On Thursday, the Netherlands announced a pledge of €300 million for the reconstruction and economic recovery of Ukraine in 2025 and 2026. The announcement was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp during the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) held in Rome, where both he and Prime Minister Dick Schoof were in attendance. The URC is an annual international gathering focused on supporting Ukraine’s recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Out of the €300 million pledged, €30 million will be allocated to the Ukraine Partnership Facility (UPF) grant programme. This funding will support Dutch businesses and organizations in launching projects that contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction and sustainable development. Additionally, €52 million will be spent on repairing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and drinking water systems in 2025.
The Netherlands will also contribute €4 million toward the construction of a new wing at the children’s hospital in Lviv. This project will be implemented in cooperation with the Princess Máxima Center for paediatric oncology in Utrecht, reinforcing Dutch-Ukrainian collaboration in healthcare development.
These contributions are part of the €252 million per year that the Dutch government has reserved for non-military aid to Ukraine over 2025 and 2026. The total support package exceeds €500 million. While plans for the first €200 million had already been announced, the allocation of the remaining funds has now been clarified.
Minister Veldkamp highlighted that Russia’s prolonged aggression against Ukraine targets not only the armed forces but also the country’s societal and economic foundations. With continued attacks on energy infrastructure, water systems, grain storage, and residential areas, he emphasized the importance of financial, economic, and social support from the international community to maintain Ukraine’s functionality and resilience. This broader support, he noted, is essential to easing the reconstruction process and minimizing future recovery costs.
During the conference, a cooperation agreement will be signed between the Netherlands and Ukraine to expand the UPF grant programme, initially launched in 2023. This programme aims to promote recovery-related projects in key sectors such as agrofood, sustainable energy, water, healthcare, and circular construction. The agreement ensures that supported projects are aligned with Ukraine’s most urgent recovery needs.
In addition, the Netherlands will invest €20 million to enhance Ukraine’s cyber resilience, with €10 million allocated annually for 2025 and 2026. This initiative addresses the increasing cyber threats posed by Russia, which are now a critical component of the broader conflict. The funding will help strengthen cybersecurity in vital sectors such as energy and transport.
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