??News Digest September 2023
IN FOCUS
In this blog, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Jaco Cilliers shares his vision for a rebuilt Ukraine based on UNDP’s “build back better” that seeks to rebuild stronger, safer, more disaster-resilient infrastructure and systems, using environmentally friendly furnishings and equipment. Read more
WHAT'S NEW
Latvia provides 2 million euro for reconstruction efforts in Chernihiv Oblast
UNDP launched the "Latvia for Chernihiv: Reconstruction of Social Infrastructure" project, generously funded by a €2 million contribution from the Republic of Latvia ( ārlietu ministrija | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia ). The timely initiative addresses the urgent restoration needs of Chernihiv Oblast, one of the regions most severely affected by the ongoing Russian invasion. Read more
EU and UNDP commence construction work to restore war-damaged schools
As part of a comprehensive effort to get Ukrainian students back into school, UNDP and the European Union launched a large-scale project “EU4UASchools: Build Back Better.” The purpose of the initiative is to restore and equip at least 66 facilities in 11 regions across the country. Construction work on the first nine schools commenced in September in Zhytomyr Oblast. Read more
Ukraine fast-tracks mine action efforts with advanced technology
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine recently confirmed 5,000 sq km of land as mine-free in just six weeks after receiving advanced computers and AI software through a joint Vlada Republike Hrvatske (Government of the Republic of Croatia) and UNDP initiative. The new verification process, which was also supported by the Kyiv School of Economics, could potentially save more than $2 billion in clearance expenses. Read more
School in Poltava Oblast reopens after extensive repairs thanks to EU support
The V.I. Vernadskyi School in Shyshaky village, Poltava Oblast, is now open following a complete renovation under the Ukraine Early Recovery Programme (UERP) run by European Investment Bank (EIB) , with the technical support of the United Nations Development Programme. Thanks to this upgrade, local children can enjoy a modern, inclusive learning environment, nutritious food, and school transportation services. Read more
Four new social assistance services now available on Diia portal for families with children
Certain categories of families with children can now apply for financial assistance from the state on the Diia government e-services portal. The services are available for people who have adopted a child; people who care for a child whose disability has not been diagnosed; persons with disabilities since childhood and children with disabilities; and single mothers or unmarried parents.
The new digital services were developed by the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine in cooperation with UNDP and funding from Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine .
UNDP trains Ukrainian specialists in crisis communication during war
UNDP, in collaboration with Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, completed a series of training sessions focused on ethical communication with individuals with disabilities, especially those affected by war-related incidents such as landmine explosions.
These efforts, supported by UNDP and Japan - The Government of Japan , emphasize the priority of ensuring inclusive and comprehensive emergency services in times of conflict. Read more
UNDP conducts a training on strategic communications for government official
Experts discussed the harmonization of state communications for the development and implementation of a "single voice" in the field of state communications, a communications strategy for European integration, combatting misinformation, ensuring inclusive communications, and maintaining mental health during the war. Read more
City of Mykolaiv gets new equipment to help ensure clean water supply
As part of the Support to Alternative Clean Water Supply Services initiative, the European Union and UNDP procured and delivered 24 water dispensers and 30 electricity generators to the municipality of Mykolaiv. The equipment, installed over the past three months and funded by the European Union, is being used to help ensure an uninterrupted clean water supply. Read more
UNDP and Switzerland support forum for Ukraine's recovery?
The "InterUAction: A Positive Scenario for Ukraine's Recovery and Development" international forum, organized by the "League of Business and Professional Women of Ukraine" and the Melitopol Business Women's Club, received support from UNDP in Ukraine, the Swiss Confederation ( Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA ), and Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit .
This event aimed to unite experts to devise a development and recovery strategy for Ukraine and its local communities, fostering a coalition of proactive change-makers. Read more
EU and UNDP train Ukrainian specialists in climate change adaptation planning
UNDP has completed a series of workshops on local-level climate change adaptation planning as part of the EU4Climate project. The workshops, which were held on the eve of the UN Climate Ambition Summit 2023, were organized in collaboration with Ukraine’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources. Read more
UNDP launches interactive online river monitoring platform for Chernihiv Oblast
With generous financial support from Sweden, UNDP and partners developed an online monitoring system for waterways in Chernihiv Oblast. The system enables a comprehensive overview of water quality and the factors that affect its condition. The online monitoring system for waterways in Chernihiv Oblast includes dashboards, web maps, and other summary data that can identify surface water pollution. Read more
PODCASTS
?? Rescuer's Day exclusive radio broadcast
In commemorating Rescuer's Day?on 17 September, we present an exclusive radio broadcast on Radio SKOVORODA, an essential highlight of the Rescuer's Day celebration. The initiative was generously supported by the Government of Japan and the European Union.
Personnel from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine actively participated in the podcast, along with celebrities, dedicated listeners, and supporters worldwide. We cordially invite you to tune into the Rescuer's Day discussions (in Ukrainian), available on most podcast platforms or through this link .
?? Maria Gutsman on sustainable recovery of the country, "Build Back Better" principle, and UNDP’s work in Ukraine
UNDP Team Leader for the Inclusive Development, Recovery, and Peacebuilding portfolio, Maria Gutsman , was a speaker in the programme "Today. Afternoon" broadcast on Ukrainian Radio . She spoke about Ukraine’s sustainable recovery, cooperation with the Kyiv Regional State Administration, the reconstruction of apartment buildings within the framework of the United24 initiative and the principle of "Build Back Better."?
OPPORTUNITIES?
?? Apply to become an instructor of the Basic Training of the ‘Youth Worker’ programme?
