The conference was structured to allow the Ukrainian participants to present their current needs and challenges, while providing them with information about the European Union financial and technical support – the upcoming Ukraine Facility, the current activities under the New European Bauhaus (PHOENIX3 initiative), LIFE and Horizon, policy support from the Directorate-General for Environment – and inspirational examples of on-going LIFE projects and other initiatives.

Half of the 250 participants at the conference were Ukrainians, around one third from administrations at municipal, regional and national level, one third from business and one third from NGOs together with universities and research centres. They expressed their gratitude for the help being provided by the EU and its Member States and, for the possibility offered by the conference to present their needs and share their experiences.

At the opening, Commissioner Sinkevičius congratulated Ukraine for the progress made towards alignment to the EU acquis that allowed the Commission to recommend the opening of accession negotiation and emphasized the benefits of mainstreaming sustainability across all the economic sectors to improve competitiveness and allow for a better life quality for citizens. 

'I am here to show to Ukrainian political leaders and businesses that the EU is ready to support Ukraine to build back better with funding, with technical and legislative capacity,' said Commissioner Sinkevičius. 'We want to help Ukraine recover from the devastating impact of the war and reconstruct in full harmony with sustainability principles'.

After impressive visuals on the environmental damages of the war, the Ukrainian Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Mr. Ruslan Strilets, presented the overarching vision "Build Back Better, Build Back Greener". This vision underscored all the presentations of the Ukrainian mayors and the other Ukrainian representatives who are at the forefront of the reconstruction.

Comprising a policy and a business segment, the Conference took stock of the challenges ahead and discussed the strategies and concrete solutions underpinning a green recovery.

The policy segment, held on November 28 and 29, focused on setting out the overall challenges and addressing the main policy support measures to the green reconstruction of Ukraine to present the on-going implementation and the first concrete results of the PHOENIX initiative.

The business segment, held on November 30 and December 1, provided a business angle to introduce specific, applicable solutions, discuss systemic barriers to the deployment of a more circular and greener economy, and connect companies from the EU and Ukraine.

The conference offered in-depth discussions and networking opportunities for policymakers, mayors, business actors, New European Bauhaus community and civil society.

Have a look at the conference highlights in the recap video!

More information:

• Ukraine Green Recovery Conference presentations
• Greening the Ukrainian Recovery