Nizhyn, Chernihiv Oblast, 26 March 2026 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of the Netherlands announced a new EUR 6 million partnership to support Ukraine’s recovery. The partnership, to be implemented in 2026 and 2027, will help communities expand access to social services, modernize administrative and public service delivery, improve access to justice, strengthen primary health care and reintegrate veterans in their communities.

The launch of the partnership coincides with a joint Netherlands-UNDP visit to Nizhyn, Chernihiv Oblast, where representatives met with local authorities and community organizations to observe how the UNDP’s Area-Based Recovery (ABR) approach is helping municipalities plan, coordinate and deliver essential services during wartime.

Through this newly announced contribution, the Netherlands becomes a key partner in advancing UNDP’s multi‑sectoral recovery model, which provides integrated support across 11 regions of Ukraine severely affected by the war. The partnership will also reinforce the capacity of local authorities to plan and manage reconstruction and development in line with the national reform agenda and Ukraine’s EU accession process, including public investment management, community‑level planning and evidence‑based decision‑making.

Joost Klarenbeek, the Netherlands’ Special Envoy for Ukraine, emphasized that supporting Ukraine’s recovery at local level is critical for the country’s long‑term resilience. “The Netherlands stands firmly with Ukraine as it continues to face extraordinary challenges. Through this partnership with UNDP, we are helping communities strengthen the institutions and services that people rely on every day,” he said. “By investing in local authorities, social service systems and veteran‑focused recovery, we are contributing to a Ukraine that is stronger, more resilient and ready for its European future.”

Christophoros Politis, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine, emphasized that the new partnership comes at a crucial moment in the country’s recovery. “Ukraine’s communities continue to shoulder extraordinary pressures, and strengthening their ability to plan, deliver essential services, and support vulnerable groups is vital,” he said. “It is equally critical that Ukraine’s reform agenda – particularly decentralization, local governance, and public service modernization – continues to advance, as these reforms are inseparable from long-term recovery.”

The contribution from the Netherlands reinforces UNDP’s capacity to expand and coordinate multisectoral assistance through an area-based recovery approach, ensuring that communities receive consistent, high-quality support.

“This partnership enables us to deepen collaboration with local actors and sustain the integrated systems that are essential for an inclusive and resilient recovery,” Politis added.

Background

The EUR 6 million contribution from the Netherlands is part of UNDP’s ABR Portfolio, which focuses on enabling local authorities to lead reconstruction, manage returns, and strengthen resilience and reform processes. 

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