On June 21 and 22, the international community convened for the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. Launched in 2017 as the Ukraine Reform Conference, this year’s edition held jointly by the UK and Ukraine focused on mobilizing international support for Ukraine’s economic and social stabilization and recovery from the effects of war.

Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration

Against the backdrop of the conference, Alinea supported the Government of Ukraine on the side event, Sustainable Inclusive Recovery: Fostering Community Capacity to Meet Local Needs.

“It is important to emphasize the key role in the restoration process of local civil governments,” said Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister for Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure Development

He went on to explain why building the capacity of this level of government to develop restoration plans is critical, which his Ministry recognized and implemented when regional policy became part of his scope.

Deputy Prime Minister Kubrakov’s keynote address launched an afternoon of expert insights into community-led recovery. In addition to nearly 200 people in attendance, more than 6,500 tuned in to the online broadcast – streamed in both Ukrainian and English and available here.

This session explored how to help communities recover while respecting decentralized governance. Moderated by Charles Duff, Alinea Vice President and Managing Director, panel discussions covered what it means to undertake and achieve an inclusive, sustainable recovery.

“We see engagement with local governments and civil society, as well as the participation of women, as key to Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction,” said Sandra McCardell, Assistant Deputy Minister for Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb Branch of Global Affairs Canada.

Sandra McCardell, Global Affairs Canada

Speakers and participants weighed-in on how the Government of Ukraine can ensure recovery works for everyone, and that revitalization considers the impact of today’s choices on future generations. Panelists included representatives from different levels of government, local governance associations, and civil society organizations – all working to establish effective cooperation for the efficient recovery and development of communities and territories of Ukraine.

“Inclusion is key to recovery. It is through inclusion that we can build a lot of components so we can make sure we bring people back to Ukraine,” said Oleksandr Vorona, President of Kyiv Municipal League of Public Organizations of People with Disabilities.

Mr. Vorona spoke on the “Voices of Communities” panel, moderated by Oleksandr Solontay, CEO of the NGO Agency for Recovery and Development – a project with the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative for an efficient recovery. Mr. Solontay also serves as the Senior Decentralization Advisor for the Support to Ukraine’s Reforms for Governance (SURGe) Program, funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Alinea. A key partner to the Government of Ukraine and on this event, the SURGe Program helps the Government to design and deliver governance and economic reforms, as well as improve management of the national reform agenda.

Tawnia Sanford Ammar, SURGe Project Director

“Recovery has to be a comprehensive recovery,” said Tawnia Sanford Ammar, SURGe Project Director. “We have to build back better, not only in terms of infrastructure, but in terms of social and economic development, governance, and anti-corruption measures.”

As part of the event’s concluding panel, SURGe Project Deputy Director Iryna Tushnytska spoke to Ukraine’s key governance reforms achieved before the war and why maintaining this momentum matters.

“We have the unique window of opportunity now to continue reforms that have been started in many areas like medical, administrative services, education, and others,” said Ms. Tushnytska.

“We have the opportunity and the call from society to continue these reforms.”

 

Alinea team pictured with Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration, left to right: Iryna Tushnytska, SURGe Project Deputy Director; Bob Francis, Alinea President & CEO; Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration; Tawnia Sanford Ammar, SURGe Project Director; Charles Duff, Alinea Vice-President & Managing Director

 

Key partners in the event included: