We invite you to read the fifth Ukraine Rebuilding Digest with an overview of the recovery news from the Ukraine Rebuilding Alliance for 15–21 April.
Denmark to build towns for psychological recovery of orphans in Ukraine
Denmark has planned to build towns for the psychological recovery of children deprived of parental care in Ukraine. The project “Spaces for Children to Live” was presented in Copenhagen with the participation of the First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko and the Danish Minister of Enterprise Morten Bedskou.
The towns will be built in three pilot Ukrainian cities and integrated into communities. A dialogue is currently underway between the Danish side and local authorities.
Svyrydenko stressed the importance of supporting Ukrainian children affected by the war and thanked Denmark for the humanitarian project. She also noted that the houses will be built using Ukrainian construction materials, which will help develop local businesses.
Switzerland to allocate 5 billion francs for Ukraine’s recovery
The Swiss government has decided to allocate 5 billion francs to support Ukraine over 12 years, until 2036. The first 1.5 billion francs are to be allocated by 2028 from the international cooperation budget. This reflects the country’s solidarity with those affected by the war in Ukraine and will contribute to stability in Europe.
According to the plan, the next 3.5 billion francs will be considered from other sources between 2029 and 2036. The Federal Council has also committed to developing a programme for Ukraine based on the principles of partnership, transparency, accountability and other core values to ensure effective support for the country.
PACE adopts resolution to support Ukraine’s recovery
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has adopted a resolution calling on all countries where Russia has accounts to take steps to transfer these assets to rebuild Ukraine’s infrastructure. The Council also called for the creation of an international compensation mechanism under its auspices. The resolution also calls for the establishment of an international commission to review claims for compensation for losses recorded in the Register of Losses.
Relying on international and domestic support, Kharkiv is actively addressing urgent problems and rebuilding the city. The joint efforts of local, regional and international partners are helping to build a sustainable municipal infrastructure and provide vital services to residents. The first steps have already been taken, and they promise significant changes in improving living conditions for many.
Cross-border cooperation as a factor of Ukraine’s European integration and reconstruction
Cross-border cooperation is currently a key aspect of modern international cooperation that promotes mutual understanding, exchange of experience, joint development and solidarity in interregionalism.
The European Union, by supporting interregional partnerships, is strengthening its international status and establishing itself as a global actor. Ukraine, by participating in cross-border programmes, uses this as one of the available tools for implementing its European integration vector.
The team of the Ukraine Rebuilding Alliance has extensive experience in cross-border programmes, including the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. This is an initiative aimed at overcoming common problems and challenges in the border areas of 14 countries united by the international river Danube. In particular, the Alliance implements such financial instruments of cross-border cooperation as Interreg and lobbies for the interests of Ukrainian communities at the international level.
Key areas of Ukraine’s recovery presented to the European Council on Foreign Relations
The team of the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development has identified key areas for Ukraine’s recovery, taking into account the challenges posed by Russia’s invasion and Ukraine’s aspirations for European Union membership. They focus on fulfilling European integration tasks and enhancing the institutional capacity of territorial communities and regions in various aspects.
The main priorities for 2024 include restoring and protecting the energy system, strengthening community resilience, ensuring access to basic services, developing export logistics, strengthening reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in the recovery, and active community participation in this process.
Robert Habeck wants Germany to rebuild Ukraine
The arrival of the German Vice Chancellor in Kyiv, along with a delegation of defence and energy industry leaders, is an attempt to engage Germany’s industrial potential in the recovery and development of the Ukrainian economy. This is being done through the supply of weapons systems for defence against Russian invasion, as well as through preparations for cooperation in the energy sector.
German contractors are already supplying weapons systems for the defence of Ukraine, but they are also interested in maximising business opportunities in the future. This means that they are looking to develop production facilities in Ukraine to service vehicles and artillery ammunition, as well as to test innovations and introduce advanced technologies.
Setting up production facilities in Ukraine is beneficial from both economic and technological perspectives. It will not only provide quick access to the market at low cost, but also test innovative technologies and develop new advanced systems in cooperation with local military experts.
