EIB and UNDP Sign Partnership to Accelerate Ukraine’s Recovery and Resilience
As Ukraine’s recovery gains momentum, the EIB-UNDP partnership stands as a model of collaborative, people-centered reconstruction.
In a significant move to bolster Ukraine’s post-war recovery, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have deepened their collaboration to accelerate the rebuilding of critical infrastructure and strengthen essential public services across the country.
Backed by more than €9 million from the EIB’s EU for Ukraine Advisory Programme, the new agreements mark a strategic effort to provide technical assistance that will ensure the efficient and transparent implementation of recovery and district heating projects. This initiative reflects Europe’s enduring commitment to supporting Ukraine as it rebuilds amid ongoing challenges to its infrastructure, energy system, and social services.
Rebuilding Communities, Strengthening Institutions
Over the next two years, UNDP will support the implementation of three EIB Recovery Programmes and the Ukraine District Heating Programme, designed to restore and modernize over 500 schools, hospitals, municipal facilities, and heating systems across more than 150 Ukrainian communities.
These projects are not just about reconstruction — they are about building resilience and restoring dignity. By combining EIB’s financial capacity and engineering expertise with UNDP’s deep local presence and operational experience, the partnership aims to deliver faster, safer, and more accountable reconstruction outcomes.
The collaboration is designed to provide municipalities with hands-on support, ensuring that projects adhere to international quality standards, optimize resource use, and respond effectively to community needs.
A Crucial Moment for Ukraine’s Energy Security
The district heating agreement comes at a critical time. Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has suffered extensive damage following months of Russian attacks on power plants and distribution systems. As millions of Ukrainians prepare for another harsh winter, restoring reliable and efficient heating systems has become a national priority.
Under this new framework, EIB and UNDP will help municipalities upgrade and decentralize heating systems, making them more independent, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient. This includes the installation of modern boilers, improved insulation, and renewable energy solutions such as biomass and geothermal heating.
By improving energy efficiency, the partnership not only enhances energy security but also contributes to Ukraine’s long-term goal of aligning with EU climate and sustainability standards under the European Green Deal.
Building on a Decade of Successful Cooperation
This renewed partnership builds upon over a decade of EIB-UNDP collaboration in Ukraine, during which the two institutions have jointly supported more than 100 recovery projects. These initiatives have helped rebuild hospitals, schools, water treatment facilities, social housing, and local heating systems — while simultaneously strengthening the institutional capacity of local governments.
The EIB’s long-standing presence in Ukraine has made it one of the country’s largest international financiers. Since 2014, the Bank has mobilized billions of euros in recovery and development assistance to support Ukraine’s infrastructure, energy, and social sectors.
For UNDP, which maintains operations in nearly every Ukrainian region, this partnership complements its broader recovery mandate — from de-mining and debris clearance to community governance reform and inclusive local economic development.
Global Endorsement and High-Level Support
The new agreements were signed in Washington, DC, on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Annual Meetings. The ceremony brought together top leaders, including EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle and UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu, in the presence of EIB President Nadia Calviño and Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
In her remarks, EIB President Nadia Calviño emphasized the tangible progress being made across Ukraine:
“Across Ukraine, every two weeks we are inaugurating new schools, hospitals and community facilities that bring hope and dignity back to people’s daily lives. I am encouraged by the opportunity to extend our partnership with UNDP to cover even more municipalities and improve essential services – from heating to healthcare, from education to housing – for millions of Ukrainians.”
UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu underscored the importance of combining global resources with local know-how:
“This deepened partnership with the European Investment Bank is vital to accelerating recovery where it matters most: at the community level. By merging the EIB's financial power and technical expertise with UNDP’s local presence, we’re not just rebuilding infrastructure; we’re helping communities build resilience through stronger local governance systems.”
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko praised the partnership as an example of international solidarity and practical cooperation:
“Ukraine’s recovery is built on strong partnerships. The support of the EIB and UNDP enables our communities to rebuild faster and deliver what people need most – safe schools, modern hospitals and reliable heating. This cooperation combines financial support, technical expertise and local commitment, ensuring that recovery efforts translate into real improvements in people’s lives.”
Delivering Impact Where It Matters Most
The EIB-UNDP cooperation is part of a broader framework under the EU for Ukraine initiative, which mobilizes European financial and technical assistance to help Ukraine rebuild in a green, inclusive, and sustainable way. The programme focuses on critical infrastructure, energy independence, climate adaptation, and digital transformation — all vital components of Ukraine’s pathway toward EU integration.
By strengthening local institutions, promoting transparency in procurement, and ensuring environmental sustainability, this partnership also aims to reinforce Ukraine’s alignment with EU governance and development standards.
UNDP will further provide technical support to monitor progress, train local officials, and ensure compliance with both Ukrainian and international regulations, making the reconstruction process more accountable and resilient to future shocks.
Looking Ahead: Rebuilding for the Future
As Ukraine’s recovery gains momentum, the EIB-UNDP partnership stands as a model of collaborative, people-centered reconstruction. Beyond rebuilding physical infrastructure, the initiative seeks to restore trust in public services, create jobs, and lay the foundation for a sustainable recovery that leaves no one behind.
The joint effort underscores a shared belief that Ukraine’s reconstruction is not merely about rebuilding what was lost — it is about building back better, with stronger institutions, greener energy systems, and empowered communities.
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