Skills4Recovery expands donor support for Ukraine’s recovery and European future

Skills4Recovery expands donor support for Ukraine's recovery and European future

Kyiv, 5 September 2025

The second Annual Conference of the Multi Donor Initiative (MDI) Skills4Recovery - "Workforce Development for Ukraine's Path to the EU" - took place in Kyiv.

The Initiative supports the training and re-skilling of a qualified workforce in sectors crucial for Ukraine's reconstruction and European integration. It strengthens vocational education and training (VET) providers, engages vulnerable groups, and fosters cooperation with employers to ensure that people across Ukraine gain the skills they need to rebuild their lives and the country.

The event brought together more than 150 participants, including senior representatives from the Ukrainian Government, the European Union and its Member States, vocational education and training institutions, employer organisations, civil society and international experts.

The conference marked a new stage of the Initiative with Denmark joining the European Union, Germany, Poland and Estonia as donors. This expanded coalition strengthens international support for Ukraine's recovery, resilience and progress towards EU accession. The event was held in a hybrid format with an online broadcast available to the public.

At the conference, partners reviewed the results achieved since the launch of Skills4Recovery. Despite the challenges of war, the programme has already delivered substantial outcomes:

• More than 2,500 people retrained since 2024, with a target of 5,800 by 2026.
• Over 70 VET providers have been supported through training for teachers, managers and recruiters, strengthening institutional capacity and cooperation with employers, as well as the delivery of 1,500 units of modern equipment to improve teaching and learning.
• 100 HR departments in private companies trained on how to recruit and onboard women, ex-combatants and other vulnerable people at their workplaces.

The Initiative has also contributed to Ukraine's policy reforms: it has supported the National Employment Strategy, upgraded the Education for Veterans platform (now offering 1,620 courses), trained 150 policy-makers on EU-regulated occupations, and established a sectoral education committee bringing together government, training providers and employers.

The conference featured three thematic sessions:

1. From skills mismatch to growth - with contributions from the State Employment Service of Ukraine, the National Qualifications Agency, the Confederation of Construction Companies of Ukraine, and the Federation of Employers of Ukraine, alongside labour market experts. Discussions focused on reducing shortages and strengthening sectoral cooperation.

2. Transforming VET for recovery and EU accession - with inputs from the Directorate of Vocational Education of the Ministry of Education and Science, the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine, the Interregional Higher Vocational School of Transport and Construction, the KfW German Development Bank in Ukraine, alongside the ENIC Ukraine. The session explored how VET institutions can align with EU standards and adapt to the new VET Law.

3. Up- and re-skilling for inclusive employment - with perspectives from the Ministry of Veteran Affairs of Ukraine, the Kharkiv Vocational College of Construction and Industry, the State Employment Service of Ukraine (Employment Policy Department), the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine, the Mentor Center NGO, and Ovostar Union. The session highlighted practical approaches to supporting veterans, displaced persons, women and people with disabilities in entering or re-entering the labour market.

The conference highlighted success stories showing how Skills4Recovery opens real opportunities - from Serhii Synylo at Chervonohrad Lyceum modernising the locksmith profession with robotic technologies and EU-linked internships, to ex-combatant Serhii Rymarchuk retraining as an agricultural drone operator and inspiring others to follow his path.

Looking ahead, Skills4Recovery will scale up nationwide with the support of the expanded donor coalition, strengthen sectoral skills agendas in construction, agriculture, transport, services and manufacturing, and expand inclusive employment opportunities for veterans, women, young people and displaced persons. It will also deepen cooperation with employers to ensure that training is demand-driven and support EU accession reforms so that Ukraine's VET system is fully aligned with European standards.

"Germany remains committed to supporting Ukraine's skills development as a foundation for recovery and EU accession. Through Skills4Recovery, together with the EU, Poland, Estonia and now Denmark, we are helping vocational schools to modernise, empowering teachers, and opening opportunities for people to gain qualifications that are needed today and in the future. This is how we contribute to building a resilient workforce and to Ukraine's European path."

- Jens Busma, Head of Cooperation, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ukraine

"By joining Skills4Recovery, Denmark brings its focus on building a well-functioning labour market so that more Ukrainians - including women, veterans and displaced people - can gain new skills, find decent jobs and shape the country's European future. This commitment aligns with our broader vision of enhancing Ukraine's resilience and strengthening the foundations for sustainable economic growth in Ukraine."

- Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, Ambassador of Denmark to Ukraine

"Skills4Recovery has become an important pillar in aligning Ukraine's vocational education and employment policies with EU standards. The European Union will continue to stand with Ukraine in building a modern, inclusive labour market that not only responds to immediate recovery needs but also lays the foundation for long-term growth and EU integration"

- Henrik Huitfeldt, Head of Section Public Finance, Business Support and Social Policy of the EU Delegation to Ukraine

"For Ukraine, this support is of exceptional importance. The resources we receive from our partners are a sign of trust and confidence in our potential as a state. Through the joint efforts of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and Skills4Recovery, thousands of Ukrainians will have the opportunity to gain a new profession or improve their qualifications, and thus secure employment, rebuild their lives, and contribute to the country's recovery. It is an investment in people that has a direct impact on our shared European future."

- Oksen Lisovyi, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine

"The Multi Donor Initiative Skills4Recovery shows how international solidarity and Ukraine's resilience can deliver real impact. The programme is scaling up from pilots to a national level. Poland also takes active part in co-financing and implementation of the innitiative - focusing on supporting initial vocation education. The programme equips more vocational schools, trains more teachers, and opens opportunities for veterans, women, IDPs, and people with disabilities. At the same time, we place particular emphasis on supporting young people who are not yet on the labour market, but whose skills will shape Ukraine's future workforce. This is an investment both in recovery and in Ukraine's EU future."

- Pawel Kost, Country Director, Solidarity Fund PL in Ukraine

"With Denmark now joining our European partners, Skills4Recovery enters a new stage. We are scaling up from strong beginnings to a nationwide effort that will touch every region of Ukraine. This expansion means more training providers supported, more teachers empowered, and thousands more people gaining the skills they need to rebuild their lives and the economy. It shows what can be achieved when international solidarity meets the resilience of Ukrainians."
- Michael Paulo, Programme Director, Skills4Recovery, GIZ

Background

The Multi Donor Initiative Skills4Recovery aims to support initial and further training of skilled labour in economic sectors relevant to the recovery process: construction, transport, agriculture, services, and manufacturing. The objective is achieved by strengthening the capacities of VET providers in delivering quality and market-oriented educational services, engaging vulnerable groups, as well as cooperating with employers.

The programme is financed by the European Union, Germany, Poland, Estonia and Denmark, and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Solidarity Fund PL (SFPL). It runs until June 2026 and covers all regions of Ukraine.

Press contact: Daria Stokoz, [email protected]