On June 11-12, 2024, the Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine was held in Berlin, which is the third annual event of this format. This year, civil society representatives were widely represented at the event: from participating in panel discussions to organizing their own parallel events.

Organized under the auspices of the Ukrainian National Platform EaP CSF, the discussion on the main conclusions and impressions from the conference aroused the interest of not only members of the platform, but also representatives of other public organizations, educational institutions, businesses, local authorities, and experts.

The event “Berlin Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine: Results and Future Plans” was held online on June 17, 2024 and was organized as part of the project “Supporting the activities of the Ukrainian National Platform of the Federal Government of Ukraine in 2024”, which is implemented by the Institute of Economic Research and Political Consultations with the financial support of the European Union.

Ruslan Havryliuk, the coordinator of the UNP, during his welcome speech, noted that the members of the platform work on a broad front at the international level on recovery issues.

Ihor Burakovskyi, Head of the Board of the IER, member of UNP WG2, noted the importance of considering reconstruction issues from the point of view of economic stability, and it is very important that the European Union is ready to help Ukraine economically as much as it will be needed, in particular through the Ukraine Facility.

Oleksiy Ryabchyn, Adviser to the Vice-Prime Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, emphasized the importance of applying the principle of build back better as opposed to the principle of build back faster. Oleksiy noted that next year he would like to have a “victorious conference” and to see not only planned, but also implemented reconstruction projects.

Olena Kravchenko, Executive director of the Ecology-Law-Human Organization, member of UNP WG3, emphasized the importance of ensuring the cross-sectoral nature of environmental issues, in particular through their voicing at the high-level segment. Olena also emphasized the importance of communication outside of official events: the conference became a platform for communication between public environmental organizations themselves.

According to Olena Pavlenko, President of Dixi Group, member of UNP WG3, the task of the conference was to get as much money as possible for reconstruction. And it succeeded, in particular for the energy sector. In general, the issue of energy was heard at almost all high-level panels or discussion platforms, because “it was impossible not to talk about assistance to the energy sector” under such conditions.

Olha Remeshevska, director of the Department of Reconstruction and Development of the Vinnytsia City Council, emphasized the importance of involving communities in events of this level, because participation in the URC was an opportunity for communities to exchange experience with other territorial communities of Ukraine, as well as establish cooperation with international partners.

Lyubov Akulenko, Executive director of the Ukrainian Center for European Policy, member of UNP WG1, shared her thoughts on what was missing from the conference. In particular, she pointed to the lack of emphasis on fundamental reforms, which will be extremely important when the negotiation process begins.

Lyubov Maksymovych, the Head of the “Women’s Perspectives” center, member of UNP WG1, pointed out the importance of gender issues in the context of reconstruction, and focused in more detail on the 10 steps of gender-responsible and inclusive recovery of Ukraine. The expert noted that gender issues should be cross-sectoral and sound at the highest level.

Summarizing the discussion, Nataliya Andrusevich, coordinator of WG3 of the UNP, who moderated the event, noted that it is important to start preparing for the next conference already, and the platform needs to take into account the results of this year’s conference in its activity plan.

The information was provided by Nataliya Andrusevich, Resource-Analytical Center “Society and Environment”, coordinator of WG3 of the UNP

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The event is implemented within the framework of the project “”Supporting the activities of the Ukrainian National Platform of the EaP CSF in 2024”, funded by the European Union and implemented by the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting.