On behalf of the German Government, GIZ (formerly GTZ) has been supporting Ukraine in its transformation process since 1993. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has been providing funds for development and for the reform process in Ukraine since 2002. After the Orange Revolution in 2004, cooperation was stepped up and has since expanded steadily. 

GIZ is currently working on behalf of five German ministries and the European Union (EU) in Ukraine. It maintains an office in Kiev.

Since 2004, the EU and Ukraine have shared a common border, so the country falls under the European Neighbourhood Policy. In 2009, the Eastern Partnership was set up to supplement and deepen this approach. The presidential elections at the beginning of 2010 and the resulting new Ukrainian Government have confirmed the course of convergence with the EU.

The German Government has reiterated its support for Ukraine in implementing the ENP Action Plan. Cooperation is designed to bring Ukraine closer to the EU and to make noticeable improvements to the political, social, economic and ecological situation, working towards sustainable development.

The upturn of the past decade was brought to an abrupt halt in Ukraine by the global financial crisis in 2008. There was a double-digit percentage drop in economic growth, and state bankruptcy could only be avoided by borrowing from the International Monetary Fund. The country's long-term development is also being hampered by the lack of comprehensive structural and political reforms. This is particularly obvious in areas such as energy supply, modernisation of the infrastructure, vocational education, health care and the reorganisation of public institutions. Moreover, as the country has the highest and fastest-growing HIV prevalence rate in Europe, the rapid spread of the epidemic must be halted.

German development cooperation focuses on three priority areas: sustainable economic development, energy efficiency and the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The forthcoming European Football Championship in 2012 may have a positive impact on many aspects of the projects and activities. On behalf of BMZ, GIZ is helping Ukraine ensure that these positive effects are sustainable.

Download

• GIZ in Ukraine
  uk-giz-ukraine-2011.pdf, 0.07 MB (Ukrainian)