??News Digest June 2024
IN FOCUS
UNDP delivers $1 million worth of advanced rehabilitation equipment to Ukrainian healthcare facilities
Delivering a significant boost to Ukraine’s healthcare system, the UNDP has provided rehabilitation equipment valued at US$1 million to several healthcare facilities across the country. The initiative, funded by the governments of Germany, Japan and the Republic of Korea, is aimed at improving rehabilitation services for patients affected by the current war.
The equipment includes stairs with an inclined ramp for gait rehabilitation, medical beds, bedside cabinets with tables, single rehabilitation mirrors, electrical stimulators, rehabilitation devices for hands and legs, ceiling lifts, including ones with dynamic modules, and verticalizers.
UNDP, the Republic of Korea, and Iceland provide critical equipment for the energy sector of Ukraine
The UNDP, with funding from the governments of the Republic of Korea and Iceland, has delivered a shipment of high-voltage bushings to National power company Ukrenergo. The government of the Republic of Korea provided 25 bushings and the government of Iceland provided 15 high-voltage bushings. A bushing is a vital component in power generation, transmission, and distribution systems. Despite their comparatively small size relative to transformers or other transmission infrastructure, bushings are vital components for ensuring a reliable power supply to urban and rural areas.
WHAT'S NEW
Partners launch Alliance for Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery in Ukraine
A landmark initiative was launched the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2024 in Berlin, Germany: the Alliance for Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery. Backed by the UNDP, the initiative was proposed by UN Women Ukraine and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has disproportionately affected women and girls, along with other vulnerable groups. The Alliance for Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery aims to address these disparities, ensuring a more inclusive future for all Ukrainians. This collaborative effort includes governments, international organizations, civil society, and the business community, all working towards lasting gender equality and women's empowerment in Ukraine.
UNDP joins SME Resilience Alliance for Ukraine
Ukraine and Germany, alongside 12 other countries and 17 development institutions and international organisations, have formed the SME Resilience Alliance for Ukraine. The initiative was launched at the International Ukraine Recovery Conference in Germany. All founding members will contribute to the Alliance through financial investments, policy advice, or development programmes. The UNDP, through the Alliance, will promote entrepreneurship, job creation, and an innovative business environment. Additionally it will work to improve access to finance and market opportunities, and enhance business legislation.
With the support from the EU and UNDP, a new Veterans Support Centre opens in Chernivtsi
A new Veterans Support Centre has opened in Chernivtsi, serving the city and neighbouring communities in the region. The initiative to create the centre came from the NGO “Dignity of Bukovyna” and local authorities, with support from the EU and UNDP.
At the centre, veterans and their families can receive professional psychological help and contact case managers for support, guiding them to receive various services or redirecting them to relevant specialists. The centre will also organize training sessions on grant opportunities and business management. A separate focus will be promoting the psychological and social adaptation of veterans, including group classes on communication skills and interpersonal relations.
Veteran Development Centres unite to create long-term veteran reintegration strategies
A two-day networking event was held in Kyiv for specialists from Veteran Development Centres, organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, with support from the UNDP, the European Union, and the Dutch government. Participants devised an operational plan for the Network of Veteran Development Centres, and presented their ideas for enhancing reintegration in Ukraine. The most promising projects received funding from UNDP and its partners for implementation.
Veteran's ID launched in Diia mobile application
A new identification service is now available for veterans, people with disabilities resulting from war, and family members of deceased veterans. The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, in collaboration with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, set up the service with the assistance of the DIA Support Project, which is being implemented by the UNDP in Ukraine with funding from Sweden. The project received additional expert support from the DT4UA project, which is implemented by the E-Governance Academy with funding from the European Union.
EU and UNDP open new safety room for children with visual impairments in Chernihiv
The EU and UNDP have launched an interactive safety room at the Chernihiv Educational and Rehabilitation Centre for blind children and children with visual impairments. This grant initiative aims to teach children about fire, mine and road safety in the most accessible and engaging manner possible.
The safety room was equipped with furniture, appliances, and training equipment to teach children with visual impairments basic safety and emergency response rules. Expanding the centre’s safety capabilities, the project also facilitated the installation of an alarm and notification system.
Two new digital literacy tools for librarians launched on Diia.Osvita platform
Two newly introduced tools – a framework of digital competences and a Digigram – are to help librarians improve their skills and work more effectively to meet the needs of the public. With the Digital Literacy Framework and the Digigram test, libraries will be better prepared to support communities in improving their digital literacy and using digital resources, which will in turn contribute to the development of a digital society. The project was implemented by the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Ukrainian Library Association, in cooperation with UNDP, as part of the Swedish-funded DIA Support Project.
How public authorities can organize youth internships: A new educational series on Diia.Osvita platform
The National Agency of Ukraine on the Civil Service (NACS), with support from the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the UNDP, has introduced a new educational series for civil servants. This series is intended to equip civil servants with essential information and strategies for engaging young professionals for work in self-government bodies. The series is already available on the Diia.Osvita platform. The series was developed with financial support from the government of Denmark for the Diia.Osvita platform.
Ministry of Justice digitises civil status records from Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts
In Dnipro, more than 3 million civil status records earlier evacuated from Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts have been scanned in an initiative to preserve critical data for the provision of public services, speed up service delivery, and ensure state registers contain verified information. The digitisation project, launched by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine with support from the UNDP, is part of the DIA Support project, funded by Sweden.
Ministry of Culture and Information Policy’s Media Literacy Development Strategy until 2026 presented in Kyiv
The UNDP in Ukraine, with funding from the government of Japan, has supported the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine and its "Filter" National Media Literacy Project in developing and presenting the ministry’s strategy on Media Literacy Development until 2026.
The strategy outlines key issues and challenges affecting media literacy in Ukraine, highlights the competencies a media-literate person should possess, analyses the state of media literacy development in the country, sets strategic goals for the coming years, and identifies indicators of achievement. IT also defines key implementation principles and target audiences.
UNDP and Business Development Fund introduce ESCO-Fund to support sustainable development and energy efficiency
The UNDP, in cooperation with the Business Development Fund (BDF), has introduced a financial support mechanism to facilitate access for Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) to bank financing. The new "ESCO Fund" mechanism from the UNDP and the BDF will accelerate the development of the ESCO market in Ukraine by using banking instruments such as partial compensation of interest rates and loan principals, and providing additional guarantees. The fund is expected to support 10 to 15 pilot projects in communities.
Japan and UNDP support event on ethical business security during recovery in Ukraine
During the Annual General Meeting of the Ukrainian Network of Integrity and Compliance (UNIC), representatives from businesses, government, and international partners discussed effective mechanisms that promote European integration and enhance the security of Ukrainian businesses. The participants also examined upcoming legislative changes for fostering integrity in the private and public sectors, promoting a culture of zero tolerance for corruption, and improving the security of businesses involved in recovery and reconstruction.
Japan and UNDP bolster mental health and social support for war-affected police officers and families in Ukraine
The UNDP, in partnership with the National Police of Ukraine and funding from the government of Japan, has delivered two crucial training sessions to provide essential psychological and social support to police officers affected by the ongoing war and their families. The first training session focused on equipping National Police officers responsible for social support functions with the skills necessary to assist their colleagues and families, including veterans and people with disabilities. The second training session targeted police psychologists, enhancing their ability to support war-affected personnel and their families.
UNDP and Ukrainian Youth Foundation sign Memorandum to strengthen youth engagement in recovery processes
The UNDP and the Ukrainian Youth Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in the implementation of youth policy for the sustainable recovery of the country, the implementation of the National Youth Strategy, and the adaptation of youth work standards to EU policies.
EU and UNDP summarize the results of a year-long project on the development of social services
领英推荐
In partnership with the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, the UNDP and EU summed up the results of one of their joint projects at a national conference in Kyiv: The project, which they launched in 2023, analysed the organization and provision of social services, determined the level of unmet demand, and created programmes and plans to further develop social services in communities in Chernihiv, Chernivtsi, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Poltava, and Sumy oblasts.
Values and narratives: Results of organisational audit of Ukraine’s national and civic identity presented in Kyiv
The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, in partnership with the UNDP, has unveiled the results of an organisational audit on national and civic identity. The audit was funded by the Government of Japan and conducted by the Centre for Economic Analysis in Medical and Social Spheres (CIVITA). The presentation and public discussion was attended by civil society organisations, public authorities, and international organisations. Following the presentation, group work sessions were held with the aim of determining collaborative directions to implement the Strategy for Affirming Ukrainian National and Civic Identity.
UNDP in Ukraine advocates for disability inclusion at UN event
The UNDP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations, hosted a side event titled “Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Crisis Response Situations” at the 17th session of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The event, which was financially supported by the government of Japan, featured a full agenda that included discussions about the rapid increase in disabilities due to the Russian invasion and mine-explosive injuries, the state’s role in rehabilitation, and the provision of assistive devices.
STORIES
Journalism that can save lives: The story of a Ukrainian reporter from frontline Mykolaiv
Reporting under fire, interviews near minefields, and frank conversations about the pain of injury or loss: since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the work of journalists – whose job it is to tell the world the stories of others – has been challenged in ways never seen before.
Olena Kozubovska from Mykolaiv started working as a journalist when the full-scale invasion broke out. Read about her choice to work in a frontline city, warning others of danger, and the dreams that motivate her to get up in the morning. Read more
‘It's hard to make children happy when you've lost everything’
Oksana But, together with her family, left a frontline town to save what's most precious – her three children. Oksana and her family have been living in Nizhyn in Chernihiv Oblast for over two years. Oksana now manages a sewing workshop opened as part of the EU-UNDP "Mayors for Economic Growth" initiative. Read her story
‘I Want to Change’: How Youth Councils are growing stronger and revitalising communities
Young people in Ukraine are a powerful force capable of bringing change, renewal, and creation. This can be seen in volunteer communities, where the potential of activists is being fully realised, as well as in other civic initiatives. This article explains what youth councils are, how they can become agents of change in the community, and describes the Dialogues of Victory initiative. Read more
SPEECHES
Statement by the United Nations at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, Berlin, Germany 12 June 2024
Delivered by UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner on behalf of the UN Secretary-General
In his speech, the UNDP Administrator focused on how the recovery efforts under the leadership of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine contribute to the implementation of the four dimensions of the Ukraine Recovery Conference. This includes support for small businesses, investments in human development, prioritizing a comprehensive model of recovery planning, and responding to the Ukrainian government’s request for technical assistance. Read the full text of the speech here.
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 National Media Literacy Project of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine Filter, with support from the UNDP in Ukraine and with funding from the government of Japan.
Young future journalists interview UNDP Resident Representative Jaco Cilliers
In the first episode with UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Jaco Cilliers, discover:
16-year-old Kostiantyn from Kherson interviews Ukrainian TV-host Timur Miroshnychenko
In his first interview, Kostiantyn asked Tymur:
Find out the answers in the video.
Testing remote sensing technologies for demining
The UNDP in Ukraine has completed another phase of testing remote sensing technologies for demining. Seven teams, including four from Ukraine, trialled their methods for detecting explosive devices both on the ground and below the surface. They spent over a week testing the technologies, which employ magnetometers, optical cameras, AI, and other high-tech solutions.
This phase of testing was conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the National Mine Action Authority. The initiative is supported by the governments of Croatia, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.
Kakhovka Dam destruction, one year on
A wave of devastation swept over southern Ukraine on 6 June 2023, when the Kakhovka Dam was destroyed. With support from Japan, the EU and other partners, the UNDP is providing support to ensure residents have access to power and water.
Waste recycling station opened to help community of Bucha cope with demolition waste
After the de-occupation of Bucha in March 2022, the community faced a serious problem with demolition waste, as more than 4,000 houses had been destroyed and had to be torn down. Currently, 75,000 cubic meters of waste are stored on a 4-hectare site.
To help the community, the EU and the UNDP installed a waste recycling station. The station has a crushing capacity of 80 cubic meters of construction waste per hour. Using this capacity, by the end of the year the community plans to sort all 75,000 cubic meters of waste and process most of it for further use — for construction and repair work.
Reconstruction of Korosten Lyceum No. 9
In March 2022, Korosten Lyceum No. 9 became unusable for education: shell impacts and blast waves had blown out its windows and cracks had appeared in its walls, and its basement was not equipped for taking shelter during air raids. Thanks to the EU and the UNDP, the educational institution was reconstructed. Immediately after the reconstruction, 584 students and 71 teachers were able to return to in-person learning.
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