More about the ‘Youth Worker’ programme (in Ukrainian) here . More details about the training (in Ukrainian) here . To participate, fill in this form .?Apply by 11:59 p.m. on October 5, 2023.?
The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the All-Ukrainian Youth Center have organized a training, with support from UNDP and Udenrigsministeriet .
?? Competition for best practices in youth work
The best practices will be included in the printed and electronic catalog of the best practices of youth work in Ukraine. Apply by October 25, 2023. Fill out the online form (in Ukrainian). Read more about the competition here ?(in Ukrainian). The competition is held with support from UNDP and Denmark, and in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.
?? Business and Human Rights Breakfast
Join Business and Human Rights Breakfast on 4 October 2023. Experts will explore the interconnection between human rights and corporate activities during this event. They will also share valuable tools designed for companies that integrate human rights principles into their operations. To attend the event, complete the registration form early, as the number of participants is limited.
The event is organized by CSR Ukraine with the support of UNDP in Ukraine and the Government of Japan within the global project “Human Rights Due Diligence in Global Supply Chains: Leveraging the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights for a Just Recovery”. Read more
?? Grant competition "Enhancing opportunities for civil society to ensure human rights and integration of vulnerable groups in Ukraine"
The deadline has been extended, apply by 6 October 2023. All interested parties are invited to apply for a grant to support projects that help ensure human rights and equal access to justice, with an emphasis on vulnerable population groups, especially IDPs and people with disabilities.
The grant competition is organized within the framework of "Supporting Civil Society and Youth" and "Promoting Human Security in Ukraine by Responding to the Multifaceted Crisis Caused by War" Projects, implemented by UNDP in Ukraine and with financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and the Government of Japan. Read more (in Ukrainian).
STORIES
When a second equals a human life: candid conversations with Ukrainian rescuers
On the run-up to Rescuer's Day, which is celebrated in Ukraine on 17 September, we talked to several rescuers to understand how Russia’s full-scale invasion has altered both their lives, and the way they work. We also asked what helps these ordinary individuals accomplish truly extraordinary feats. Read more
Sports complex for people with disabilities opens in Poltava Oblast
After a major renovation, which began in spring 2021, the Kolos sports and rehabilitation complex for people with disabilities opened in the town of Reshetylivka in Poltava Oblast. More than 300 children and young people with musculoskeletal, visual, hearing, physical and mental development disorders will be able to undergo rehabilitation or training in this centre. Thanks to the joint efforts of the UNDP, the EU, the Ministry of Infrastructure, and Poltava Regional Administration, athletes can now train under European standards. Read more
What I learned organizing the leadership programme for women public servants in Ukraine
How do you create a leadership programme for women that is not just a platform for learning, but that also serves as a safe space for sharing experiences and giving mutual support? UNDP consultant Kateryna Onyiliogwu , the coordinator of the Women Leadership Programme, shares her recommendations in her article. Read more
‘With Warmth from Heart to Heart’ project — addressing the needs of frontline communities
The full-scale invasion forced the NGO ?KISAR? to adapt its activities to rapid response projects. With the support of the EU4Dialogue project of the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Kyiv Institute for Strategic Analysis and Reforms (KISAR) has assisted 11 communities in the frontline areas of Ukraine by providing them with the most necessary equipment in case of power outages. Read more
Amidst war and pandemic: Educational hub launched in Cherkasy?
The Covid-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine dealt a double blow to education in Ukraine, especially for children forced to leave their homes. Recognizing this pressing need, the Charitable Organization "Educational Initiatives Foundation" has stepped up to support displaced children, many of whom lack essential technological resources. With support from the European Union and UNDP, an educational hub has been successfully established in Cherkasy. Read more
Age of Happiness NGO working to make older people’s lives happier and healthier
The Age of Happiness NGO relocated to Kropyvnytskyi where it is uplifting older people and fostering a sense of community. Offering a range of activities, including media education, technology training, art therapy, and support services, the organization is a testament to the power of unity.
With support from the European Union and UNDP, Age of Happiness has established a humanitarian hub that brings together local residents and internally displaced persons. Read more
The story of the NGO “Svitankova Zoria 777”: Rehabilitating children with disabilities?
The “Klein” Child Development Center in Rivne, established by the NGO "Svitankova Zoria 777", works with children with various forms of autism and delayed mental or language development. Almost half of the visitors are children of IDPs and families facing challenging life circumstances. Support from the European Union and UNDP in Ukraine enabled the NGO "Svitankova Zoria 777" to expand its activities and offer indispensable assistance to these families. Read more
VIDEOS
'Service of Extraordinary People'
Episode VII: meet Mykola Shvets, senior rescuer-dosimetrist and climber.
We are finishing the first season of the 'Service of Extraordinary People' with the episode about Mykola Shvets, senior rescuer-dosimetrist, and climber. Mykola recalls the cohesion at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the rescue of people from occupied Hostomel, and the search and rescue missions in Borodyanka.
OUR PUBLICATIONS
Review of the international practices in the area of reintegration of veterans: reasonings regarding the war and post-war context of Ukraine?(in Ukrainian)
In a collaborative effort to ensure a structured and sustainable reintegration, UNDP and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine embarked on a study with two objectives:?
(a) to consolidate best practices for the reintegration of ex-combatants from similar contexts, and (b) to glean lessons from broader international experiences.
The findings of this research are encapsulated in this publication. This study was facilitated by the support of UNDP in Ukraine and funded by the European Union under the United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme. Read more
OUR PARTNERS
Our work is possible thanks to the generous contributions from our development partners including the European Union, the European Investment Bank, U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, the Governments of Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Korea, Latvia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the Global Fund, and the Global Environment Facility.