KYIV, 16 February 2024 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine supported the Kherson Regional Charitable Fund “Union” to organize a forum for civic activists and volunteers from Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa and Kherson oblasts, which took place in Kyiv on 14-15 February. This event was made possible by generous financial support from the Government of Denmark and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

The forum centred on sharing experiences among communities in these regions, particularly on overcoming challenges related to the war. It highlighted strategies to strengthen community security by building strong horizontal ties between civil society organizations, local authorities, the State Emergency Service, the police, and businesses, emphasizing the need for expanded interaction between them.

Special attention was given to attracting assistance from international organizations for a sustainable transition from humanitarian efforts to planning for further recovery with active engagement from the public.

Jens Martin Alsbirk, Chargé d’Affaires at the Royal Danish Embassy in Ukraine, said that Denmark — which has a deep commitment to the rebuilding and reconstruction of the city and oblast of Mykolaiv — is honoured to be playing a pivotal role in fostering partnerships between donor countries and local stakeholders. “In our view, it is important to focus on rebuilding social and physical infrastructure and restarting economic life by assisting private enterprises to get back in business, but it is also important to ensure a transformative recovery approach not only in the rebuilding of physical infrastructure but also in all socio-economic fields,” Alsbirk added.

Christophoros Politis, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Ukraine, pointed to the crucial role of supporting dialogue platforms and a multi-stakeholder engagement in recovery processes. “We are empowering communities so that an inclusive recovery process is secured; a process where communities engage effectively in devising the recovery of their regions and villages.” Politis said. “UNDP’s contribution strengthened engagement between local governments, civil society, the private sector through the establishment of working groups and dialogue platforms that ensure a full and effective involvement in decision making and in strengthening social dynamics.”

The event brough together more than 100 participants, including representatives of the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the Embassy of Denmark in Ukraine and other organizations.

Media enquiries: 

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org