Kyiv, 9 September 2025 – The Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and funding from the Government of Japan, has unveiled two new educational products designed to strengthen integrity and accountability in the recovery sector. 

The products are the online course “Integrity and Ethics: A Course for the Ministry for Development Team” and the online simulator “Anti-Corruption Commissioners in the Recovery Sector: An Introduction to the Profession.” Both courses are now available on the Diia.Osvita platform, the national edutainment platform for up-to-date knowledge and skills.

The online course is aimed at the ministry’s newly appointed staff. It will help them to quickly integrate into work processes, familiarise themselves with internal regulations and procedures, and gain a clear understanding of the Ministry’s Code of Ethics and Anti-Corruption Programme. This will enhance staff awareness of integrity principles, foster a culture of ethical behaviour within the institution, and strengthen trust among colleagues and partners in the recovery sector.

The online simulator, in turn, is designed for the anti-corruption commissioners of the ministry and local self-government bodies. It models practical workplace situations, teaching participants how to make the right decisions and organise effective anti-corruption work. The tool helps commissioners adapt more quickly to their responsibilities, navigate national and ministerial anti-corruption policies, and improve the effectiveness of corruption prevention at the local level.

The educational course and simulator were developed by the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine with support from UNDP in Ukraine and the Government of Japan for the Diia.Osvita platform.

A launch event for the two new courses was held on 9 September 2025 in Kyiv, bringing together ministry staff, anti-corruption commissioners from the ministry’s management, and representatives of its subordinate enterprises, institutions, and organisations.

The programme for the event included panel discussions and a hands-on workshop focusing on integrity as a cornerstone of corporate culture in public service, the role of anti-corruption commissioners in creating a transparent environment, and the practical implementation of ethical principles in organisational activities.

Serhii Derkach, Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, underlined that the course and simulator increase the ministry’s effectiveness. “It is important for us that every newly appointed staff member immediately understands the values of integrity and ethics, as well as the requirements of anti-corruption legislation,” he said. 

“The online course and simulator provide a systematic approach to training, help staff to integrate into work more quickly and avoid common mistakes. This strengthens the ministry’s institutional capacity and makes our work more transparent to partners and society. These are the first courses at the level of central authorities dedicated to onboarding newly appointed staff specifically in the context of anti-corruption and integrity. We hope that such practices will be adopted by other institutions as well.”

Viktor Pavlushchyk, Head of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, emphasized that effective anti-corruption work is critical to successful recovery. “Transparent procedures and oversight of compliance with anti-corruption standards ensure that resources allocated for recovery are used efficiently and as intended,” he said. “This builds citizens’ trust in state institutions and creates the foundations for stable and transparent national recovery.”

Nataliia Aliushyna, Head of the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service, noted that integrity in public service is not an abstract concept, but a practical, everyday choice made by each civil servant. “Only through honesty, transparency, and accountability of public servants can we build a public service that earns the trust of citizens,” Aliushyna said. “And it is only together that we can establish the values that will ensure the resilience of our state and strengthen democratic institutions.”

Mizuho Yokoi, Programme Manager at UNDP Ukraine, stressed the importance of initiatives aimed at strengthening integrity. “For UNDP and the Government of Japan, supporting such initiatives is crucial because transparency and accountability are key foundations for Ukraine’s recovery,” Ms Yokoi said. “The online course and simulator will help public servants work with integrity, professionalism, and dedication, directly strengthening citizens’ and international partners’ trust in the recovery process. Anti-corruption must be at the heart of every step of recovery, and we are proud to support this effort.”

Background:
The Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, with support from UNDP in Ukraine and funding from the Government of Japan, is consistently working to raise integrity standards in its activities. In 2025, the ministry updated its Code of Ethical Conduct for staff and approved a Regulation on the mechanism for encouraging whistle-blowers of corruption.

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