle. Read more
Japanese company enhances learning facilities for 150 Ukrainian students mastering Japanese
UNDP recently supported the ceremonial reopening of the Japanese language classroom in the Kyiv Gymnasium of Oriental Languages №1. The learning facility was enhanced with new equipment procured by UNDP with generous funding from a Japanese company. Read more
Renovated hospital and preschool open in Lviv Oblast with EU bank support
Two public buildings in Lviv Oblast – St Luke’s Hospital in Lviv and preschool No.7 “Dzvinochok” in Truskavets – have officially opened after being renovated. Supported by the European Union and its financial arm, European Investment Bank (EIB) , these projects are part of the broader Ukraine Early Recovery Programme. Under the programme, UNDP provides technical assistance to local communities, supporting project implementation and ensuring independent monitoring for transparency and accountability. Read more
ChatGPT as a personal assistant: The Ministry of Digital Transformation launches a practical course on artificial intelligence on Diia.Osvita
The Ministry of Digital Transformation has launched a new educational course about using ChatGPT on the Diia.Education. The course, “ChatGPT: Your Personal Assistant in Work, Study and Life” will provide people with an opportunity to master one of the most powerful artificial intelligence tools, which is used every week by over 300 million people around the world to learn and work more effectively and faster. The series was developed with the support of the UNDP DIA Support project with funding from Sweden. Read more??
Diia.Education launches updated digital map of Digital Education Hubs
An updated interactive map of Digital Education Hubs has been launched on the Diia.Osvita platform: From now on, members of the public will be able to quickly find the nearest hub, where they can master essential digital skills. The initiative of Digital Education Hub libraries was supported by UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation and with support from Sweden. Read more
MinDigital, the EU, and UNDP open two modular administrative service centres in Dnipropetrovsk and Poltava oblasts
The European Union and UNDP, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, have built and equipped two modern administrative service centres (ASCs) in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and Velyki Sorochyntsi, Poltava Oblast. The new ASCs will offer a wide range of services, including residence registration, social services, passport issuance, business registration, veteran support services, and free legal assistance. Read more
New ‘Made in Ukraine’ offices open in Kharkiv Oblast
UNDP, together with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the Kharkiv Regional Employment Centre, and with support from Japan - The Government of Japan , has opened regional "Made in Ukraine" offices in Chuhuiv and Nova Vodolaha in Kharkiv Oblast. “Made in Ukraine” is a national initiative that helps Ukrainian enterprises develop and contribute to strengthening the Ukrainian economy. Read more
Ukraine's export strategy gets regional boost at key conference
Institutional support for Ukraine’s foreign trade and strategies to enhance regional economic growth were in focus at the “Export Strategy and Regional Economic Development: Institutional Capacity for Implementation,” held in recently Kyiv. The conference was organized by UNDP in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and German federal aid company 德国国际合作机构 , and with the aid of funding from the Government of Japan. Read more
Ukrainian brands go global: UNDP helps launch E-export initiative
National postal operator Ukrposhta has launched the E-Export Intensive series of seminars, bringing together the owners of more than 200 micro, small, and medium-sized businesses to learn about selling online, internationally. E-Export Intensive is a new educational initiative supported by UNDP and the Government of Japan. It is part of UNDP’s “Resilience Business Platform. Academy” which supports Ukrainian entrepreneurs in overcoming modern challenges. Read more
UNDP, Japanese government support National Forum on Strategic Planning at Regional Level
UNDP and the Government of Japan have supported the "Strategic Planning at the Regional Level: From Recovery to Development." National Forum, which was organized in partnership with the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine. The forum was the concluding event of a series of seven strategic sessions which aimed to update the country’s various regional development strategies, bringing them into line with the State Strategy for Regional Development for 2021–2027. Read more
Young journalists sharpen skills at Reporter.Camp: Winners of student contest learn from media pros
The Reporter.Camp for the winners of the National Student Video Contest “Reporter” has concluded in Kyiv, with ten budding young journalists honing their reporting skills over three intensive days of training with media professionals. The "Reporter" contest is implemented by the Filter under the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, with support from UNDP and funding from the Government of Japan. The contest partners include the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and Public Broadcasting of Ukraine. Read more
Japan and Ukraine mark police partnership in Ukraine in service of public safety and security
The National Police of Ukraine, the Embassy of Japan, the National Police Agency of Japan, and UNDP have gathered to commemorate the friendship and discuss cooperation on promoting access to justice and the rule of law in Ukraine in times of war. During the event, the participants also inspected vans provided to the National Police of Ukraine by Japan and UNDP, which have been converted into mobile forensic laboratories.?Read more?here, and watch a video to find out more.
