Ukraine ranks 69^th (2010) in the HDI (Human Development Index) published by the UNDP, which annually monitors the social and economic development of countries around the world. Ukraine proclaimed its independence in 1991, setting out on a path of long-term, internal social, economic and political reforms. Due to our common border and Ukraine's geopolitical significance, the country remains an important regional partner for Poland. The right to  jointly organize the EURO 2012 Football Championship, awarded in 2007, became an additional stimulus for closer cooperation between government administrations of the two countries.

2010

Projects implemented in the framework of the 2010 foreign aid programme corresponded to the principal support areas for Ukraine, as defined in the Polish foreign aid programme, and consisted of  institutional development and promotion of good governance, local government cooperation, European and Euro-Atlantic integration (including reforms of the judiciary system, customs and border services, as well as rural development) and energy efficiency.

In 2010, 44 aid projects were implemented in Ukraine by NGOs, government administration, local government bodies and research-and-development entities. Moreover, the Polish Embassy in Kiev, in cooperation with the German-Polish-Ukrainian Association, implemented a project entitled, "Give the Children a Home - Reconstruction of Building No. 2 in the ‘Our Children' Centre." The aim of the project was to create and popularize an alternative childcare model in Ukraine. The project budget amounted to PLN 649 850.

The total cost of activities implemented in Ukraine in the framework of the 2010 Polish foreign aid programmed amounted to ca. PLN 11.9m

2009

In 2009, Polish development aid for Ukraine focused on the following areas:

• local government and territorial reform,
• strengthening central government bodies and supporting processes of alignment with EU standards (in the area of the judiciary system, customs and border services)
• economic reform (esp. aid in drafting laws on land sale and cadastre, implementing energy efficiency projects, support in FTA and Association Agreement negotiations),
• supporting agriculture (including phytosanitary issues, specialized trainings and internships for employees of agricultural organizations)
• supporting European and Euro-Atlantic integration activities.

In 2009, 75 projects were implemented in Ukraine, with appropriations of over PLN 9m.  Additional funds were transferred towards OECD and NATO-led projects.

More information on all 2009 projects can be found in the Annual Report on "Poland's Development Co-operation Programme" (see: Documents and Publications).

2008

Priority development aid sectors in 2008 included:

• local government and territorial reform (including regional and transborder cooperation),
• strengthening central government bodies,
• systemic economic reforms,
• social reform (education system reform, youth exchanges, pension system and health care reform, aid for homeless people and people with disabilities),
• rural and agricultural development,
• building civil society,
• obtaining EU funds.

In 2008, 96 projects were implemented in Ukraine, with appropriations of over PLN 17m. Additional support for Ukraine was provided in the framework of humanitarian aid (victims of flooding - PLN 1.5m) and transfers towards the financing of projects implemented by UNIDO, OECD, OSCE and NATO.

More information on all 2008 projects can be found in the Annual Report on "Poland's Development Co-operation Programme" (see: Documents and Publications).