On April 16, an International Forum dedicated to recovery took place in Kyiv, gathering representatives from the Ukrainian government, international organizations, and local authorities. The main focus was on collaborative efforts to restore the country.

The forum was opened by Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction, Oleksiy Kuleba, who emphasized that communities are the backbone of the country’s resilience.

Kuleba also announced financial support for frontline communities — 1.5 billion hryvnias last week and an additional 1.8 billion this week. Participants discussed recovery strategies during the forum, with international partners confirming their readiness to provide further support, particularly through UNDP and Japan, which has already provided over 12 billion dollars to Ukraine.

From the Odesa region, the Deputy Head of the Odesa Regional State Administration, Andrii Fihiel, attended the forum.

Key highlights of the forum included:

— Communities are the foundation of resilience. They are the first to face the challenges of war, providing essential services and support to the population;

— The “Shoulder to Shoulder” initiative. Over 450 communities have united to implement joint recovery projects ranging from schools to healthcare facilities;

— Financial support for frontline regions. The government allocated 3.3 billion hryvnias for shelters, equipment, and critical infrastructure;

— International support. Japan has already provided over 12 billion dollars to Ukraine. UNDP and other partners are increasing their assistance;

— The DREAM digital ecosystem. Modern digital tools allow for monitoring recovery progress, overseeing projects, and enhancing transparency.

Unity is strength. It helps us maintain order, build future strategies, and reconstruct the country even in the most challenging conditions.

The forum was organized by:

The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine, UNDP, with financial support from the Government of Japan.