DNIPRO, 1 February 2023 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and the European (EU) Union supported the opening of the Hub of Public Initiatives in Dnipro. The Hub is designed to help internally displaced people better adapt to their new environment and to bring them together with locals to create useful social initiatives. Public activists from Sievierodonetsk, in Luhansk Oblast, had the idea to create the Hub, after being forced to seek shelter in Dnipro due to active hostilities.

With support from UNDP and the EU, the Hub premises were repaired and equipped with furniture and equipment.

Jaco Cilliers, the interim UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, emphasized that UNDP is eager to actively support public initiatives in Ukraine. “Despite the active phase of the war, Ukrainians do not give up and are continuing to make their country better and stronger and helping those in need,” Cilliers said. “This Hub is an example of the perseverance of Ukrainians and, I am convinced, they will soon impress us with the results of its work.”

Frederik Coene, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, stated that the European Union will continue to support civil society in Ukraine during and after the end of the war. “Civil society has always been Ukraine’s democratic motor. During Russia’s full-scale invasion it has once again proven its resilience and unparalleled capacity. The Hub that will now be operating in Dnipro, will  foster creative ideas for supporting internally displaced persons and engaging all citizens in the city’s public life.”

Support for the Hub was provided under the UN Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme.

Background

The United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (UN RPP) is being implemented by four United Nations agencies: UNDP, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Eleven international partners support the Programme: the EU, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, and the governments of Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland.

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