How can Ukrainian business join UNDP projects?

The specifics of UNDP technical support for reconstruction projects were presented by Nadiya Bondarchuk, Technical Expert for UNDP Ukraine, during the thematic panel "Community Reconstruction Policy: 2024 Results and 2025 Priorities."

"Currently, UNDP supports many programs that want independent expertise and monitoring of project implementation, which are primarily funded by international partners," – noted Ms. Nadiya.

The expert detailed a number of UNDP programs:

• NCPV (Emergency Credit Program for the Reconstruction of Ukraine), which provides a 200 million euro multi-sectoral framework loan for the reconstruction of critical and social infrastructure objects;
• RVP (Reconstruction of Ukraine Program), which provides a 340 million euro loan for the reconstruction of infrastructure objects;
• RVP III, which provides a total loan amount of 250 million euros. Projects will be financed on a non-repayable basis as a subvention.

Nadiya Bondarchuk drew the participants' attention to the fact that not all projects under the RVP program have been launched yet, accordingly – developers can still participate in this program.

Ms. Nadiya detailed the selection criteria for RVP III projects, which include a project implementation period of 18 months, the need for co-financing from local budgets of at least 23%, and others. She also shared with the thematic panel participants the algorithm for project implementation:

• distribution of funds between budgets and projects by decision of the Government;
• submission of a Request for funds and procurement plans to the European Investment Bank (EIB);
• approval of the Request for funds and procurement plans by the Bank;
• signing of agreements on the transfer of loan funds;
• development of tender documentation (based on a template that will be sent after coordination with the Bank);
• submission of tender documentation for approval to the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine (Ministry of Development);
• approval of tender documentation by the Ministry's working group for compliance with Bank requirements;
• conducting procurement procedures, selecting a contractor, signing a contract;
• procurement of technical supervision (IE if necessary), selecting a winner, signing a contract;
• submission of certified copies of contracts to the Ministry of Development for further informing the EIB;
• submission of documents to the Ministry of Development to open accounts (signature specimen cards and supporting documents);
• preparation of payment documents (advance or payment for work performed/technical supervision/IE);
• submission of monthly reports on the use of loan funds through DREAM;
• submission of the document on commissioning.

Among the main areas where UNDP technical assistance is focused:

• engineering support and construction monitoring;
• procurement monitoring and improvement of financial management;
• ensuring transparency and accountability, preventing and mitigating corruption and related risks.

Participants also had the opportunity to hear from Nadiya Bondarchuk about key specific requirements for the implementation of RVP sub-projects, for example, restrictions on the estimated cost per square meter, requirements for tender documentation, etc.