Ukraine and Germany are deepening cooperation in implementing business and human capital support programmes in Ukraine. This was discussed during a meeting between First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko and German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze.
During the meeting, the parties stressed the importance of mobilising private sector efforts to restore Ukraine’s economy. They also discussed the practical implementation of joint initiatives of Ukraine, Germany and international partners launched during the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC-2024) in Berlin. In particular, the officials of the two countries discussed the implementation of the SME Alliance initiative and the Skills Alliance programme for retraining Ukrainians.
“Germany’s support is invaluable. Since the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion, Germany has provided Ukraine with a total of EUR 37 billion in aid – the most of any European country. And it continues to support Ukraine, in particular through initiatives such as the Skills Alliance, which will help retrain 180,000 Ukrainians over the next 3 years,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.
Ukraine’s recovery will also be impossible without people with relevant professional skills. The Skills Alliance initiative has been launched to enable as many Ukrainians as possible to acquire new qualifications required by the labour market. The programme will also contribute to European integration efforts through the mutual recognition of diplomas obtained for such training abroad. It will be aimed, in particular, at strengthening the role of women, youth, people with disabilities and other categories of the population.
“Together with Germany, we have brought together dozens of countries, development institutions and international organisations to implement the Skills Alliance retraining project. The total value of the programme is EUR 700 million. The members of the alliance are ready to provide access to their training, to implement training programmes, for example for internally displaced persons and Ukrainians who have been forced to go abroad, to motivate them to return to their hometowns,” Yuliia Svyrydenko continued.
Next month, a large meeting is planned to be held where government officials and partners will work out specific steps to implement the programme so that Ukrainians clearly understand where and how to apply, what training is available and what they will receive after completing these courses.
The parties also discussed the progress of the SME Resilience Alliance programme, which supports and develops small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine. Currently, the Alliance has 33 members, 122 projects and programmes funded by 24 donors.
“Together with our partners within the alliance, we will work on deregulation and simplification of doing business in Ukraine, launching digital tools and services to support small and medium-sized enterprises, expanding access to finance and export opportunities, developing entrepreneurial skills and innovative potential,” summed up Yuliia Svyrydenko. (Government portal)