We invite you to read the twenty-second Ukraine Rebuilding Digest, an overview of the recovery news from the Ukraine Rebuilding Alliance for December 2024.
EIB provides €55 million to restore Ukraine’s social infrastructure
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has allocated €55 million under EU guarantees for the Ukraine Recovery Program, which provides for the reconstruction of hospitals, educational institutions, social housing, heating, water supply and other critical infrastructure. In 2025, the funding will be used to implement 151 sub-projects in 12 regions, including Odesa, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro and other regions. This is part of the EIB’s Emergency Solidarity Measures developed jointly with the European Commission.
“The Ukraine Recovery Program is a €340 million framework loan from the EIB implemented by the Ministry of Communities and Territorial Development in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance. Subprojects are managed by local authorities with the support of UNDP, which provides technical assistance. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba emphasized the importance of EU support in restoring schools, hospitals and public services, which will improve the quality of life for millions of Ukrainians and contribute to the creation of sustainable communities.
Shmyhal and Dombrovskis discuss restoration of Ukraine based on the Marshall Plan principle
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis discussed the mechanism of Ukraine’s recovery based on the Marshall Plan. Shmyhal expressed gratitude for the close cooperation and noted the importance of funding through the Ukraine Facility, which this year has provided Ukraine with €16 billion to stabilize the economy, support reforms and address urgent needs.
Dombrovskis confirmed the provision of EUR 18.1 billion in macro-financial assistance under the G7 Revenue Acceleration Initiative. The first tranche is expected in January. Both sides emphasized the importance of cooperation for Ukraine’s economic recovery and further implementation of reforms.
The Ministry of Environment outlines ways to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine took part in a two-day event organized by UNDP and the Cabinet of Ministers on the challenges and ways to implement the updated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Participants discussed mechanisms for achieving the SDGs and key challenges, including environmental restoration and changing approaches to the use of natural resources.
Yuriy Butenko, Head of the Strategic Planning and Recovery Department, emphasized the importance of the environmental component in the country’s recovery, stressing that to achieve the six environmental goals, changes in attitudes towards nature, water resources and soil are needed, as well as synergistic efforts of the state, business, communities and every person.
EU donates €150 million to support food security, school feeding and infrastructure projects
On December 20, the European Union transferred the second tranche of budget support to Ukraine in the amount of €150 million. Of this amount, €65 million is earmarked to support school meals, which will provide more than 700,000 primary school children with free hot lunches. The remaining €85 million is earmarked for the restoration of critical infrastructure, food security, and reconstruction projects, including the modernization of ports in Odesa damaged in the fall of 2023.
EU Ambassador Katarina Mathernova emphasized that this assistance demonstrates the EU’s commitment to Ukraine both in overcoming current challenges and in building its future in the EU. By financing the school feeding system, the EU provides children with care, security and hope.
Japan to join Ukraine’s green recovery
Ukraine has joined Japan’s Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the introduction of advanced decarbonization technologies. As part of this initiative, Japanese organizations will invest in climate projects in Ukraine, allowing both parties to count the reduced emissions toward their environmental goals. A memorandum of cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement was signed earlier this year.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the establishment of the Ukrainian part of the joint committee to coordinate bilateral efforts under the JCM. Japan has already completed preparatory activities to start cooperation. The next step will be to form the committee and develop its regulations. This partnership is an important step towards decarbonizing the economy and strengthening the fight against climate change.