UNDP, the Netherlands, and the EU facilitate establishment of new veteran spaces in Sumy Oblast
UNDP, the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the European Union have supported the launch of two veteran spaces in the communities of Krolevets and Konotop in Sumy Oblast. These initiatives stemmed from strategic sessions held in 2024, where community representatives identified the need for dedicated veteran support hubs. Consequently, UNDP and its partners funded two grant projects totalling U.S. $48,738. Read more
UNDP and the Netherlands support opening of Centre for Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine at Sumy State University
UNDP and the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have supported the establishment of the Centre for Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine at Sumy State University. This facility, based within the university’s clinic, is an integral part of the Veteran Development Centre and will provide comprehensive physical rehabilitation services for veterans and civilian patients alike. Read more
EU and UNDP successfully complete the “Response and Renewal” grant programme in 13 Ukrainian communities
The full-scale invasion has caused the most significant population migration since World War II. In response, the EU has offered assistance under the M4EG project through the “Response and Renewal” grant programme. More than EUR 1.8 million was allocated for local initiatives in Ukraine and Moldova. In Ukraine, thirteen local initiatives were supported through an open competition. These initiatives helped communities cope with problems adapting to the influx of internally displaced persons, increase community resilience, promote their recovery, and identify pathways for sustainable growth in the face of war. At the beginning of 2025, all thirteen communities successfully completed their initiatives and achieved tangible results. Read more?here, and watch a video to find out more.
OUR PUBLICATIONS
???Ukraine - Fourth Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA4) : February 2022 - December 2024 (English)
STORIES
Unbreakable
Three years ago, Ukraine astonished the world with its resilience and indomitability. UNDP, together with partners, is supporting the country's development and resilience by helping communities, businesses, and state institutions overcome the challenges of war and build the future. After the full-scale invasion in 2022, the organization's activities significantly expanded.
The stories in this photo project tell of resilience, mutual assistance, development, and the innovative spirit of people who are helping to rebuild their country. Read more
PODCAST
???"Women Digitalisers": Episode 6
How are social services, used by millions of Ukrainians, being digitized? What challenges arise when creating new electronic tools? And how do government agencies interact with each other to digitize mass services? In the sixth episode of the “Women Digitalisers” podcast, the head of the Digital Project Office of the Ministry of Social Policy, Tetyana Kalita, shares her insights.
Watch on YouTube, listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Megogo, and Amazon Music via the link [in Ukrainian].The podcast, about women who are digitizing public services, was created as part of the DIA Support project, implemented by UNDP with funding from Sweden.
???"Women Digitalisers": Episode 7
What are international technical assistance projects? How do they work and interact with government agencies? What is their role in implementing digital initiatives in Ukraine, and what amazing products result from such collaboration? This was discussed with Oksana Grechko, a policy development specialist for the DIA Support project at UNDP, in episode seven of the “Women Digitalisers” podcast.
Watch on YouTube, listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Megogo, and Amazon Music via the link [in Ukrainian].
The podcast, about women who are digitizing public services, was created as part of the DIA Support project, implemented by UNDP with funding from Sweden.
VIDEOS
UNDP in Ukraine: Partnership with the Government of Japan
In the wake of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Government of Japan and UNDP boosted their partnership to support Ukraine, making efforts both to respond to the immediate needs of its citizens, and to plan for a full, inclusive, and green recovery that enhances human security.
This collaboration spans a wide range of critical areas, from rebuilding energy infrastructure and humanitarian demining to debris removal, strengthening access to justice, supporting economic resilience, and enhancing governance.
Impact in Action: How the EU-UNDP partnership helps Ukraine recover
Since 2022, a joint EU-UNDP project has been driving Ukraine’s recovery – restoring essential services, mitigating environmental and health risks, and fostering innovation across 10 regions. From clearing debris and demining to securing access to potable water and restoring infrastructure, every effort has been focused on ensuring sustainability, safety, and early recovery.
UNDP IN THE MEDIA
OUR PARTNERS
Our work is possible thanks to the generous contributions from our development partners.