The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine have officially launched Phase II of the EU4Recovery initiative, a strategic partnership designed to support war-affected communities across Ukraine while advancing the country’s path toward European integration. The new phase builds upon the achievements of the first programme cycle, which supported more than 100 communities between 2022 and 2025.
With a total budget of €50 million for the 2026–2028 period, the partnership will focus on strengthening local governance, improving decentralized social and healthcare services, supporting economic recovery, and promoting social cohesion in regions heavily impacted by the war. The programme will particularly prioritize assistance for veterans, young people, displaced populations, and residents returning to their communities.
According to UNDP, the second phase of EU4Recovery will provide infrastructure modernization, technical assistance, training, equipment, and institutional capacity-building support to local authorities. These measures are intended to help communities manage recovery processes more effectively while continuing democratic reforms under wartime conditions.
The official launch coincided with a joint visit by representatives of the EU and UNDP to partner regions in Ukraine. During the visit, officials met with local authorities and community members to review the results of UNDP’s Area-Based Recovery approach, which supports local planning, coordination, and delivery of essential public services in crisis-affected areas.
Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, reaffirmed the EU’s long-term commitment to supporting Ukraine’s recovery and future EU membership ambitions. UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Auke Lootsma emphasized that resilient local institutions and inclusive public services are essential for sustainable recovery and long-term community stability.
The partnership will be implemented across several priority regions significantly affected by the conflict, including Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Additional targeted support will also be provided in regions hosting internally displaced communities and populations affected by displacement.
