Nizhyn, Ukraine, 12 April 2024 — A newly established clothing workshop has opened in the city of Nizhyn, Chernihiv Oblast, creating jobs for 30 residents of the Nizhyn Hromada (community), including internally displaced persons. 

The workshop was opened with support from the Mayors for Economic Growth Initiative, which is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project in Nizhyn is one of several that have received financial support and are being implemented by communities in Ukraine. As a result, the population of these communities will have better access to services and new economic opportunities. 

The Nizhyn Hromada sewing workshop project aims to help both local residents and internally displaced persons who have had difficulty in finding jobs. Moreover, the new jobs will be open not only to those who already have a specialized tailor’s qualification, as senior factory staff will be able to train motivated people and help them learn a new profession. 

And through providing them with a new profession and employment, this project will not only facilitate the social integration of internally displaced persons into their new community, but also improve their sense of wellbeing. 

Commenting on the project, Jaco Cilliers, Resident Representative of the UNDP in Ukraine, said: “At UNDP, we are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainian municipalities and citizens affected by the war. Through initiatives such as Mayors for Economic Growth, we empower communities to rebuild and prosper, ensuring that no one is left behind during and after the war.” 

Henrik Huitfeldt, Acting Head of the Economic Cooperation, Energy, Infrastructure and Environment Section for the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, said that the European Union remains unwavering in its support for the people of Ukraine. 

"Ukrainians are facing tremendously challenging circumstances," stated Mr. Huitfeldt. "Through collaborative efforts like the Mayors for Economic Growth initiative, we are actively investing in the future of Ukrainian communities. By fostering job opportunities and social integration, we are laying the groundwork for a sustainable recovery and resilience in war-affected regions." 

Background 

Mayors for Economic Growth is a joint initiative of the European Union and the UNDP in Ukraine. The initiative is an invitation to rethink urban and local spaces in order to achieve positive transformational changes and focus on modern trends.  

The initiative was launched in 2017 for local authorities as part of the EU’s Eastern Partnership initiative. The current phase of the program is being implemented by the UNDP in Ukraine. 

Media enquiries 

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