KYIV, March 21, 2024 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine has supported the launch of a new online course to help entrepreneurs gain basic knowledge and develop practical skills in integrity and compliance to strengthen their business reputation. 

The educational course, called “Strengthening Integrity: Minimizing Risks and Building Compliance in Business During Recovery”, was developed by the Ukrainian Network of Integrity and Compliance (UNIC), in cooperation with the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office and the Diia.Business national project. The creation of the course was funded by the governments of Japan and Germany. 

The educational course has 12 lessons lasting 6-12 minutes each, which can be viewed at any time convenient for the user. The course can be completed on the portal of the Diia.Business national project. 

The course's uniqueness lies in the fact it is adapted specifically for small- and medium-sized businesses. It is based on international standards for business integrity. 

Watching the series of lessons in the online course, one can learn about: 

• the importance of having a good business reputation; 

• the structure and construction of an effective compliance system for risk minimization; 

• building transparent business processes for potential participation in Ukrainian reconstruction projects; 

• counterparty verification; 

• effective staff management and communication.   

Trust-building, and strengthening the transparency and accountability of business, is an integral part of the recovery of Ukraine, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine Christophoros Politis said. 

“This is something the UNDP has put a great deal of focus on in our contribution to the recovery process while helping the government, the public, non-governmental organizations, and the business sector to remain active partners in the recovery process,” Politis said. 

"Integral to this is the principle of transparent business practices, which level the playing field for all stakeholders. As we navigate through the reconstruction phase, it’s imperative for businesses to exhibit a high standard of integrity and compliance. This not only fortifies trust among domestic and international investors, but also positions Ukraine as a competitive destination for international investment. Transparent operations and compliance are not just ethical choices; they are strategic imperatives that drive economic vitality for inclusive and transparent growth, which will be essential for the economic recovery of Ukraine." 

Head of the UNIC Secretariat Antonina Prudko said that conducting business with integrity was extremely important, as it builds trust in relationships with partners, forms the company's reputation, and aids in the attraction of foreign investment. 

"In the current realities of Ukraine, the importance of compliance and the issue of conducting business with integrity are hard to overestimate,” Prudko said. “So the introduction of compliance for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ukraine is important not only from a legal standpoint but is also strategically necessary for sustainable development. The (new online) course is unique because, for the first time in Ukraine, by adopting foreign practice, it brings together valuable information and advice adapted to assist SMEs in implementing compliance systems in their business processes." 

Director of the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office Andrii Remizov agreed that during the full-scale war and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, integrity and compliance have become fundamental for the development of Ukrainian entrepreneurship.  

“That’s why this educational course was created – to help business representatives master the basics of ethical business conduct, build a system of transparent business processes, minimize risks, and become competitive in the market," Remizov said.  

"Ethics and legality in business are an important part of Ukraine's image and reputation, which underpin our cooperation with foreign partners and their economic support. They encompass attracting investments for the future and the overall engagement of the private sector in Ukraine’s early recovery, and in overcoming the consequences of this war, enhancing Ukraine's competitiveness, and reducing the level of corruption”, added Deputy Business Ombudsman of Ukraine Tetiana Korotka.  

“I’m pleased that this is fully supported by our strong international partners. This is indeed a partnership contribution to the development and support of Ukrainian business – not only for the resilience of the Ukrainian economy but also for ensuring the economic security of the entire European region."  

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