The Government of Switzerland and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have announced the launch of a new $12.5 million partnership aimed at supporting Ukraine’s recovery and strengthening the resilience of partner communities in the Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Chernihiv regions.
According to a UNDP press service statement, the official launch took place during a joint working visit by the Swiss government and UNDP to the Kherson region, where the delegation met with local authorities, service providers, and residents to observe recovery efforts on the ground and discuss future priorities. The initiative will be implemented in 2026–2028 and will support the strengthening of local governance and public financial management, as well as the provision of basic services, improved access to social and healthcare services, support for social cohesion, and the reintegration of veterans.
UNDP noted that within its regional recovery approach, it works closely with communities to implement solutions that address reconstruction and development needs.
The partnership between Switzerland and UNDP will further strengthen this approach by supporting local institutions, improving service delivery systems, and promoting inclusive development that takes into account the needs of veterans, internally displaced persons, women, youth, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups affected by the war.
Jean-Luc Bernasconi, Director of the Cooperation Programme at the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, emphasized the importance of local-level recovery.
“Switzerland remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s development by investing in people and institutions at the community level. Through this partnership with UNDP, we aim to help local authorities deliver quality, inclusive services and create conditions for sustainable recovery and social cohesion,” he said.
UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Auke Lootsma stressed that through its regional recovery approach, UNDP works side by side with communities on practical and sustainable solutions.
“With Switzerland’s support, we are not only responding to urgent needs but also strengthening systems and scaling up solutions capable of adapting and ensuring sustainable progress across Ukraine,” he said.
