Good governance and institution building

UCORD strengthens Ukraine’s recovery by empowering Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) to act as modern platforms for regional planning, investment coordination, and social cohesion. Operating in six pilot oblasts – Khmelnytskyi, Odesa, Sumy, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, and Volyn – the project strengthens RDAs through core funding, training, mentoring, and technical assistance. In 2026, a further five non-pilot RDAs were engaged to meet growing demand and strengthen Ukraine’s regional capacity to plan, coordinate, and absorb recovery and EU-aligned investments. UCORD connects national, regional, and local levels, supporting partner ministries (Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories, Ministry of Culture, and Ministry of Economy)while enabling RDAs to facilitate translation of national priorities into regional strategies and local implementation.

Implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Learning2gether2 is a Finnish-supported initiative that advances Ukraine’s EU approximation, supports the rebuilding of school learning infrastructure, and drives long-term education reform. By equipping young Ukrainians with the skills and competencies they need to thrive, the initiative contributes to a more competitive, resilient, and prosperous Ukraine.

Advancing the New Ukrainian School (NUS) reform with a focus on the academic stream of the upper secondary school level, the programme supports the educational sector in Ukraine through:

• Capacity-building activities designed for teachers and principals;
• The provision of classroom equipment for profiled schools;
• The establishment of comprehensive student welfare systems;
• Textbook and e-learning materials;
• The development of pre- and in-service professional development, ensuring teachers receive support to translate the new curriculum into classroom practice.

NIRAS is leading the technical assistance team, supported by Finnish partners, which will boost teachers’ capacity to implement the new curriculum; enable school infrastructure and management; and support education policy coordination.