Kyiv, 14 May 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the German Government, held a three-day training session titled “GIS Fundamentals for Community Recovery and Development in Ukraine” on 6-8 May.

Designed and delivered by UNDP as part of the “Strengthening Evidence-Based Recovery in Ukraine” project funded by the Government of Germany, the training session launched the first capacity development module under the Knowledge Hub for Recovery and Development (Knowledge Hub). The hub was initiated in cooperation with the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine (Ministry for Development) and the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre (StateGeoCadastre) to strengthen local capacities for data-informed planning and decision-making. 

The training marked a significant step in the development of the Knowledge Hub – a pilot expert network designed to foster knowledge exchange among war-affected communities. The training module addressed specific needs identified through a nationwide assessment covering over 950 communities. It was designed to equip local officials with geospatial skills for practical use – from mapping war-related damage to analysing access to services and prioritizing infrastructure rehabilitation. 

Over the course of three days, participants from pilot communities studied the fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and gained practical experience with QGIS – a popular tool for spatial data analysis. QGIS's open-source nature allows for free use and adaptation, easing the burden on local budgets and providing a convenient and sustainable solution for communities. The training programme included both theoretical and practical sessions tailored to the needs of local self-governance.

Participants emphasized the training's practical value, the accessibility of the material, and the immediate applicability of the knowledge they acquired.

Anastasiia Shulhach, Chief Specialist of the Urbanism Division of the Architecture and Urban Planning Department of the Mykolaiv City Council, who was an online participant in the training, said it had shown her many ways to speed up and simplify her work, particularly in improving the accuracy of drawings and execution. 

“The tools are convenient and user-friendly,” Shulhach said. “In practice, this means more efficient, higher-quality work and, ultimately, a better future for my community.”

Svitlana Kachan, Social Protection Specialist from the Kyinka community in Chernihiv Oblast also praised the utility of GIS: “GIS is an excellent tool for visualizing ideas and communicating them clearly to others,” Kachan said. “In the times of war, women are shouldering greater responsibilities in our communities. Recovery and its planning are now our reality.”

The training also provided an opportunity for participants to learn about digital platforms used by the Ministry for Development and the StateGeoCadastre. Representatives from these government agencies demonstrated the capabilities of the national geoportal, the urban planning cadastre, and the address registry, highlighting their potential for integration into community-level management.

This initial capacity development module under the Knowledge Hub demonstrated the importance of aligning local and national systems, investing in practical skills, and enabling peer exchange. As Ukraine advances its recovery, the Knowledge Hub will continue to provide targeted support and scalable tools for communities committed to evidence-based development and resilience.

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